Outpatient Registered Nurse - RN

Purpose and Scope

Functions as part of the hemodialysis health care team as a Staff Registered Nurse to ensure provision of quality patient care on a daily basis in accordance with FMS policies, procedures, and training. Supports the FMCNA mission, vision, values, and customer service philosophy, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI activities.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs Patient Care Technicians' provision of safe and effective delivery of chronic hemodialysis therapy in compliance with facility policy and state and federal regulations.
• Delegates tasks to direct patient care staff including LVN/LPNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Dialysis Assistants.
• Assesses daily patient care needs and develops appropriate patient care assignments.
• Monitors patient care staff for appropriate techniques and adherence to facility policy and procedures.
• Participates in staff training and orientation of new staff as assigned.
• Ensures educational needs of patients and family are met regarding End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
• Provides ongoing education to patients regarding renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, and related health conditions.
• Provides safe and effective delivery of care to patients with ESRD, implementing treatment prescriptions including Sodium modeling and Ultrafiltration modeling.
• Assesses patients' response to hemodialysis treatment therapy and makes appropriate adjustments to the treatment plan as indicated by the prescribing physician.
• Initiates Initial and Annual Nursing Assessment and ongoing evaluation and documentation of patient care needs.
• Participates in pre-evaluation, initiation, monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post evaluation of patients receiving hemodialysis.
• Provides, supervises, and monitors hemodialysis access care according to established procedures.
• Implements, administers, monitors, and documents patient response to prescribed interdialytic transfusions.
• Reviews, transcribes, and enters physician lab orders accurately into the Medical Information System.
• Ensures appropriate preparation of lab requisitions and correct lab tubes for prescribed specimens.
• Packages specimens according to Department of Transportation (DOT) policies for shipment of blood or body fluid specimens.
• Reports alert/panic and abnormal lab results to appropriate physician.
• Maintains overall shift operation in a safe, efficient, and effective manner.
• Collaborates and communicates with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to coordinate care.
• Maintains competency with emergency operational procedures and initiates CPR and emergency measures.
• Administers medications as prescribed and documents appropriate medical justification if indicated.
• Maintains appropriate recording of controlled substances as required by law.
• Ensures a clean, safe, and sanitary environment in the dialysis facility treatment area.
• Ensures competency in the operation of all dialysis-related equipment safely and effectively.
• Ensures all relevant data including physician orders, lab results, vital signs, treatment parameters, and patient status are documented and entered into the Medical Information System.
• Initiates, documents, and completes ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities including monthly reports.
• Completes patient care plans for new patients within the initial 30 days or any patients deemed unstable requiring monthly patient care plans.
• Completes initial and annual Nursing History and Assessment physical.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. Requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the ability to bend over. May occasionally be required to move, with assistance, machines and equipment of up to 200 lbs., and lift chemical and water solutions of up to 30 lbs. up as high as 5 feet. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials. Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.

Education and Required Credentials

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
• Current appropriate state licensure.
• Must meet the practice requirements in the state in which he or she is employed.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of one-year medical-surgical nursing experience preferred.
• Hemodialysis experience preferred.
• ICU experience preferred.
• Successfully complete a training course in the theory and practice of hemodialysis.
• Successfully complete CPR Certification.
• Must meet the necessary requirements of Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
• Provide coverage at any or all area facilities as required by management.
• ICD-9 coding training.
• Nurses Technical Training.
• Must meet appropriate state requirements (if any).