Student Nurse Clinical Placement

Purpose and Scope

The Nursing student supports FMCNA's mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy and adheres to the FMCNA Compliance Program, including following all regulatory and FMS policy requirements.

The Nursing student functions as part of the hemodialysis health care team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse in accordance with FMCNA policies, procedures, and training and in compliance with regulations set forth by the corporation, state, and federal agencies. Responsible for the setup and operation of hemodialysis machines. Assist in the maintenance of a safe and clean working environment. Supports the FMCNA commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, including those related to patient satisfaction and actively participates in process improvement activities.

Duties / Activities

Nursing students must adhere to all facility and FMCNA policies and procedures. Based on the length of the clinical placement, the student nurses may perform all or some of the duties as time allows after they receive training in the specific functional area. Under the direction and visual supervision of an RN-P, the Student may:

Clinical placements for less than 3 months duration

Required Education:

• eLearning: Infection Control; Intro to Basic Dialysis; Intro to Water self-study, Blood Glucose Monitoring
• PREP Classes: Infection Control, Evaluating and Monitoring the Patient, Foot checks, water class

Allowable Duties:

• Escort patients to and from the scale
• Assist patient with washing access
• Vital signs, including weight
• Attend daily huddles
• Surface disinfection stations/machines
• Hand crank in emergency
• Lab preparation
• Internal machine disinfection
• Check for residual bleach
• Mix bleach water
• Check blood sugars
• Administer ONSP per order
• Pre initiation safety check
• RN Assessment/POC in tandem with preceptor RN
• Attend Care plan meeting
• Crash cart, AED, refrigerator daily checks
• Medication review with preceptor
• Attend QAI Meeting
• Attend POC Meeting
• Foot checks with RN preceptor
• Access assessment with RN preceptor
• Obtain pH and conductivity of machine
• Observe in Home Therapies
• Attend a clinic day in HT
• Attend a day at the access center

Clinical placement for 3-6 months duration

Required Education:

• PREP Class: Basic Access, Emergency Preparedness, Safety, Complications, Machine Day

Allowable Duties:

• Machine Set up
• Machine tear down
• Post treatment emptying
• Water checks
• Draw blood cultures and labs
• Lead a daily huddle
• Initiate or terminate a treatment on a patient with a mature fistula or graft only (preceptor to cannulate)
• Medication administration: heparin, lidocaine, and NS
• Assist on QAI team project with preceptor RN
• Preparation of dialysate

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Travel to regional, Business Unit and Corporate meetings may be required.

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.

The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients and assisting with ambulation. This position requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the employee must be able to bend over. The employee may occasionally be required to push and/or pull equipment, exerting up to 15 pounds of force. The employee may be required to lift and to lower solutions on a frequent basis of up to 30 lbs., and on an occasional lift basis up to 40 lbs., as high as 5 feet.

Relationships and Supervision

The clinical placement student cannot work under the supervision of a family member. The student cannot care for a patient who is a family member. Will be supervised by a Clinical Manager and Preceptor.