Acute Inpatient Apheresis Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Atlanta, GA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Apheresis RN provides direct patient care, spending 80% or more of their time delivering Apheresis treatments in accordance with company policies, FMCNA compliance programs, and contracted hospitals’ policies. This role involves diverse areas of practice including therapeutic plasma exchange, RBC exchange and depletion, PLT and WBC depletions, PBSC and WBC collections, Photopheresis, and LDL apheresis. The Apheresis RN collaborates with hospital or outpatient facilities to ensure quality care and a positive patient experience. Under limited supervision, the RN applies considerable knowledge to perform a broad range of tasks, including direct patient care in various apheresis modalities, performing scheduled, unscheduled, and emergency treatments, and initiating, monitoring, and discontinuing prescribed treatments and medications. The role requires high-level thinking for patient scheduling, ensuring adequate coverage, and maintaining a safe environment by adhering to infection control precautions and staying current with advancements in Therapeutic Apheresis.

Requirements

MUST HAVE DIALYSIS EXPERIENCE!
Current appropriate state licensure (RN).
Meet the practice requirements in the state in which employed.
One year of RN experience.
Demonstrated strong assessment skills related to the critically ill patient.
Successful completion of competency training course in theory and practice of Therapeutic Apheresis and related procedures.
BLS CPR Recognition.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Certification in Apheresis Nursing is highly encouraged.
Peripheral vein cannulation abilities preferred.
One-year of Apheresis or ICU/CCU/ED experience preferred.
ACLS CPR Recognition preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide direct patient care in multiple apheresis modalities, including therapeutic plasma exchange, RBC exchange or depletion, WBC and PLT depletions, PBSC and all types of WBC collections, Photopheresis, LDL apheresis, and therapeutic phlebotomy.
Perform scheduled, un-scheduled and emergency Apheresis treatments and other extra-corporeal therapies (Therapeutic and Donor) in the assigned hospital(s) or outpatient locations, establishing priority of care.
Initiate, monitor, and discontinue prescribed treatments and medication according to established FMCNA policies and procedures.
Give organized, concise shift reports for patients on as assigned.
Apply high level thinking skills to patient schedules to meet needs of more critical patients due to labs, MD orders, availability of access/replacement products or patient assessment.
Ensure adequate coverage of patient treatments and customer needs through appropriate scheduling.
Travel outside regional area as necessary to help with coverage of patient treatments to perform Apheresis or other extra-corporeal therapies.
Maintain a safe environment for self, patients and staff by following universal infection control precautions in performing patient care and handling of equipment.
Maintain current knowledge of the advancements in the Therapeutic Apheresis by ensuring that the apheresis LMS modules are reviewed and completed.
Assess patients’ responses to therapeutic apheresis making appropriate adjustments and modifications to the treatment plan as indicated by the appropriately credentialed physician.
Communicate problems or concerns to the Inpatient Program Manager, appropriately credentialed physician, patient hospital primary nurse and others as indicated.
Assess patients pre, during and post treatment to detect mild, moderate and severe Apheresis and non-Apheresis related complications, notifying the appropriate hospital personnel.
Responsible for the implementation, administration, monitoring, and documentation of patient’s response to prescribed treatment modality, including appropriate notification of adverse reactions to physician and blood supplier.
Deliver safe, effective care in a timely and efficient manner.
Report all new or unusual incidents, information, complaints or problems to the applicable Apheresis Managers and/or hospital personnel, tracking and documenting all adverse events in accordance with the Variance Reporting guidelines.
Accurately document all pertinent treatment information in the individual patient’s record (ACES) and the hospital record, as needed.
Complete appropriate training programs to successfully deliver specific patient care to a variety of patients.
Utilize the principles of growth and development to assess patient’s status, identifying each patient’s relative requirements, providing recommendations for the patient’s plan of care.
Implement physician’s orders and follow through appropriately.
Ensure patient confidentiality.
Assist in the evacuation of patients in the event of emergency, fire or disaster according to company and hospital policy and procedures.
Assist with, and perform all equipment preventative maintenance date confirmations, cleans and disinfects machine surface, chair, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments according to inpatient policies and procedures.
Conduct all tasks necessary for preparation for apheresis treatments or collections and documents where appropriate.
Set-up, monitors and discontinues use of Apheresis equipment, blood warmer and other equipment used for related procedures according to established standard operating procedure.
Assist with inventory control according to corporate and department policy, manufacturer recommendations and regulatory agency guidelines.
Manage and maintain supply inventory in an efficient and cost-effective manner, documenting all inventory control.
Perform all required pre-treatment apheresis machine alarm testing and documents information and equipment maintenance according to policy.
Operate all related equipment appropriately and safely and provide minor trouble shooting when necessary; efficiently utilizes supplies to prevent waste.
Understand, conduct, and document appropriately Apheresis machine safety tests/alarms tests, equipment calibration, machine safety tests, functional testing, and internal and external disinfection on all machines and complies with the documentation/notification standard per FMCNA polices.
Maintain a safe, neat, and adequately stocked supply and equipment area.
Report all equipment and supply problems to repair personnel.
Complete and document ongoing participation in QAI activities.
Responsible for reporting all new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, or problems to the Inpatient Program Manager and other parties per the Adverse Event Reporting requirements.
May be assigned to other in-patient care on as needed basis.
Act as a resource for other staff members.
Participate in staff meetings and mandatory continuing education as scheduled and participates in staff training and orientation as assigned.
Communicate effectively with physicians, supervisors, hospital staff, coworkers, patients and families.
Recognize and utilize opportunities for patient and family education specific to individual and family needs.
Maintain a positive working relationship with all company and hospital staff members to ensure effective and efficient treatments.
Review and comply with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies and procedures, local, state and federal laws and regulations.
Assist with various projects as assigned by direct supervisor.