Acute Inpatient Licensed Practical Nurse – LPN - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Atlanta, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Acute Inpatient Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works as part of the hemodialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients in an acute-care setting. The LPN provides care under Registered Nurse supervision, follows prescribed treatment plans and company procedures, and complies with applicable state and federal regulations. The posting states that dialysis experience is required, while its experience section describes six months of hemodialysis experience as preferred but not required. The position performs technical dialysis procedures, monitors patients and vascular access, records treatment information in the hospital Electronic Medical System (EMS) and Acute Care Electronic System (ACES), and reports significant changes or unusual findings to the Hemodialysis RN. It also supports quality improvement, patient education, a clean and safe treatment environment, and emergency response. The LPN may set up and prime equipment for renal replacement therapies when competency and proficiency are documented. The role involves frequent, prolonged standing, bending, direct patient care, and regularly lifting or moving patients with assistance as needed. The employee may occasionally move machines or equipment weighing up to 200 pounds with assistance and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds. The work takes place in a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Travel between assigned locations and within the community is required; travel to meetings may also be required. No supervision is listed.

Requirements

Current appropriate state licensure.
Successful completion of a training course in the theory and practice of hemodialysis.
Successful completion of CPR certification.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.
The posting states that dialysis experience is required; the experience section specifies six months of hemodialysis experience as preferred but not required.

Nice To Haves

Six months of hemodialysis experience is preferred, but not required, according to the experience section.

Responsibilities

Provide assigned patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse in the acute setting, within state requirements.
Perform technical aspects of prescribed dialysis procedures and monitor treatments in accordance with the treatment plan and direction of the Hemodialysis RN.
Report and document new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, problems, changes in patient condition, and equipment issues to the Hemodialysis RN.
Provide treatments and help maintain a safe and clean working environment; participate in quality enhancement, quality assessment, performance improvement, and patient-satisfaction activities.
When competency and proficiency are documented, set up and prime equipment as directed for hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform vascular access cannulation as permitted by state requirements, and report difficulties or unusual findings.
Document patient treatment information accurately in the patient record, including the hospital EMS and ACES.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are used for each treatment and record timely vital signs and treatment parameters.
Initiate renal replacement treatments according to prescribed orders, including setting blood flow rate and dialysate flow rate.
Collect and label specimens and ensure timely delivery to the laboratory according to facility policy.
Identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document interventions and patient responses, and report changes or unusual findings.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as appropriate, document, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, and report unusual findings.
Before terminating venous access, evaluate the patient and obtain blood pressure; achieve hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, evaluate the patient before discharge, and report unusual findings.
Perform pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, weights, and vital signs, confirm initial identification, and report findings to the RN for documentation and follow-up.
Initiate basic CPR measures in cardiac or pulmonary arrest and respond to dialysis-related emergencies.
Reinforce patient education provided by the RN.
Safely operate and troubleshoot dialysis-related equipment and operate emergency equipment according to procedures.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area and address blood spills immediately under bloodborne pathogen control policies.
Attend scheduled staff meetings, participate in assigned staff training and new-employee orientation, and attend scheduled in-service classes to maintain dialysis knowledge.
Perform additional duties assigned by the Program Manager.