Charge Registered Nurse - RN

Fresenius Medical Care•Brandon, FL

About The Position

The Charge Registered Nurse functions as the hemodialysis team leader in providing chronic hemodialysis care and treatment. The role provides day-to-day direction and supervision to assigned direct patient care staff and works with physicians and other healthcare team members to interpret, adjust, and complete patient care plans. The nurse ensures safe and effective patient care in compliance with facility procedures and applicable company, state, and federal requirements, and supports Fresenius Medical Care’s mission, vision, values, and customer service philosophy and compliance program. Responsibilities include guiding, training, and observing staff; contributing to staffing and personnel matters; maintaining shift operations; participating in patient care planning and quality assurance; supervising patient documentation and care; and coordinating with the Clinical Manager and relief Charge Nurses. The role assesses patient needs, oversees dialysis treatment, responds to emergencies, administers prescribed medications, educates patients and families, and supervises completion of care plans. It also oversees safe use of dialysis and emergency equipment, performs required equipment checks, and completes technical training. The position may include travel between assigned facilities and community locations, with possible travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing (R.N.).
Current appropriate state licensure and compliance with applicable state requirements.
At least 9 months of nursing experience and an additional 3 months of clinical experience in dialysis.
Charge Nurses assuming responsibility for nursing and patient services in the Clinical Manager’s absence must have one year of clinical experience and six months of dialysis experience.
Successfully complete a training course in the theory and practice of hemodialysis.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Employees are required to take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory or management experience.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day guidance, support, and direction to direct patient care staff, including ongoing feedback and input for annual performance evaluations.
Participate in department staffing and appropriate hiring, firing, and disciplinary actions; recommend disciplinary action to the Clinical Manager and initiate it as appropriate.
Ensure compliance with company and facility policies and procedures and applicable state and federal regulations.
Approve or disapprove staff time or schedule changes in the Clinical Manager’s absence, ensuring compliance with requirements for documenting staff work hours.
Participate in patient care plan meetings and maintain knowledge of current dialysis practices by attending scheduled in-services.
Train and orient staff as necessary, and routinely observe and guide staff on appropriate techniques and adherence to facility policies and procedures.
Promote compliance with OSHA programs and maintain a safe, clean, efficient, and effective shift operation.
Conduct staff meetings with the Clinical Manager at least monthly or as needed, and meet routinely with the Clinical Manager about personnel and patient care matters.
Supervise documentation of patient information and coordinate Charge Nurse duties with Staff RNs serving in relief charge capacity.
Assess daily patient care needs and distribute patient care assignments appropriately.
Assume primary responsibility in emergency situations.
Assess patient needs and responses to dialysis, communicate concerns to the rounding physician, and implement directed changes to patient care or treatment.
Monitor and supervise patient care during dialysis and assist as needed; collaborate with the direct patient care team on care decisions.
Monitor patients for problems and potential dialysis-related complications.
Administer medications in accordance with physician orders.
Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for staff.
Supervise and participate in completing short- and long-term care plans and admit new patients according to facility procedure.
Ensure patient education needs are met and educate patients and families about End Stage Renal Disease, dialysis therapy, diet, and medication.
Supervise safe and effective use of equipment involved in direct patient care; operate dialysis-related and emergency equipment when needed.
Perform required equipment testing and verification and initial start-up and shut-down checklists as described in the Technical Services Manual.
Complete the Nurse’s Technical Training Program and Water Quality Facility Training.
Assist with special projects and other duties assigned by the Clinical Manager; assist with interviewing potential direct patient care staff when requested.
Promote efficient use of medical supplies and attend and participate in monthly Quality Assurance meetings.
Travel between assigned facilities and community locations; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.