CLINICAL NURSE I - RENAL DIALYSIS

Cook County•Chicago, IL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Nurse I is a professional care provider on the Dialysis Unit who is responsible and accountable for coordinating and providing safe, effective individualized nursing care for patients and supportive care to significant others, assists other professionals in implementing plans of care. Nursing care involves application of the nursing process and professional skills as appropriate to the standards of care and skills as a Hemodialysis nurse for patient care delivery. These activities require nursing judgment based on application of scientific principles of nursing, problem solving and teaching/learning. Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement.

Requirements

Must be licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Illinois
Current Basic Life Support certification (BLS) Must provide at the time of interview
Minimum one (1) year of acute care dialysis experience within the last three (3) years
Knowledge of using medical/surgical equipment
Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups
Emergency response skills
Accurate mathematical skills to calculate medications levels using weight, age, etc.
Ability to apply the nursing process and utilize technical skills for patient care delivery
Ability to make decisions under pressure
Ability to see and hear clearly (including with correction)
Ability to distinguish regular/high pitched sounds; discriminate source of sound
Ability to demonstrate rapid physical/mental coordination
Ability to use both legs, hands, and fingers
Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision
Demonstrates knowledge of and rationale for the safe use of equipment
Demonstrates an ability to effectively utilize the nursing process as a basis for delivery of patient care
Demonstrates knowledge in the current use of all forms and reports required in the day-to-day operation of the unit
Demonstrates responsibility for professional growth and development in maintaining competency in nursing practice

Nice To Haves

Bilingual

Responsibilities

Clinically provides individualized nursing care through the use of the nursing process
Performs a physical assessment prior to and following dialysis; particular care is given to the heart, lungs, abdomen, catheter site, general condition of the skin and the presence or absence of pitting edema
Develops a plan of care which is based on the patient's identified problems and needs with outcomes as well as short- and long-term goals
Reviews the plan of care to ensure compliance with the ESRD regulatory agencies.
Participates in the dialysis Multidisciplinary Team care Conference
Provides safe and effective dialysis treatments within policy and procedural guidelines including those for Infection Control
Obtains, reviews and implements Medical Orders for the treatment of patents according to hospital, department, and unit policy and procedures
Recognizes and takes action in anticipated or actual life-threatening emergencies which may arise as consequence of dialysis
Teaches patient and significant others facts concerning renal disease, prescribed treatments, medications and their impact on the patient's state of well-being, documenting this teaching is required by policy and regulatory agencies
Maintain flow of hemodialysis patients
Checks logbooks for compliance
Creates assignment for incoming nurses prior to arrival
Arrives early to set-up unit for plan of care for patients
Notifies / follows-up with physicians for physician orders for inpatients no later than 12 noon
Evaluates the patient's response to dialytic and other interventions on a continuing basis collaborating with others in the health care team to resolve and identify problems, revising the plan of care, goals and outcomes
Reviews and evaluates the laboratory findings for the dialysis patient
Participates in the Quality Improvement activities of the unit to ensure the quality and appropriateness of the care that is given
Assists in the maintenance of the patient schedule, making adjustments as may be necessary after consultation with the Charge Nurse and / or Nurse Coordinator
Assumes responsibility for clinical competency and continuing education as it relates to this specialty field
Attends hospital sponsored programs as well as outside seminars relating to their field of practice
Shares information learned at seminars with the rest of the staff on the unit
Cooperates and participates in research projects for the hospital or agencies regulating ESRD Care Facilities
Assists in the monitoring evaluation, establishment of levels, and the procurement of supplies necessary to dialyze the load of anticipated patients
Collaborates with the Charge Nurse / Nurse Coordinator or independently as required to resolve issues which may impact patient care or the efficient operation of the unit
Acts as a preceptor/ mentor to new employees on the unit during and following their orientation
Supervises new hires in the absence of the Nurse Clinician
Provides clear, concise documentation of the assessment, pre and post dialysis for each patient on the appropriate form
Reviews and countersigns all observations and subjective findings done by LPN's assigned to the team
Maintains a clear concise legible record of each treatment given to a patient on the appropriate form
Document all significant changes in the patient condition during the course of dialysis on the Progress Notes including the physician that such changes were reported