Clinical Specialist- Dialysis (Full Time, Days)

Nicklaus Children's Hospital•Miami, FL

About The Position

Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and supervises individual patient care for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients according to unit policies and procedures. Supports and upholds the Patient Bill of Rights and practices under the supervision of the Manager/Director. The Clinical Specialist serves as a PD subject matter expert for hospital staff and patients/families, coordinates and documents patient care and education, supports the PD program’s clinical and operational activities, and helps ensure compliance with hospital policies and state and federal requirements. The role includes patient follow-up, participation in nephrology rounds and quality activities, support for staff caring for hospitalized PD patients, and home visits as needed. On-call availability, off-hours phone support, and weekend assistance for new PD patients are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN).
Active, unencumbered Florida RN license or Multi-State Enhanced Nursing License Compact (eNLC) license, maintained throughout employment.
Active American Heart Association BLS certification, maintained throughout employment.
American Heart Association PALS certification, maintained throughout employment and obtained within two years of hire.
Complete the competency assessment tool within three months of hire in non-ICU settings or six months of hire in critical-care settings.
2–4 years of RN experience.
At least three months of experience working with patients on automated peritoneal dialysis.
Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and strong time-management skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.
Ability to apply evidence-based practice, analytical thinking, and service excellence in practice.
Ability to analyze and interpret data and use it to make patient-care judgments.
Availability for on-call assignments and off-hours cell-phone assistance with cycler questions.
Weekend availability to assist with new PD patients.
Ability to perform home visits as needed.

Nice To Haves

Previous bedside peritoneal dialysis experience.
One year of managerial nursing experience with pediatrics.
Nursing experience in a pediatric healthcare setting.
National certification, preferably within five years of hire.

Responsibilities

Assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and supervise individual care for peritoneal dialysis patients according to unit policies and procedures.
Communicate patient progress and critical findings or changes in condition to physicians and other disciplines involved in the child’s care; complete nursing assessments and reassessments as required.
Complete patient admission histories and discharge planning accurately, accounting for spiritual, cultural, developmental, learning, and psychosocial needs.
Plan, implement, and document patient care in collaboration with other disciplines and services.
Manage education program activities and products; provide education to staff, residents, and patients/families; and manage assigned forums, conferences, and projects.
Teach patients and families about kidney function and renal failure, PD, aseptic technique, catheter and exit-site care, weight and blood-pressure monitoring, exchanges, automated PD cyclers, dialysate choices, infections, and intraperitoneal medications.
Document patient and family teaching related to health needs, including disease, medications, treatments, pain, discharge, safety, nutrition, and skin care.
Promote safe care through thorough handoffs and infection-prevention measures, and support reduction of medication errors, procedural pain, and infections.
Secure PD catheters daily when applicable and within competency; monitor skin integrity and help prevent skin breakdown.
Write, update, and enforce hospital and CMS-approved PD procedures and policies.
Monitor patients’ home adaptation, including arranging home visits as required by CMS.
Arrange follow-up with the physician, RN, social worker, and dietitian according to CMS guidelines; educate patients about supplies and ensure appropriate inventory.
Coordinate proper equipment installation and maintenance through a Baxter contact agreement when required, and ensure yearly preventive maintenance for at-home blood-pressure machines.
Collect patient data and participate in monthly QAPI meetings; maintain Crown Web, NHSN, and monthly laboratory spreadsheets.
Schedule weekly appointments, make daily follow-up calls, maintain treatment and medical-condition tally sheets, and update the ADT spreadsheet as appropriate.
Create and maintain a training manual that reflects changing technologies and meets health-literacy guidelines.
Review daily PD logs and assist with dextrose choices, including on weekends as needed.
Attend daily rounds with the nephrology team when PD patients are admitted and ensure weekly PD huddles are scheduled.
Identify PD Resource nurses on each floor and provide education to keep them current with practices.
Follow PD patients during hospitalizations and assist floor nurses with PD troubleshooting and problem-solving.
Ensure the PD program complies with state and federal regulations; enter PD patients in NAPRTCS initially and every six months.
Obtain routine laboratory work, including adequacy testing.
Assist the hemodialysis unit as needed.
Participate in on-call assignments according to department and hospital policy; be available by cell phone after hours for cycler questions and on weekends to assist with new PD patients.
Perform home visits as needed.