Home Therapies RN

Fresenius Medical Care•Erwin, TN

About The Position

The Home Therapies RN CAP 1 is an entry-level designation in the Clinical Advancement Program (CAP). The nurse provides and coordinates clinically competent care—including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation—for assigned patients. The role assesses and manages patient responses to home dialysis training and treatment according to established protocols, and communicates patient-related issues to physicians as needed. As part of the End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) health care team, the nurse participates in decision-making, teaching, leadership, and quality improvement activities that support patient outcomes and facility operations. Duties are performed in accordance with Fresenius Kidney Care policies, procedures, nursing practice standards, and applicable state and federal regulations. The role includes training patients and home partners to safely operate and maintain home dialysis equipment and supplies, assessing the home environment and readiness for home treatment, and coordinating care with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team. The RN works under supervisor direction, with guidance from an educator or preceptor or in collaboration with another RN, and must complete CAP requirements to advance.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Current appropriate state licensure.
Current CPR BLS certification or successful completion of the certification.
Meet the practice requirements in the state of employment.
Entry-level designation for RNs with less than 2 years of Nephrology Nursing experience as a Registered Nurse.
The job description’s supervision criteria specify at least 12 months of RN experience and successful completion of 3 months of RN experience in home peritoneal dialysis and/or hemodialysis before assigned oversight of other staff.
Ability to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including heavy lifting and moving equipment and patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, and bending.
Ability to move machines and equipment weighing up to 200 lbs. with assistance and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 lbs. as high as 5 feet.
Ability to work in a health care environment with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials.
Availability for on-call rotation and night, weekend, or holiday coverage as required by program needs; ability to travel to training sites, other facilities, or patient homes if required.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 1 year of experience as a Registered Nurse is preferred.
Home dialysis therapy experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform essential functions under the direction of the Supervisor, with guidance from an Educator or Preceptor or in collaboration with another Registered Nurse.
Collect and analyze dialysis data for assigned patients, document it in the medical record, adjust or modify treatment plans as indicated, and notify the Supervisor or physician as needed.
Assess, collaborate on, and document patients’ and families’ basic learning needs, and provide initial and ongoing education.
Coordinate and provide safe, effective dialysis therapy in collaboration with patients, home care partners, and direct and ancillary patient care staff.
Administer prescribed medications or medications in accordance with approved algorithms, and document medical justification and effectiveness.
Initiate or assist with emergency response measures.
Serve as a resource for the health care team and participate in staff training and new staff orientation as assigned.
Ensure laboratory specimens are collected, processed, and shipped correctly; reschedule missed or insufficient collections.
Identify expected outcomes and document and update nursing assessments and plans of care in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team.
Ensure patients are aware of transplant and treatment modality options.
Assist in identifying, evaluating, selecting, and educating Home Dialysis candidates and Home Partners.
Assess home environment barriers and the readiness and ability of Home Dialysis candidates and partners or families to perform treatments at home.
Train Home Dialysis patients and/or Home Partners through an organized formal program in the safe and effective operation and maintenance of Home Dialysis equipment and supplies.
Complete CAP requirements to advance.
Rotate coverage with other licensed home therapies staff as assigned and participate in the on-call rotation.
Perform other duties assigned by the Supervisor.