Home Therapies RN

Fresenius Medical Care•Lexington, KY

About The Position

The Home Therapies RN CAP 1 is an entry-level designation in the Clinical Advancement Program. This registered professional nurse provides and coordinates clinically competent care for assigned patients, including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. The RN assesses and manages patients’ responses to home dialysis training and treatment according to prescribed protocols and communicates patient-related issues to the physician as needed. As part of the End Stage Kidney Disease health care team, the RN participates in decision-making, teaching, leadership, and quality improvement activities that support patient outcomes and facility operations. The position performs duties under Supervisor direction, with guidance from an Educator or Preceptor or in collaboration with another Registered Nurse. It includes patient and family education, safe delivery of home dialysis therapy, documentation and care-plan updates, laboratory coordination, equipment training, and support for home dialysis candidate selection. The RN may provide assigned oversight of other clinical team members as a Team Leader or nurse in charge after meeting specified training and experience requirements. Work includes direct patient care in a health care facility and may also take place in patient homes or other facilities. The role involves regular lifting and movement of patients and equipment, frequent prolonged standing and bending, possible exposure to infectious materials, and participation in an on-call rotation. Travel may be required.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Current appropriate state licensure.
Current CPR BLS Certification or successful completion of CPR BLS Certification.
Must meet 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.
Must complete CAP requirements to advance.
For assigned oversight as a Team Leader or designated nurse in charge: successful completion of all FKC education and training requirements for new employees, at least 12 months’ experience as an RN, and 3 months’ experience as an RN in home peritoneal dialysis and/or hemodialysis.

Nice To Haves

At least 1 year of experience as a Registered Nurse (preferred).
Home dialysis therapy experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

Collects and analyzes dialysis data for assigned patients, documents findings, adjusts or modifies treatment plans as indicated, and notifies the Supervisor or physician as needed.
Assesses and documents patients’ and families’ learning needs and provides initial and ongoing education.
Coordinates and provides safe and effective dialysis therapy in collaboration with patients, home care partners, and direct and ancillary care staff.
Administers prescribed medications or medications according to approved algorithms and documents medical justification and effectiveness.
Initiates or assists with emergency response measures.
Serves as a resource to the health care team and participates in staff training and new-staff orientation as assigned.
Ensures laboratory specimens are collected, processed, and shipped correctly; reschedules missed or insufficient collections.
Identifies expected outcomes and documents and updates nursing assessments and plans of care in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team.
Ensures patients are aware of transplant and treatment modality options.
Assists in identifying, evaluating, selecting, and educating Home Dialysis candidates and Home Partners.
Assesses barriers in candidates’ home environments and evaluates partner or family readiness and ability to perform home dialysis.
Trains Home Dialysis patients and/or Home Partners in safe, effective operation and maintenance of home dialysis equipment and supplies through a formal training program.
Completes CAP requirements to advance.
Performs other duties assigned by the Supervisor.
Rotates coverage with other licensed home therapies staff as assigned.
May provide assigned oversight of LPNs/LVNs, RNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Home Therapy Care Team Assistants after completing required training and experience.