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. The nurse provides and coordinates clinically competent care—including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation—for assigned patients receiving home dialysis training and treatment. The RN assesses patients’ responses to therapy according to prescribed protocols and communicates patient-related issues to physicians as needed. As part of the End Stage Kidney Disease health care team, the RN contributes to clinical decision-making, patient education, team leadership, and quality improvement activities that support patient outcomes and facility operations. The position’s duties are performed under the direction of the Supervisor, with guidance from an Educator or Preceptor, or in collaboration with another Registered Nurse. The nurse provides education and care coordination for patients and families, supports safe dialysis treatment, and trains patients and/or Home Partners to operate and maintain home dialysis equipment and supplies. After meeting specified training and experience criteria, the RN may oversee other members of the care team as a Team Leader or designated nurse in charge. The role involves direct patient care in a health care facility and may also require travel to training sites, other facilities, or patient homes. The work includes standing, bending, lifting and moving equipment or patients, and may involve exposure to infectious materials. The RN participates in on-call rotations and coverage arrangements, including night, weekend, and holiday coverage as required by program needs.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Current appropriate state licensure.
Current 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.
To receive assigned oversight duties as Team Leader or designated nurse in charge: complete all FKC education and training requirements for new employees, have at least 12 months of RN experience, and complete 3 months of RN experience in home peritoneal dialysis and/or hemodialysis.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting, moving equipment and patients, and assisting with ambulation; frequent prolonged standing and bending; occasional assisted movement of machines or equipment up to 200 lbs.; and lifting chemical and water solutions up to 30 lbs. as high as 5 feet.
Ability to participate in on-call rotation and coverage as assigned, including nights, weekends, and holidays when required by program needs.
May be required to travel to training sites, other facilities, or patient homes.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Collects and analyzes dialysis data for assigned patients, documents it in the medical record, adjusts or modifies treatment plans as indicated, and notifies the Supervisor or physician as needed.
Assesses and documents patients’ and families’ basic learning needs and provides initial and ongoing education.
Coordinates and provides safe and effective dialysis therapy with patients, Home Partners, direct-care staff, and ancillary staff.
Administers prescribed medications or medications under approved algorithms, and documents medical justification and effectiveness.
Initiates or assists with emergency response measures.
Serves as a resource for the health care team and participates in staff training and orientation of new staff as assigned.
Ensures laboratory specimens are collected, processed, and shipped correctly, and 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 a candidate’s home environment and evaluates Home Partner or family readiness and ability to perform home dialysis treatments.
Trains Home Dialysis patients and/or Home Partners in safe and effective operation and maintenance of home dialysis equipment and treatment supplies through the formal training program.
Completes CAP requirements to advance.
Rotates coverage with other licensed home therapies staff and participates in on-call rotation, including night, weekend, and holiday coverage as program needs require.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
May oversee LPNs/LVNs, RNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Home Therapy Care Team Assistants as Team Leader or designated nurse in charge after meeting the stated training and experience criteria.