Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Reading, PA

About The Position

The Home Therapies RN CAP 2 provides and coordinates clinically competent care for an assigned group of patients, including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. The role may be an entry-level designation in the Clinical Advancement Program for qualifying new employees or may be attained through advancement from RN CAP 1. As a member of the End Stage Kidney Disease health care team, the nurse contributes to decision-making, patient and family teaching, leadership, and quality improvement activities that support patient outcomes and facility operations. The nurse delivers and coordinates safe home dialysis care with patients, home care partners, and facility staff; evaluates patients’ care needs and home treatment readiness; and trains patients and partners to operate and maintain dialysis equipment and supplies. Duties are performed in accordance with Fresenius Kidney Care policies and procedures, nursing standards, and applicable state and federal regulations. The position works under the direction of a Supervisor, with guidance from an Educator or Preceptor, or in collaboration with another Registered Nurse. The position involves direct patient care and may require lifting and moving patients, equipment, and supplies; prolonged standing and bending; exposure to infectious or contagious materials; and work in a health care facility or patient home. Coverage may rotate among licensed home therapy staff. Participation in an on-call rotation and work at night, on weekends or holidays, or according to program needs is required. Travel to training sites, other facilities, and patient homes may be required.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Current appropriate state licensure and must meet the practice requirements in the state of employment.
Current CPR BLS Certification or successful completion of CPR BLS Certification.
At least 2 years of Nephrology Nursing experience as an RN within the last 2 years.
To be assigned oversight as a Team Leader or designated Nurse in Charge: successful completion of all Fresenius Kidney Care education and training requirements for new employees and at least 3 months of RN experience in home dialysis therapies.

Responsibilities

Collect and analyze dialysis data for assigned patients, document it in medical records, adjust treatment plans as indicated, and notify a Supervisor or physician when needed.
Assess, collaborate on, and document patients’ and families’ learning needs, and provide initial and ongoing education.
Coordinate and provide safe, effective dialysis therapy in collaboration with patients, home care partners, direct-care staff, and ancillary staff.
Administer prescribed medications or medications under approved algorithms and document medical justification and effectiveness.
Initiate or assist with emergency response measures.
Serve as a resource, leader, coach, mentor, and role model for new and incumbent employees.
Ensure laboratory specimens are collected, processed, and shipped correctly, and 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 with identifying, evaluating, selecting, and educating Home Dialysis candidates and Home Partners.
Assess barriers in candidates’ home environments and evaluate the readiness and ability of partners or family members to perform home dialysis.
Train home dialysis patients and Home Partners in the safe and effective operation and maintenance of home dialysis equipment and treatment supplies through the standardized training program.
Participate in facility- and area-level education and quality improvement projects as directed by the Supervisor.
May serve as a Preceptor to new employees.
Complete CAP requirements to maintain or advance in the program.
May oversee RNs, LPNs/LVNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Home Therapies Care Team Assistants as a Team Leader or designated Nurse in Charge after meeting the stated training and experience conditions.
Perform other duties assigned by the Supervisor.