Licensed Practical Nurse - LPN LVN

Fresenius Medical Care•Atlanta, GA

11d

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) works as a member of the hemodialysis health care team, providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a registered nurse and in accordance with Fresenius Kidney Care policies, procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The role participates in implementing and evaluating patient care and helps maintain a safe, clean work environment. It also supports quality enhancement and assurance activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement. The position contributes to clinical staff recruitment, orientation, training, competency evaluation, coaching, and development. It works with clinical leadership and interdisciplinary staff to promote education, regulatory compliance, quality standards, facility safety, and infection control. Patient-care duties include assessing patients and vascular access, preparing and operating hemodialysis equipment, initiating and monitoring treatment, administering medications as permitted, responding to treatment issues and emergencies, documenting care, collecting laboratory specimens, and helping educate patients and families. The LPN/LVN also performs machine and treatment-area cleaning, safety checks, supply preparation, and related recordkeeping. The work includes desk and computer tasks and interaction with patients, staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The healthcare work environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care involves regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, and bending. With assistance, the employee may occasionally move machines or equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical or water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to heights of up to five feet. A two-person assist program and material-assist devices are available for heavier items.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Practical Nursing (LPN/LVN).
Current appropriate state licensure.
Attend and actively participate in applicable preceptor training programs established by the Regional Education Manager.
Attend FKC and publicly offered skill-based training as assigned by the Clinical Manager.
History of high performance, measured by no lower than a commendable performance evaluation rating and no recent corrective actions.
Meet the necessary requirements of the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
Successful completion of the FKC dialysis training program and CPR certification are conditions of continued employment.
Intravenous certification if required by the State Nurse Practice Act.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.
Participation in Leading with Values and Patient Experience workshops is desired.

Responsibilities

Participate in recruitment, clinical orientation, precepting, ongoing training, competency evaluations, and coaching for applicable clinical and facility staff.
Collaborate with clinical managers, education coordinators, registered nurses, and interdisciplinary team members on staff education, regulatory requirements, quality standards, facility safety, and continuous quality improvement.
Monitor care delivery through Quality Assurance Indicator activities and support patient satisfaction and process improvement initiatives.
Educate patients and families, with other healthcare team members, about kidney disease, dialysis therapy, adequacy measures, vascular access, diet, and medications.
Welcome assigned patients and assess their well-being, vascular access, vital signs, weight, and readiness for treatment.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines; perform required pre-treatment alarm testing; program and initiate treatment according to prescribed orders; and ensure safety alarms are enabled.
Monitor patients and vascular access during treatment, evaluate and address intradialytic problems as directed, and report and document changes or unusual findings to the nurse supervisor.
Discontinue dialysis treatment according to established procedures, assess patients before discharge, obtain hemostasis, and apply appropriate dressings.
Administer Heparin as delegated or permitted by state law and administer medications, including intravenous medications, according to physician orders and applicable nurse practice laws.
Perform and document pre- and post-dialysis assessments, vital signs, weights, treatment parameters, interventions, and patient responses.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; prepare, label, store, and arrange collection of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Assist with emergency operational procedures, initiate basic CPR in cardiac or pulmonary arrest, and respond to dialysis-related emergencies.
Support infection control audits and practices, monitor adherence under clinical management direction, and reinforce infection-control education for staff, patients, and families.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; promptly clean blood spills; and organize supplies and equipment to prevent waste.
Complete quality assurance and clinical recordkeeping, including treatment data, treatment sheets, progress notes where applicable, patient charts, and laboratory requisitions; review records for completeness and corrections.