Inpatient LPNLicensed Practical Nurse - LPN LVN - Acute Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Austintown, OH

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) works as part of the hemodialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy to assigned patients in an acute-care setting. Care is provided under the supervision and direction of a Registered Nurse and in accordance with company policies, training, treatment plans, and applicable state and federal regulations. The role performs dialysis procedures and related patient assessments, monitors treatment and vascular access, documents care in the patient record and electronic systems, reports changes or concerns to the Hemodialysis RN, and responds to treatment-related emergencies. The LPN/LVN also operates dialysis and emergency equipment, helps maintain a clean and safe treatment environment, reinforces education provided by the RN, and participates in staff meetings, training, and in-service education. Additional duties may be assigned by the Program Manager.

Requirements

Current appropriate state licensure.
Successful completion of a training course in the theory and practice of hemodialysis.
Successful completion of CPR certification.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Six months of hemodialysis experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse for assigned patients in the acute setting, as permitted by state requirements.
Perform technical aspects of dialysis procedures as prescribed and monitor treatments according to the current treatment plan and direction of the Hemodialysis RN.
Report and document new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, problems, changes in patient condition, and equipment concerns to the Hemodialysis RN.
Provide assigned treatments and help maintain a safe and clean working environment.
Participate in the Quality Enhancement Program, quality assessment and performance improvement activities, and process improvement efforts.
Set up and prime equipment for renal replacement therapies when documented competency and proficiency are established and as directed by the Hemodialysis RN.
Evaluate vascular access for patency; obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights; perform cannulation as permitted by state requirements; and report difficulties or unusual findings.
Accurately document patient treatment information in the individual patient record, including the hospital Electronic Medical System (EMS) and Acute Care Electronic System (ACES).
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are used for every treatment and record timely, accurate vital signs and treatment parameters.
Initiate renal replacement treatment according to prescribed orders, including setting blood flow and dialysate flow rates.
Collect and label specimens and ensure timely delivery to the laboratory according to facility policy.
Identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document interventions and patient responses, and report changes or unusual findings to the Hemodialysis RN.
Monitor vascular access and treatment pressures, intervene as needed, document findings, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, and report unusual findings.
Evaluate patients before termination of venous access; obtain blood pressure, achieve hemostasis, apply dressings, evaluate the patient before discharge, and report unusual findings.
Perform pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, weights, and vital signs, including initial identification, and report findings to the RN for documentation and follow-up.
Initiate basic CPR and respond to dialysis-related emergency situations.
Reinforce education provided to patients by the RN.
Safely operate dialysis-related equipment, troubleshoot when necessary, and operate emergency equipment according to procedures.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area and promptly address blood spills according to bloodborne pathogen control policies.
Attend scheduled staff meetings, participate in staff training and new-employee orientation as assigned, and attend scheduled in-service classes to maintain knowledge of dialysis practice.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Program Manager.