Licensed Practical Nurse - LPN LVN

Fresenius Medical Care•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) works as part of the Home Therapies dialysis health care team, providing quality home patient care in accordance with Fresenius Medical Services policies, procedures, and training. Under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse, the nurse provides direct care and administers intravenous medication to assigned patients in their homes, following physician orders and state nurse practice laws. The role supports the company’s quality and patient-satisfaction programs, compliance requirements, customer-service standards, and process-improvement activities. The nurse supports home dialysis candidates and patients through evaluation, training, ongoing monitoring, assessments, interventions, home visits, treatment reviews, and patient education. The position includes maintaining accurate patient records, supporting treatment and supply procedures, monitoring durable medical equipment, completing chart audits, reporting outcomes, and coordinating care plans and backup treatments with the appropriate manager and physicians. The role also requires working knowledge of dialysis equipment and water-treatment systems, troubleshooting equipment issues with technical personnel, participating in staff meetings and training, providing educational in-services, and serving as a resource to other staff. Work includes desk and computer tasks, interaction with patients and care teams, and travel between facilities, patients’ homes, community locations, and potentially regional, business-unit, or corporate meetings. The environment includes health care facilities and patients’ homes, where exposure to infectious or contagious materials may occur.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Practical Nursing (LPN/LVN).
Current appropriate state licensure.
At least 2 years of hemodialysis experience.
Successful completion of a training course in the theory and practice of hemodialysis.
Successful completion of CPR certification.
Ability to work independently to manage emergencies.
Must complete the Nurses Technical Training Program upon hire or soon thereafter.
Successful completion of the Staff Assisted Home Hemodialysis Home Caregiver Orientation and Training.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
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

One year of medical-surgical nursing experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct patient care and administer intravenous medication to assigned home patients under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse, following physician orders and state nurse practice laws.
Assist the Home Therapy Supervisor in identifying, evaluating, and training candidates for the home dialysis program.
Document patient training and treatment information in the patient’s medical record and Medical Information System.
Monitor, assess, and intervene in the care of home patients, including through home visits, additional training or reviews, laboratory studies, and annual studies such as X-rays and EKGs.
Follow patient supply and inventory procedures, maintain appropriate documentation, and ensure maintenance of durable medical equipment, including preventative maintenance and water analysis.
Perform monthly chart audits and report results to the supervisor.
Report patient outcomes to the Home Therapy Manager/Coordinator or attending physician(s), as appropriate.
Revise the Patient Plan of Care in conjunction with signed physician orders and under the direction of the Home Therapy Manager/Coordinator.
Schedule backup treatments when necessary in collaboration with the Home Therapy Manager and physician.
Participate in patient education regarding treatment options as assigned.
Maintain knowledge of dialysis-related equipment used in the program and field, including hemodialysis machines and water-treatment systems.
Troubleshoot equipment problems with technical personnel by telephone.
Participate in scheduled staff meetings, patient care conferences, and required reviews of the Patient Plan of Care.
Participate in in-service classes related to dialysis principles and techniques.
Provide educational in-services about home therapies to in-center staff, hospitals, or nursing programs as assigned.
Act as a resource for other staff members and perform other duties as assigned.
Follow company compliance, regulatory, policy, customer-service, and quality-improvement requirements.
Travel between facilities, patients’ homes, and community locations; travel to regional, business-unit, and corporate meetings may be required.