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. The role provides patient care under the supervision and direction of a Registered Nurse and Hemodialysis RN, consistent with state requirements, company policies and procedures, training, and applicable regulations. The position performs and documents dialysis treatments and related patient assessments, monitors vascular access and treatment parameters, responds to treatment-related problems, and reports changes or unusual findings to the Hemodialysis RN. It also supports a safe, clean treatment environment, participates in quality improvement and staff training activities, and performs additional duties assigned by the Program Manager. Work includes interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, as well as desk and computer work. The role involves frequent, prolonged standing, bending, direct patient care, and regular heavy lifting or moving of patients. It may also require moving equipment with assistance, lifting chemical or water solutions, and travel between assigned and community locations or to meetings. The work environment is that of a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials may occur.

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 according to the current treatment plan and under the direction of the Hemodialysis RN.
Report and document new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, problems, changes in patient condition, and equipment problems 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 related to patient satisfaction and quality goals.
When competency and proficiency are documented, set up and prime equipment as directed for hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and perform vascular access cannulation as permitted by state requirements.
Document patient treatment information accurately in the patient record, including the hospital Electronic Medical System and Acute Care Electronic System.
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are used for every treatment and record accurate, timely 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 and provide interventions as prescribed by physician orders or as directed by the Hemodialysis RN; document interventions and patient responses.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as needed, document findings, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, and report unusual findings.
Before termination of venous access, obtain blood pressure, achieve hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, evaluate the patient before discharge, and report unusual findings.
Perform pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, obtain weights and vital signs, complete initial identification, and report findings to the RN for documentation and follow-up.
Initiate basic CPR in the event of cardiac or pulmonary arrest and respond to dialysis-related emergencies.
Reinforce patient education provided by the RN.
Safely operate dialysis-related equipment, troubleshoot when necessary, and operate emergency equipment according to standard operating procedures.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary treatment area and address blood spills promptly according to bloodborne pathogen control policies.
Attend scheduled staff meetings, participate in assigned staff training and new-employee orientation, and attend scheduled in-service classes to maintain knowledge of dialysis principles and techniques.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Program Manager.