Licensed Practical Nurse - LPN LVN

Fresenius Medical Care•Atlanta, GA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) functions 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, maintaining a safe and clean working environment, and supporting quality enhancement and assurance activities, including process improvements focused on patient outcomes and satisfaction. The LPN also supports clinical staffing and development through recruitment participation, orientation, precepting, competency evaluations, coaching, and ongoing training. In collaboration with nursing, education, and interdisciplinary staff, the position reinforces regulatory and clinical standards, facility safety, infection control, and effective communication. Patient-care responsibilities include assessing patients and vascular access, setting up and operating hemodialysis equipment, initiating and discontinuing prescribed treatments, monitoring patient responses, administering medications as permitted, documenting care, collecting laboratory specimens, and responding to emergencies. The role also performs machine preparation, cleaning, disinfection, supply management, and related recordkeeping. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. The position involves interaction with patients, staff, and physicians; travel between assigned facilities and community locations; possible travel to meetings; and potential exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. Direct patient care regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, and bending. With assistance, the employee may occasionally move equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical or water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of five feet. Assistance programs and material-handling 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 on reviews, with no recent corrective actions.
Meet the necessary requirements of the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
Successfully complete the FKC dialysis training program and CPR certification; continued employment depends on successful completion.
Obtain 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

Provide dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a registered nurse and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, training, and regulations.
Participate in recruitment, clinical orientation, precepting, ongoing training, competency evaluations, audits, coaching, and development of clinical and facility staff.
Collaborate with clinical and education staff to reinforce quality standards, regulatory requirements, continuous quality improvement, facility safety, and effective communication.
Support patient education concerning adequacy measures, disease processes, vascular access, end-stage renal disease, dialysis therapy, diet, and medications.
Welcome assigned patients; assess well-being, vascular access, vital signs, and weight before and after treatment; and evaluate patients during and after treatment.
Set up and operate hemodialysis machines, perform required alarm testing, program prescribed treatment parameters, and initiate and discontinue treatment according to orders and procedures.
Administer Heparin as delegated or permitted by state law and administer medications, including intravenous medications, in accordance with physician orders and state nurse practice laws.
Monitor patients’ response to dialysis, identify and intervene in intradialytic or other unusual problems as directed, report significant changes and incidents to the nurse supervisor, and document interventions and outcomes.
Perform vascular access cannulation; monitor access and treatment pressures; obtain hemostasis; and apply appropriate dressings.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests and collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange pickup of specimens according to laboratory requirements.
Assist with emergency procedures and initiate basic CPR measures in the event of cardiac or pulmonary arrest.
Participate in infection-control audits and education; monitor and reinforce staff and patient adherence to infection-control policies and practices under the direction of the Clinical Manager or designee.
Maintain a safe, clean environment; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments; clean blood spills with appropriate disinfectant; and organize supplies and equipment efficiently.
Complete accurate and timely treatment records, clinical application entries, quality assurance documentation, treatment-sheet reviews, patient charts, and laboratory requisitions.
Travel between assigned facilities and locations in the community; travel to regional, Business Unit, or Corporate meetings may be required.