Licensed Practical Nurse - LPN LVN - Acute Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Oklahoma City, OK

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 acute care settings. Care is provided under the supervision and direction of a Registered Nurse and in accordance with company policies, training, state requirements, and applicable regulations. The role includes performing technical dialysis procedures, monitoring patients and treatments, documenting care, identifying and reporting changes or problems, and supporting patient safety and quality-improvement activities. The LPN/LVN may set up and prime equipment for renal replacement therapies when competency and proficiency are documented. The position also involves operating and troubleshooting dialysis and emergency equipment, maintaining a clean and safe treatment area, participating in staff meetings and training, and completing other duties assigned by the Program Manager. Work includes direct patient care and interaction with facility staff and physicians. It requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending, as well as lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation. With assistance, the employee may occasionally move equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and may lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds. The work takes place in a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Travel between assigned locations and other community locations is required; travel to meetings may also be required.

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 for assigned patients in acute settings under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, as permitted by state requirements.
Perform technical aspects of dialysis procedures according to prescribed orders, treatment plans, company procedures, and the direction of the Hemodialysis RN.
Report and document incidents, complaints, problems, significant information, patient-condition changes, and equipment issues to the Hemodialysis RN.
Support a safe and clean treatment environment and participate in quality-enhancement, quality-assessment, performance-improvement, and patient-satisfaction activities.
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, perform cannulation as allowed by state requirements, monitor access and treatment pressures, and report difficulties or unusual findings.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, including patient evaluation and identification procedures.
Maintain accurate and timely treatment documentation in the patient record, including the hospital Electronic Medical System (EMS) and Acute Care Electronic System (ACES).
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are used for every treatment.
Initiate renal replacement treatments according to prescribed orders, including setting blood and dialysate flow rates.
Collect and label specimens and ensure their timely delivery according to facility policy.
Identify intradialytic problems and provide interventions as prescribed by physician orders or directed by the Hemodialysis RN; document interventions and patient responses.
Discontinue dialysis according to established procedures; assess patients before termination of venous access, obtain blood pressure, achieve hemostasis, apply dressings, and evaluate patients before discharge.
Initiate basic CPR measures and respond to emergencies related to dialysis treatment.
Reinforce patient education provided by the RN.
Operate dialysis-related and emergency equipment safely and effectively, and troubleshoot equipment when needed.
Immediately address blood spills according to company bloodborne-pathogen control policies.
Participate in scheduled staff meetings, assigned staff training and new-employee orientation, and scheduled in-service classes.
Perform additional duties assigned by the Program Manager.