New Graduate Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Morehead, KY

About The Position

The New Graduate Nurse functions as part of a hemodialysis health care team as a Registered Nurse Applicant, under the direction or supervision of a Staff Registered Nurse. The role supports daily delivery of quality patient care in accordance with Fresenius Medical Services (FMS) policies, procedures, and training, and supports FMCNA’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, and Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities. The employee must obtain a nursing license and registration within the timeframe established by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs first. The nurse supports and coordinates staff and patient care activities, including directing and delegating work to patient-care staff, assessing patient-care needs, and monitoring adherence to procedures. The role provides education to patients and families about end-stage renal disease, dialysis, vascular access, medications, diet, fluid management, laboratory results, and treatment options. It also delivers and monitors hemodialysis treatment, administers prescribed medications and transfusions, responds to patient changes and emergencies, and coordinates care with physicians and other healthcare team members. Additional duties include processing laboratory orders and specimens, maintaining accurate medical records, completing required assessments and care plans, participating in quality-improvement activities, and ensuring the dialysis treatment area and equipment are safe, clean, and properly maintained. The position requires regular, punctual attendance and the ability to handle a challenging environment with demanding situations, multitasking, and changing needs. Direct patient care involves physical demands and potential exposure to infectious or contagious materials.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited nursing program within the past 12 months.
Obtain nursing license and registration within the timeframe defined by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs first.
Hold a current appropriate state Temporary Permit.
Meet the practice requirements of the state in which employed.
Maintain required credentials or certifications in active and valid status, including timely renewal.
Be capable of handling demanding situations, multitasking, and adapting to changing needs; maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Meet the position’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and occasional assisted movement of equipment up to 200 pounds and lifting of chemical and water solutions up to 30 pounds to a height of 5 feet.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.

Responsibilities

Direct and delegate patient-care work to Patient Care Technicians and other direct-care staff; assess daily care needs, make assignments, monitor techniques and policy compliance, and support staff training and orientation.
Provide education to patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid management, medications, adequacy measures, transplant and modality awareness, laboratory values, and treatment compliance.
Provide safe hemodialysis care, implement treatment prescriptions, assess patient responses, adjust care as indicated, communicate concerns to the Team Leader or physician, and participate in treatment evaluation, initiation, monitoring, termination, access care, and post-treatment evaluation.
Perform initial and annual nursing assessments and ongoing evaluations; document patient care needs and ensure patient-care information is accurate and complete.
Provide and monitor hemodialysis access care, troubleshoot access-flow and adequacy issues, and implement and document prescribed transfusions and responses to them.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician orders and laboratory orders; prepare requisitions, collect and process specimens appropriately, follow up on missed or insufficient samples, package specimens according to DOT procedures, and report abnormal or alert results.
Maintain safe and effective shift operations and serve as a resource for staff; communicate and coordinate care with physicians and other healthcare team members.
Administer prescribed and PRN medications, document administration and effectiveness, maintain controlled-substance records, and assist with prescription refills and patient transportation as needed.
Maintain emergency readiness, verify emergency equipment, perform CPR and other emergency measures when needed, and support required vaccinations, immunizations, and annual TB testing.
Ensure treatment areas, stations, machines, and chairs are clean and safe; operate dialysis-related equipment competently and address blood spills according to policy.
Ensure medical records and Medical Information System entries are complete and accurate, including physician orders, lab results, vital signs, treatment parameters, patient status, and staff documentation.
Complete daily treatment-sheet reviews, opening and closing procedure oversight, monthly CQI activities and reports, nurses’ progress notes, patient care plans, long-term program requirements, annual nursing history and assessment, and annual standing-order reviews.
Meet with the Clinical Manager to discuss staffing and patient-care matters; enforce company policies and state and federal requirements; maintain required credentials and certifications, regular attendance, and punctuality; perform other related duties as assigned.