New Graduate Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Newberry, SC

About The Position

Functions as part of the hemodialysis health care team as a Registered Nurse Applicant, under the direction or supervision of a Staff Registered Nurse, to provide quality daily patient care in accordance with company policies, procedures, and training. Supports FMCNA’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, and commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program and continuous quality improvement activities. Adheres to the FMCNA Compliance Program and patient care and administrative policies. The employee must obtain a nursing license and registration within the timeframe required by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs sooner. The role provides and coordinates care for patients with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis. Responsibilities span patient and family education, treatment delivery and monitoring, laboratory processes, medication administration, emergency readiness, staff coordination, quality improvement, and accurate medical records. The position also helps maintain safe, clean treatment areas and ensures dialysis equipment is operated competently. The work is performed in a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. The position involves direct patient care, regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and occasional assisted movement of machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds, as well as lifting chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of five feet. Exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing it does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered. The position has no supervisory responsibility.

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 any credentials or certifications required for the position in active and valid status.
Ability to handle demanding situations, multitask, and remain flexible as needs change.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Ability to perform the physical demands of direct patient care, including regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, bending, occasional assisted movement of equipment up to 200 pounds, and lifting chemical and water solutions up to 30 pounds to five feet.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.

Responsibilities

Direct Patient Care Technicians’ delivery of safe and effective chronic hemodialysis therapy in compliance with facility policies and applicable regulations.
Delegate tasks to direct patient care staff, including LVN/LPNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Dialysis Assistants; assess daily care needs and make patient care assignments.
Monitor staff techniques and compliance with policies, participate in staff training and orientation as assigned, and attend required staff meetings.
Educate patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid management, medications, adequacy measures, laboratory values, treatment compliance, transplantation, and treatment modalities.
Provide safe hemodialysis care; implement treatment prescriptions, assess patient responses, adjust care as indicated, and communicate concerns to the Team Leader or physician.
Complete initial and annual nursing assessments and ongoing evaluation and documentation; participate in all stages of hemodialysis treatment, including initiation, monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-treatment evaluation.
Respond to changes in adequacy status and access-flow issues; provide, supervise when applicable, and monitor hemodialysis access care.
Administer and monitor prescribed interdialytic transfusions, document patient responses, and notify the physician and blood supplier of adverse reactions as appropriate.
Ensure Patient Care Technician documentation on Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets is accurate and complete.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician laboratory orders; prepare requisitions, ensure correct specimen collection and processing, follow up on missed or insufficient specimens, and package and direct specimens appropriately.
Report abnormal, alert, or panic laboratory results to the appropriate physician and forward results as requested.
Enforce company policies and applicable state and federal regulations; maintain safe and effective shift operations and serve as a resource to staff.
Meet routinely with the Clinical Manager regarding personnel and patient care matters; collaborate and communicate with physicians and other healthcare team members to coordinate care.
Assist patients with prescription refills according to policy; enter physician orders promptly; oversee patient information documentation and maintain the facility drug list for required stock medications.
Maintain competency in emergency procedures, initiate CPR and emergency measures when needed, and ensure emergency equipment is available and verified.
Ensure appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual tuberculosis testing; administer prescribed or algorithm-authorized medications, document assessments and justifications as appropriate, and maintain controlled-substance records as required by law.
Assist with patient transportation coordination when necessary.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area; operate dialysis-related equipment safely; ensure patient stations, machines, and chairs are clean and properly placed; address blood spills according to policy.
Ensure relevant orders, laboratory results, vital signs, treatment parameters, patient status, and treatment data are documented in the Medical Information System; implement admission, transfer, and discharge policies and verify Patient Care Technician documentation.
Review daily completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets and monitor opening and closing procedures, including confirming staff and patients have safely left the premises.
Initiate, document, and complete monthly Continuous Quality Improvement activities and reports; complete monthly nurses’ progress notes; maintain complete and properly identified patient records.
Review transplant status and follow applicable procedures; complete care plans for new patients within 30 days and for unstable patients as required; complete long-term programs when due.
Complete initial and annual nursing history and physical assessments and annual standing order reviews with physicians as required.
Obtain and maintain required credentials and certifications in active, valid status, renew them before expiration, and promptly notify a supervisor of a change in credential or certification status.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance, work flexibly in a demanding environment, and perform other related duties as assigned.