New Graduate Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Hampton, VA

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 the company’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), and continuous quality improvement activities. Adheres to compliance requirements and patient care and administrative policies. Employees must obtain their nursing license and registration within the timeframe required by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever comes sooner. The position directs and monitors patient-care staff, delegates tasks, assesses staffing and patient-care needs, and participates in training and staff meetings. It provides and oversees hemodialysis care, patient and family education, laboratory processes, medication administration, documentation, emergency readiness, and facility safety and equipment maintenance. The nurse collaborates with physicians and the wider healthcare team and contributes to ongoing quality improvement and patient care planning. The role involves direct patient care in a healthcare facility. Work includes frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation. With assistance, the employee may occasionally move machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of five feet. The environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.

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 in the state of employment.
Maintain any required credentials or certifications in active, valid status and notify a supervisor immediately if credential or certification status changes.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Be able to perform the position’s physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; with assistance, occasionally move equipment up to 200 pounds and lift chemical and water solutions up to 30 pounds to a height of five feet.
Be capable of working in a challenging environment requiring multitasking, flexibility, and handling demanding situations.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Responsibilities

Direct Patient Care Technicians’ delivery of safe, effective chronic hemodialysis therapy and delegate tasks to direct patient-care staff.
Assess daily patient-care needs, develop appropriate assignments, monitor staff techniques and adherence to procedures, and participate in staff training, orientation, and meetings.
Educate patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet, fluids, medications, laboratory values, treatment adequacy, transplant and modality awareness, and catheter reduction.
Deliver and monitor hemodialysis treatment, implement prescriptions, assess patient response, adjust care as indicated, and communicate concerns or issues to the Team Leader or physician.
Initiate nursing assessments and ongoing evaluations; participate in all stages of hemodialysis treatment, provide access care, address adequacy or access-flow issues, and monitor and document transfusions and patient responses.
Review and enter physician laboratory orders, prepare requisitions and specimens, ensure appropriate collection, processing, packaging, shipment, and delivery, follow up on missed or insufficient specimens, and report abnormal results.
Enforce company policies and applicable regulations; maintain safe and effective shift operations; serve as a resource to staff; and communicate with the Clinical Manager, physicians, and other healthcare team members.
Transcribe physician orders, oversee patient information and treatment documentation, maintain the facility drug list, and assist with prescription refills and patient transportation as needed.
Maintain competency in emergency procedures, initiate CPR and emergency measures when needed, verify emergency equipment, support vaccination and TB testing requirements, administer and document medications, and maintain controlled-substance records.
Maintain a clean and sanitary dialysis treatment area, ensure patient stations and equipment are clean and properly placed, address blood spills according to policy, and operate dialysis equipment safely.
Ensure patient records and treatment data are accurate and complete, including daily treatment sheets, admission/transfer/discharge records, monthly CQI reports and progress notes, patient care plans, annual assessments, and standing-order reviews.
Maintain required credentials and certifications, regular and punctual attendance, flexibility, and the ability to handle demanding situations and multiple tasks; perform other related duties as assigned.