New Graduate Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Norfolk, 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 FMCNA’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), 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 set by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever comes first. Provides and coordinates care for patients receiving chronic hemodialysis, including assessment, treatment implementation and monitoring, patient and family education, medication administration, laboratory coordination, documentation, emergency response, and collaboration with physicians and other health care team members. May direct and delegate work to patient care staff, support staff training, and maintain safe and effective facility operations and equipment. Completes required patient assessments, care plans, quality improvement activities, and records. The role involves direct patient care in a health care facility. Work may include heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and occasional movement of equipment and lifting of solutions. Employees may be exposed to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. The position requires regular, punctual attendance and flexibility in a challenging, changing work environment.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited nursing program within the past 12 months.
Obtain a 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 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 physical demands of direct patient care, including prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, and occasional movement of equipment and lifting of chemical and water solutions.

Responsibilities

Direct Patient Care Technicians and delegate tasks to direct patient care staff, including LVN/LPNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Dialysis Assistants.
Assess daily patient care needs, develop patient care assignments, monitor staff techniques and policy compliance, and participate in staff training, orientation, and required meetings.
Educate patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid, medication compliance, adequacy measures, transplantation, treatment modalities, laboratory values, and treatment schedules.
Provide safe and effective hemodialysis care and implement treatment prescriptions, including sodium and ultrafiltration modeling where appropriate.
Assess patient responses to treatment, adjust or modify care plans as indicated by the prescribing physician, and communicate patient issues or concerns to the Team Leader or physician.
Initiate initial and annual nursing assessments and ongoing evaluation and documentation of patient care needs.
Participate in pre-evaluation, treatment initiation, monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation of patients receiving hemodialysis.
Intervene when patient adequacy status changes and troubleshoot access-flow issues identified by OLC/AMP; provide, supervise when applicable, and monitor hemodialysis access care.
Implement, administer, monitor, and document prescribed interdialytic transfusions and report adverse reactions as appropriate.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician orders and laboratory orders; prepare requisitions, ensure proper specimen collection and processing, follow up on missed or insufficient specimens, and arrange appropriate specimen shipment and delivery.
Report alert, panic, and abnormal laboratory results to physicians and forward results as requested.
Enforce company policies and applicable state and federal regulations, and maintain safe, efficient, and effective shift operations.
Serve as a resource for staff; meet with the Clinical Manager about personnel and patient care matters; and collaborate with physicians and other health care team members to coordinate care.
Assist patients with prescription refills and coordinate transportation when needed.
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 verify availability of emergency equipment.
Ensure appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual TB testing; administer prescribed or protocol-approved medications and document administration and effectiveness, including PRN medications; maintain controlled-substance records as required.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area; operate dialysis equipment safely; ensure patient stations, machines, and chairs are clean and appropriately placed; and address blood spills under company policy.
Ensure relevant clinical data and treatment information are accurately documented in the Medical Information System and verify Patient Care Technician documentation.
Implement patient admission, transfer, and discharge policies; review daily treatment sheets and ensure opening and closing procedures are followed, including safe departure of staff and patients.
Initiate, document, and complete monthly CQI activities and reports; complete nurses’ progress notes; maintain complete and properly identified medical records; review transplant status; and complete required patient care plans and long-term programs.
Complete initial and annual nursing history and physical assessments and annual standing-order reviews with physicians.
Maintain required credentials and certifications in active, valid status and notify a supervisor of any change in credential status.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance, adapt to demanding situations and changing needs, and perform other related duties as assigned.