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 patient care in accordance with company policies, procedures, and training. Supports FMCNA’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, and Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), including continuous quality improvement (CQI) and patient satisfaction activities. Adheres to the FMCNA Compliance Program and patient care and administrative policies. Employees must obtain their nursing license and registration within the timeframe set by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs sooner. The role includes coordinating and monitoring patient care staff; educating patients and families about end-stage renal disease, dialysis, vascular access, medications, diet, fluids, laboratory results, transplant and treatment options; and providing and documenting hemodialysis care. It also involves laboratory processes, medication administration, emergency readiness, patient records, quality improvement activities, and maintaining a safe and sanitary treatment environment. Additional responsibilities may involve one or more departments or locations, as specified in an applicable addendum.

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.
Current appropriate state Temporary Permit.
Meet the practice requirements in the state of employment.
Maintain required credentials or certifications in active, valid status and notify the supervisor immediately if credential status changes.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Ability to handle demanding situations, multitask, and remain flexible as needs change.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, and bending.
May need to move, with assistance, machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of 5 feet.
Must 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 Patient Care Technicians’ delivery of safe, effective chronic hemodialysis therapy in accordance with facility procedures and applicable regulations.
Delegate tasks to direct patient care staff, including LVN/LPNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Dialysis Assistants.
Assess daily patient care needs and develop appropriate patient care assignments.
Monitor patient care staff techniques and adherence to facility procedures; participate in staff training, orientation, and required meetings.
Educate patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid management, medications, laboratory values, treatment adequacy, transplant awareness, and treatment modalities.
Provide safe and effective care to patients with ESRD and implement prescribed dialysis treatment plans, including applicable sodium and ultrafiltration modeling.
Assess patients’ responses to hemodialysis and adjust care as indicated; communicate patient concerns and problems to the Team Leader or physician.
Initiate and document nursing assessments and ongoing evaluations of patient care needs; participate in pre-evaluation, treatment initiation and monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation.
Intervene as appropriate when patient adequacy status or access flow issues are identified, and provide or supervise dialysis access care.
Administer and monitor prescribed transfusions and medications, document patient responses, report adverse reactions, and maintain controlled-substance records as required.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician laboratory orders; prepare requisitions; ensure appropriate specimen collection, processing, packaging, delivery, follow-up, and reporting of abnormal results.
Enforce company policies and applicable regulations and maintain safe, efficient, and effective shift operations.
Serve as a resource for staff and communicate with the Clinical Manager, physicians, and other healthcare team members to coordinate patient care.
Assist patients with prescription refills and transportation coordination as needed.
Maintain physician orders, patient information, medication lists, emergency procedures, equipment availability, vaccinations, immunizations, and annual TB testing as required.
Ensure accurate and complete patient and treatment documentation in the Medical Information System, including verification of Patient Care Technician documentation and daily treatment sheets.
Implement patient admission, transfer, and discharge procedures and complete required patient records and documentation.
Initiate, document, and complete ongoing CQI activities and monthly reports; complete nurses’ progress notes, patient care plans, long-term programs, transplant-status reviews, and annual nursing assessments and standing-order reviews as applicable.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area; ensure dialysis equipment and patient stations are clean and properly placed, and address blood spills according to policy.
Maintain competency in the safe operation of dialysis equipment and emergency procedures, including initiating CPR and emergency measures when needed.
Maintain required credentials and certifications, punctual attendance, flexibility, and ability to handle demanding situations and multitasking; perform other related duties as assigned.