New Graduate Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Lagrange, KY

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, providing daily quality patient care in accordance with company policies, procedures, and training. Supports the company’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, Quality Enhancement Program, and continuous quality improvement activities. Adheres to the Compliance Program and patient care and administrative policies. Employees must obtain a nursing license and registration within the timeframe set by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs first. The role provides and coordinates hemodialysis care, patient and family education, staff direction, laboratory coordination, medication administration, emergency response, and medical-record documentation. It also helps maintain safe and sanitary treatment areas and ensures dialysis equipment is operated safely and effectively. The position requires regular, punctual attendance and the ability to handle demanding situations, multitask, and adapt to changing needs. Additional responsibilities may involve one or more departments or locations. This position provides direct patient care in a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. Work may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Physical demands include frequent, prolonged standing; bending; heavy lifting and moving of patients; assisting with ambulation; occasionally moving machines or equipment weighing up to 200 pounds with assistance; and lifting chemical or water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to as high as five feet. The employee 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. The position has no supervisory role.

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 credentials or certifications required for the position in active and valid status.
Be able to handle demanding situations, multitask, and remain flexible to changing needs.
Meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and lifting as described in the posting.
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 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 adherence to policy, and 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, adequacy measures, transplant and modality awareness, and treatment compliance.
Provide safe and effective hemodialysis care; implement treatment prescriptions, assess patient responses, make appropriate adjustments to the treatment plan, and communicate concerns to the Team Leader or physician.
Initiate nursing assessments and ongoing evaluations; participate in pre-evaluation, treatment initiation and monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation according to established procedures.
Intervene on changes in patient adequacy status and troubleshoot access-flow issues; provide, supervise when applicable, and monitor hemodialysis access care.
Implement 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 tubes, collection, processing, packaging, and delivery; follow up on missed or insufficient specimens; and report abnormal or alert results to physicians.
Enforce company policies and applicable regulations, maintain safe and effective shift operations, act as a resource for staff, and meet with the Clinical Manager regarding personnel and patient-care issues.
Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare team members to interpret, adjust, and coordinate patient care; assist with prescription refills and patient transportation when needed.
Enter physician orders and patient information into the Medical Information System, oversee documentation, maintain the facility drug list for required stock medications, and ensure records and treatment data are complete and accurate.
Maintain competency in emergency procedures, initiate CPR and other emergency measures when needed, verify emergency equipment availability, and ensure appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual TB testing.
Administer prescribed or approved-algorithm medications, assess and document PRN medication effectiveness, and maintain controlled-substance records as required by law.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary treatment area; operate dialysis equipment safely; ensure stations, machines, and chairs are clean and appropriately positioned; and address blood spills under company policy.
Implement patient admission, transfer, and discharge policies; review daily treatment sheets and opening and closing procedures; and ensure staff and patients leave the premises safely.
Initiate, document, and complete monthly CQI activities and reports; complete monthly nurses’ progress notes; review transplant status; complete required patient care plans and long-term programs; and complete annual nursing histories, assessments, and standing-order reviews.
Maintain required credentials and certifications in active, valid status and notify a supervisor immediately of changes to credential status.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance and perform other related duties as assigned.