New Graduate Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Franklin, VA

18d

About The Position

Functions as part of a 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, and continuous quality improvement activities. Employees must obtain a nursing license and registration within the timeframe required by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs sooner. The position involves coordinating and monitoring staff and patient care, educating patients and families about end-stage renal disease and dialysis, providing and monitoring hemodialysis treatment, handling laboratory-related tasks, and maintaining accurate clinical records. The nurse also helps maintain safe facility operations, equipment, emergency readiness, and compliance with applicable policies and regulations. Additional duties may include department- or location-specific functions. This is a direct-patient-care role in a healthcare facility. Work may involve heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, bending, and occasionally moving equipment with assistance. The environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. An Ishihara color blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failure does not automatically 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 and valid status, including renewals before expiration.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Ability to handle demanding situations, multitask, and remain flexible as needs change.
Ability to perform the physical demands of direct patient care, including prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and occasionally moving equipment with assistance.
Complete the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.

Responsibilities

Direct and monitor patient care staff, delegate tasks, assess daily care needs, and develop patient care assignments.
Participate in staff training, new-staff orientation, and required staff meetings.
Educate patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid, medications, laboratory values, transplant and treatment modality awareness, and adequacy measures.
Provide safe hemodialysis care and implement prescribed treatment plans, including sodium and ultrafiltration modeling when applicable.
Assess patient responses to treatment, adjust care as indicated by the prescribing physician, and communicate patient concerns to the Team Leader or physician.
Initiate and complete nursing assessments and ongoing evaluations and documentation of patient care needs.
Participate in pre-evaluation, treatment initiation and monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation for hemodialysis patients.
Intervene when adequacy status changes or access-flow issues are identified, and provide, supervise when applicable, and monitor hemodialysis access care.
Implement and monitor prescribed interdialytic transfusions and report adverse reactions appropriately.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician laboratory orders; prepare requisitions; ensure proper specimen collection, processing, packaging, and delivery; follow up on missed or insufficient specimens; and report abnormal results.
Enforce company policies and applicable state and federal requirements, and maintain safe, efficient, and effective shift operations.
Serve as a resource for staff; meet with the Clinical Manager; and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare team members to coordinate patient care.
Assist patients with prescription refills and transportation coordination when necessary.
Maintain patient information and physician orders in the Medical Information System, oversee 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.
Ensure vaccinations, immunizations, and annual TB testing; administer and document prescribed medications, including PRN medications and controlled substances.
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 according to policy.
Document relevant clinical data and ensure patient treatment data and Patient Care Technician documentation are complete and accurate.
Review daily Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets and ensure opening and closing procedures are followed, including confirming staff and patients have safely left the premises.
Initiate and document monthly CQI activities and reports, complete nurses’ progress notes, maintain complete medical records, review transplant status, and complete patient care plans and other required long-term programs.
Complete initial and annual Nursing History and Assessment physicals and annual standing-order reviews with physicians.
Maintain required credentials and certifications, regular and punctual attendance, flexibility, and the ability to handle demanding situations and multitask; perform other related duties as assigned.