New Graduate Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Georgetown, SC

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, 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 role supports and coordinates patient care and staff activities, provides education to patients and families about end-stage renal disease and dialysis, delivers and monitors hemodialysis treatment, handles laboratory processes and documentation, and helps maintain safe facility operations and equipment. The position also includes quality improvement, emergency response, medication administration, and completion of required patient assessments and records. This position provides direct patient care in a healthcare facility. Work may involve heavy lifting and moving patients, prolonged standing, bending, and occasional assisted movement of machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds, as well as lifting chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds. The environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or 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.
Must obtain nursing license and registration within the period required by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs first.
Current appropriate state Temporary Permit.
Must meet the practice requirements of the state in which employed.
Must maintain required credentials and certifications in active and valid status.
Ability to handle demanding situations, multitask, and remain flexible as needs change.
Regular and punctual attendance.
Ability to perform the physical demands of direct patient care, including heavy lifting and moving patients, prolonged standing, bending, and occasional assisted movement of equipment up to 200 pounds and lifting solutions up to 30 pounds.
Must take 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 Technicians and other direct patient care staff to ensure safe, effective hemodialysis care in accordance with applicable policies and regulations.
Delegate tasks, assess daily patient care needs, and develop appropriate patient care assignments.
Monitor staff techniques and compliance with facility procedures; participate in staff training, new-staff orientation, and required meetings.
Educate patients and families about end-stage renal disease, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid management, medications, adequacy measures, laboratory values, transplant awareness, and treatment modalities.
Provide safe and effective hemodialysis treatment, implement prescribed treatment parameters, assess patient responses, adjust care as indicated, and communicate issues to the Team Leader or physician.
Initiate nursing assessments and ongoing patient-care evaluations and documentation; participate in all phases of hemodialysis treatment, including pre-evaluation, initiation, monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation.
Intervene when patient adequacy or access-flow issues are identified, and provide, supervise as applicable, and monitor hemodialysis 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 and specimens; follow laboratory collection, processing, packaging, and delivery procedures; and report abnormal results to physicians.
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.
Support patient prescription refills and transportation coordination as needed; maintain the facility drug list and ensure physician orders and patient information are entered accurately and promptly.
Maintain competency in emergency procedures, initiate CPR and emergency measures when needed, and ensure emergency equipment is available.
Ensure appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual tuberculosis testing are provided.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area; operate dialysis equipment safely; ensure patient stations, machines, and chairs are clean and properly positioned; and address blood spills according to policy.
Ensure accurate and complete patient records, treatment data, orders, laboratory results, vital signs, treatment parameters, and staff documentation in the Medical Information System.
Review daily hemodialysis treatment sheets and oversee opening and closing procedures, including confirming that staff and patients have safely left the premises.
Initiate, document, and complete monthly Continuous Quality Improvement activities and reports; complete monthly nurses’ progress notes and required patient care plans and long-term programs.
Review transplant status and follow applicable procedures; complete initial and annual nursing history and assessment physicals and annual standing-order reviews with physicians.
Maintain required credentials and certifications in active, valid status and promptly notify a supervisor if credential status changes.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance, adapt to demanding situations and changing needs, and perform other related duties as assigned.