New Graduate Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Georgetown, SC

About The Position

The New Graduate Nurse 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 Fresenius Medical Services (FMS) policies, procedures, and training. The role supports FMCNA’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), and continuous quality improvement activities. Employees must obtain their nursing license and registration within the applicable state-regulation timeframe or within 90 days of hire, whichever comes first. The nurse supports staff and patient care, including delegation and monitoring of patient-care tasks, patient and family education about ESRD and dialysis, safe delivery and monitoring of hemodialysis treatment, and coordination with physicians and other healthcare team members. The role also includes laboratory order and specimen processes, medication administration, emergency readiness, facility and equipment safety, and accurate patient records and documentation. The position requires maintaining relevant credentials, regular and punctual attendance, flexibility in a challenging care environment, and performance of other related duties as assigned. This position provides direct patient care in a healthcare facility. Work includes frequent, prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. With assistance, the employee may occasionally move machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical or water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of 5 feet. The environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. An Ishihara color-blindness test is required as a condition of employment; failure does not 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, valid status and notify a supervisor immediately if credential or certified status changes.
Be capable of handling demanding situations, multitasking, and remaining flexible to changing needs.
Meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation.
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 delegate patient-care tasks to patient-care staff, develop patient-care assignments, monitor staff technique and policy compliance, and participate in staff training, orientation, and meetings as assigned.
Educate patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid, medications, adequacy measures, transplantation, and treatment modalities.
Provide and monitor safe, effective hemodialysis care; implement treatment prescriptions; assess patient response; adjust care as indicated; and communicate concerns to the Team Leader or physician.
Conduct initial and annual nursing assessments and ongoing evaluations, documentation, and monitoring of patients receiving hemodialysis.
Provide and monitor dialysis access care, respond to adequacy or access-flow issues, and administer and monitor prescribed interdialytic transfusions, including reporting adverse reactions.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician laboratory orders; prepare requisitions and specimens; follow up on missed or insufficient specimens; package and direct samples appropriately; and report abnormal results.
Enforce company policies and applicable regulations, maintain safe and effective shift operations, act as a resource for staff, and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare-team members.
Administer prescribed and PRN medications, document responses and medical justification when indicated, maintain controlled-substance records, and assist with prescription refills and patient transportation as needed.
Maintain emergency readiness, including competency in emergency procedures, CPR and emergency response, equipment availability, vaccinations and immunizations, and annual TB testing.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary treatment area; operate dialysis equipment safely; ensure patient stations are clean and properly arranged; and address blood spills according to policy.
Ensure accurate and complete patient records and Medical Information System entries, including orders, laboratory results, vital signs, treatment parameters, patient status, and patient-care staff documentation.
Complete applicable daily, monthly, and annual documentation and processes, including treatment sheets, opening and closing procedures, CQI activities and reports, nurses' progress notes, patient care plans, transplant-status reviews, nursing assessments, and standing-order reviews.
Maintain required credentials and certifications, attend work regularly and punctually, remain flexible in response to changing needs, and perform other related duties as assigned.