New Graduate Nurse- RN

Fresenius Medical Care•Fitchburg, WI

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 quality daily patient care in accordance with company policies, procedures, and training. Supports the company’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, compliance program, and quality improvement activities. Employees must obtain their nursing license and registration within the timeframe specified by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs first. The role supports staff and patient care in a dialysis facility, including delegating and monitoring care, educating patients and families about end-stage renal disease and treatment, delivering and evaluating hemodialysis therapy, coordinating with physicians and other healthcare team members, and completing laboratory, medication, safety, and medical-record duties. It also includes participating in quality improvement activities and maintaining a clean, safe treatment environment. The position provides direct patient care in a healthcare facility. Work regularly involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, prolonged standing, and bending. With assistance, the employee may occasionally move machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds as high as five feet. The environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. An Ishihara color-vision test is required as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited nursing program within the past 12 months.
Must obtain a nursing license and registration within the timeline defined by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs first.
Current appropriate state Temporary Permit.
Must meet the practice requirements in the state of employment.
Must maintain any required credentials and certifications in active, valid status.
Ability to handle demanding situations, multitask, and remain flexible as needs change.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and occasional assisted movement of equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lifting of solutions weighing up to 30 pounds as high as five feet.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment.

Responsibilities

Direct and monitor Patient Care Technicians and other direct patient care staff to support safe, effective hemodialysis care and adherence to 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, orientation, and required meetings.
Educate patients and families about end-stage renal disease, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet, fluids, medications, adequacy measures, transplant and modality awareness, and laboratory results.
Provide safe and effective care to patients receiving hemodialysis and implement prescribed treatment plans, including applicable sodium and ultrafiltration modeling.
Assess patient responses to treatment, adjust or modify the treatment plan as indicated by the prescribing physician, and communicate concerns or patient issues to the Team Leader or physician.
Conduct initial and annual nursing assessments and ongoing evaluation and documentation of patient care needs.
Participate in pre-evaluation, treatment initiation, monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation for hemodialysis patients.
Intervene when patient adequacy status changes or access-flow issues are identified; provide, supervise when applicable, and monitor hemodialysis access care.
Implement, administer, monitor, and document prescribed interdialytic transfusions and report 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, oversee specimen collection and processing, follow up on missed or insufficient specimens, package and route specimens correctly, and report abnormal results to physicians.
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 about personnel and patient-care matters.
Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to coordinate and adjust patient care.
Assist patients with prescription refills as needed and ensure physician orders are entered into the Medical Information System promptly.
Oversee patient information documentation and maintain the facility drug list for required stock medications.
Maintain competency in emergency procedures, initiate CPR and emergency measures when needed, and verify the availability of emergency equipment.
Ensure required vaccinations, immunizations, and annual tuberculosis testing; administer and document medications, including PRN and controlled substances, as required.
Assist with coordinating patient transportation when necessary.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area; operate dialysis equipment safely; ensure stations, machines, and chairs are clean and properly placed; and address blood spills according to policy.
Ensure patient information, orders, laboratory results, vital signs, treatment parameters, and treatment data are accurately documented in the Medical Information System.
Implement patient admission, transfer, and discharge policies and verify the accuracy of Patient Care Technician documentation.
Review daily completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets and follow required opening and closing procedures, including confirming staff and patients have safely left the premises.
Initiate, document, and complete ongoing monthly Continuous Quality Improvement activities and reports; complete monthly nurses’ progress notes.
Maintain complete patient medical records, review transplant status, complete care plans for new or unstable patients, and complete due long-term programs.
Complete initial and annual nursing history and physical assessments and annual standing-order reviews with physicians.
Maintain required credentials and certifications, notify a supervisor immediately of any change in credential or certification status, maintain regular and punctual attendance, and perform other related duties as assigned.