New Graduate Registered Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Allentown, PA

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, 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 applicable state-specific timeframe or within 90 days of hire, whichever is sooner. The role includes directing and supporting patient care staff; assessing patient needs and assigning care; educating patients and families about end-stage renal disease, dialysis, vascular access, medications, diet, fluid management, and treatment options; delivering and monitoring hemodialysis treatment; coordinating with physicians and the health care team; managing laboratory orders and specimens; documenting patient care; maintaining a safe, clean treatment environment; and responding to emergencies. The position has no supervisory role listed, although it includes directing and delegating work to patient care staff. The position provides direct patient care in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise. Work may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. Physical demands include frequent and prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, occasionally moving equipment weighing up to 200 pounds with assistance, and lifting chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds as high as five feet. An Ishihara color blindness 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.
Obtain a nursing license and registration within the timeframe defined by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever comes first.
Hold a current appropriate state Temporary Permit.
Meet the practice requirements of the state in which employed.
Obtain and maintain any required credentials or certifications in active and valid status, including renewal before expiration, and promptly notify a supervisor if credential or certification status changes.
Ability to handle demanding situations, multitask, and remain flexible as needs change.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Ability to perform the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, patient lifting and moving, and moving or lifting specified equipment and solutions.
Take the Ishihara color blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.

Responsibilities

Direct patient care staff in the safe and effective delivery of chronic hemodialysis therapy and delegate tasks to direct-care staff.
Assess daily patient care needs, assign care, monitor staff techniques and compliance with policies, and participate in staff training, orientation, and meetings.
Educate patients and families about end-stage renal disease, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid management, medications, adequacy measures, transplant and treatment modalities, laboratory values, and treatment compliance.
Provide safe and effective hemodialysis care; implement prescribed treatment, including sodium and ultrafiltration modeling where appropriate; assess patient response; and adjust care as indicated by the physician.
Initiate nursing assessments and ongoing evaluations; participate in pre-evaluation, treatment initiation and monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation; and document patient care.
Identify and communicate patient issues, changes in adequacy status, access-flow issues, and adverse reactions to the Team Leader or physician; take appropriate interventions and provide or monitor dialysis access care.
Implement, monitor, and document prescribed interdialytic transfusions and patient responses, including notifying the physician and blood supplier of adverse reactions.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician orders and laboratory orders; prepare requisitions; ensure appropriate specimen 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; serve as a resource to staff; meet with the Clinical Manager; and coordinate care with physicians and other health care team members.
Assist patients with prescription refills and transportation as needed; oversee patient information documentation; maintain the facility drug list; and ensure orders are entered into the medical information system promptly.
Maintain competency in emergency procedures, initiate CPR and emergency measures when needed, verify emergency equipment availability, ensure appropriate vaccinations and TB testing, administer prescribed medications, and maintain controlled-substance records.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area; operate dialysis equipment safely; ensure stations, machines, and chairs are clean and properly positioned; and address blood spills according to company policy.
Ensure accurate and complete medical records, treatment data, physician orders, laboratory results, vital signs, treatment parameters, and patient-status documentation; verify Patient Care Technician documentation; and implement admission, transfer, and discharge policies.
Review daily treatment sheets and opening and closing procedures; complete monthly CQI activities and reports, nurses’ progress notes, patient care plans, transplant-status reviews, and due long-term programs; and complete annual nursing assessments and standing-order reviews.
Obtain and maintain required credentials and certifications, report changes in credential status to a supervisor, maintain regular and punctual attendance, and perform other related duties as assigned.