New Graduate Registered Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Baltimore, MD

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 FMCNA’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), and continuous quality improvement activities. The employee must obtain a nursing license and registration within the timeframe specified by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever comes sooner. The role provides and coordinates hemodialysis care for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), including patient assessment, treatment implementation and monitoring, education, medication administration, laboratory coordination, documentation, and communication with physicians and the healthcare team. It also supports staff direction and training, emergency readiness, facility safety and equipment competency, and completion of patient records and quality activities. The position requires flexibility in a challenging care environment, regular and punctual attendance, and the ability to perform the described physical demands of direct patient care.

Requirements

Graduated from an accredited nursing program within the past 12 months.
Obtain 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.
Meet the practice requirements in the state of employment.
Maintain any required credentials or certifications in active and valid status, including timely renewal.
Ability to handle demanding situations, multitask, and remain flexible as needs change.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, occasionally moving machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds with assistance, and lifting chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds as high as 5 feet.
Take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failure does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Responsibilities

Direct and monitor patient care staff, delegate tasks, assess daily care needs, develop assignments, and support staff training and orientation.
Educate patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid, medications, adequacy measures, transplantation, treatment modalities, laboratory values, and treatment compliance.
Provide and monitor safe hemodialysis care, implement treatment prescriptions, assess patient responses, adjust care as indicated, and communicate concerns to the Team Leader or physician.
Complete initial and annual nursing assessments and ongoing evaluation and documentation of patient care needs.
Participate in pre-evaluation, initiation, monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation of hemodialysis treatments.
Provide, supervise when applicable, and monitor hemodialysis access care; address changes in adequacy and troubleshoot access-flow issues.
Implement and monitor prescribed transfusions, document patient responses, and notify the physician and blood supplier of adverse reactions as appropriate.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician laboratory orders; prepare requisitions; ensure correct specimen collection, processing, packaging, routing, and follow-up; report abnormal results and forward results to physicians as requested.
Enforce company policies and applicable state and federal regulations and maintain safe, efficient, and effective shift operations.
Serve as a resource for staff; meet with the Clinical Manager about personnel and patient-care matters; collaborate with physicians and other healthcare team members to coordinate care.
Assist patients with prescription refills and transportation coordination as needed.
Ensure physician orders and patient information are entered accurately and promptly in the Medical Information System, and oversee and verify patient-care documentation.
Maintain the facility drug list for required stock medications; maintain emergency procedure competency, initiate CPR and emergency measures when needed, and verify emergency equipment availability.
Ensure appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual tuberculosis testing; administer prescribed medications and document their administration and effectiveness; maintain controlled-substance records as required.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary treatment area; operate dialysis equipment safely and ensure patient stations, machines, and chairs are clean and properly positioned; address blood spills according to policy.
Implement patient admission, transfer, and discharge procedures and ensure accurate completion of daily hemodialysis treatment sheets and other records.
Initiate, document, and complete monthly CQI activities and reports; complete monthly nurses’ progress notes; maintain complete and properly identified patient medical records.
Review transplant status and follow established procedures; complete care plans for new patients within 30 days and for unstable patients as required; 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 of changes in credential status, maintain regular and punctual attendance, and perform other related duties as assigned.