New Graduate Registered Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Syracuse, NY

About The Position

Functions as part of the hemodialysis healthcare 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, Quality Enhancement Program, and continuous quality improvement activities. Employees must obtain their nursing license and registration within the period required by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs sooner. The role provides and coordinates hemodialysis care for patients with end-stage renal disease, including treatment implementation and monitoring, patient and family education, medication administration, laboratory coordination, documentation, and communication with physicians and other healthcare professionals. It also supports staff delegation, training, and oversight; maintains a safe and sanitary treatment environment; and ensures compliance with company policies and applicable regulations. This position involves direct patient care and physical activity, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and occasional assisted movement of equipment. The work takes place in a healthcare facility and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

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.
Hold a current appropriate state Temporary Permit.
Meet the practice requirements of the state in which employed.
Maintain any credentials or certifications required for the position in active and valid status, including timely renewal.
Be able to handle demanding situations, multitask, and remain flexible as needs change.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
The position requires frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and occasional assisted movement of machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lifting chemical or water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of 5 feet.
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 and monitor patient care staff, delegate tasks, assess daily patient-care needs, and develop appropriate assignments.
Participate in staff training, new-staff orientation, and scheduled staff meetings.
Educate patients and families about end-stage renal disease, dialysis therapy, vascular access, diet and fluids, medications, laboratory values, treatment adequacy, transplant and modality options, and catheter reduction.
Provide and monitor safe hemodialysis treatment, implement prescribed treatment parameters, assess patient responses, adjust care as indicated, and communicate problems or 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, treatment initiation and monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation according to established procedures.
Intervene appropriately for changes in patient adequacy status and troubleshoot access-flow issues identified through monitoring programs.
Provide, supervise when applicable, and monitor hemodialysis access care; administer and document prescribed transfusions and report adverse reactions.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician laboratory orders; prepare requisitions; ensure correct specimen collection, processing, packaging, and delivery; follow up on missed or insufficient specimens; and report abnormal or critical results.
Enforce company policies and applicable state and federal regulations, and maintain safe, efficient, and effective shift operations.
Serve as a resource for staff and routinely discuss personnel and patient-care matters with the Clinical Manager.
Collaborate and communicate with physicians and other healthcare team members to coordinate and adjust patient care.
Assist patients with prescription refills according to company policies and ensure physician orders are entered into the medical information system promptly.
Oversee patient information and treatment documentation, verify Patient Care Technician records, and ensure records are accurate and complete.
Maintain the facility drug list for required stock medications and appropriately administer and document prescribed and PRN medications, controlled substances, and medication effectiveness.
Maintain competency in emergency procedures, initiate CPR and emergency measures when needed, and ensure emergency equipment is available and verified.
Ensure appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual tuberculosis testing; assist with patient transportation coordination when needed.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area; operate dialysis equipment safely; ensure stations, machines, and chairs are clean and correctly placed; and address blood spills according to policy.
Complete required daily, monthly, and annual records and procedures, including treatment sheets, CQI activities and reports, nurses’ progress notes, patient care plans, nursing assessments, standing-order reviews, and transplant-status follow-up.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance, required credentials and certifications, and flexibility in a demanding, changing work environment; perform other related duties as assigned.