New Graduate Registered Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Troy, NY

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, supporting the daily provision of quality patient care in accordance with Fresenius Medical Services policies, procedures, and training. Supports FMCNA’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), and continuous quality improvement activities, including efforts related to patient satisfaction and process improvement. Adheres to the FMCNA Compliance Program and patient-care and administrative policies. Employees must obtain their nursing license and registration within the period set by state-specific regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever comes sooner. The role supports and monitors direct-care staff, assesses and assigns patient-care needs, and provides or oversees hemodialysis treatment and patient education. Responsibilities also include laboratory coordination, medication administration, emergency readiness, accurate medical records, quality-improvement activities, and maintaining a clean and safe treatment environment. The position requires maintaining relevant credentials, regular and punctual attendance, and flexibility in a demanding care environment. This position involves direct patient care, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and regularly lifting or moving patients and assisting with ambulation. 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 to a height of five feet. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. 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. The position has no supervisory responsibility.

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 credentials or certifications required for the position in active and valid status, including timely renewal.
Be capable of working in a challenging environment that requires handling demanding situations, multitasking, and flexibility as needs change.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Responsibilities

Direct Patient Care Technicians and delegate tasks to direct patient-care staff, including LVN/LPNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Dialysis Assistants.
Assess daily patient-care needs, develop appropriate assignments, and monitor staff techniques and compliance with facility policies and procedures.
Participate in staff training, new-staff orientation as assigned, and required staff meetings.
Educate patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid, medication compliance, adequacy measures, transplant and modality awareness, and laboratory values.
Provide safe and effective hemodialysis care; implement treatment prescriptions, assess patient responses, adjust or modify treatment plans as indicated, and communicate concerns to the Team Leader or physician.
Initiate nursing assessments and ongoing patient-care evaluations and documentation; participate in pre-evaluation, treatment initiation and monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation.
Intervene when patient adequacy status changes, troubleshoot access-flow issues, and provide, supervise when applicable, and monitor hemodialysis access care.
Implement and document prescribed interdialytic transfusions and patient responses, reporting 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; ensure correct specimen collection, processing, follow-up, packaging, and delivery; report abnormal or alert results and forward results to physicians as requested.
Enforce company policies and applicable state and federal regulations; maintain safe, efficient, and effective shift operations and serve as a resource to staff.
Meet with the Clinical Manager regarding personnel and patient-care matters; collaborate and communicate with physicians and other health care team members to coordinate care.
Assist patients with prescription refills as needed and ensure physician orders are entered into the Medical Information System in a timely manner.
Oversee patient-information documentation, maintain the facility drug list for required stock medications, and maintain competency in emergency procedures, including initiating CPR and emergency measures when needed.
Verify emergency equipment availability; ensure appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual tuberculosis testing; administer and document prescribed or protocol-based medications, including PRN medications and controlled substances.
Assist with coordinating patient transportation when necessary.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area; safely operate dialysis-related equipment; ensure patient stations, machines, and chairs are clean and properly placed; and address blood spills under company policy.
Ensure patient data, orders, laboratory results, vital signs, treatment parameters, and patient status are documented in the Medical Information System; implement admission, transfer, and discharge policies and verify Patient Care Technician documentation.
Review daily Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets and ensure opening and closing procedures are followed, including confirming staff and patients have safely left the premises.
Initiate, document, and complete ongoing CQI activities, including monthly reports; complete monthly nurses' progress notes and ensure medical records are complete and properly identified.
Review transplant status and follow established procedures; complete care plans for new patients within 30 days and monthly care plans for patients deemed unstable; complete due long-term programs.
Complete initial and annual Nursing History and Assessment physicals and ensure Annual Standing Order Reviews are completed with physicians.
Maintain required credentials and certifications in active, valid status, report changes to a supervisor immediately, maintain regular and punctual attendance, and perform other related duties as assigned.