New Graduate Registered Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Alabaster, AL

About The Position

The New Graduate Registered Nurse 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 patient care in accordance with company policies, procedures, and training. The role supports FMCNA’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 timeframe set by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs sooner. The nurse supports safe and effective chronic hemodialysis care through patient assessment, treatment delivery and monitoring, patient and family education, staff oversight, laboratory coordination, medication administration, emergency readiness, and accurate medical record documentation. The position also contributes to daily facility operations, monthly quality activities, and required annual nursing assessments. The employee must maintain required credentials and certifications, attend regularly and punctually, and perform other related duties as assigned. This direct-care role involves heavy lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and occasional assisted movement of machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds. It may also involve lifting chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of 5 feet. The work takes place in a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials. An Ishihara color blindness test is required as a condition of employment; a failed test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered. The position has no supervisory reporting responsibilities.

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 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, and bending.
Ability, occasionally with assistance, to move machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical and 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 patient care staff, including Patient Care Technicians, LVNs/LPNs, and Dialysis Assistants, in providing safe and effective chronic hemodialysis therapy.
Delegate tasks, assess daily patient care needs, make appropriate patient care assignments, and monitor staff techniques and compliance with facility 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 management, medications, laboratory values, treatment adequacy, transplant and modality awareness, and catheter reduction.
Provide and monitor hemodialysis treatment, implement prescriptions and appropriate modeling, assess patient responses, adjust care as indicated, and communicate concerns to the Team Leader or physician.
Initiate 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.
Intervene in changes in patient adequacy status and troubleshoot access flow issues; provide, supervise when applicable, and monitor hemodialysis access care.
Implement and monitor prescribed interdialytic transfusions, document responses, and notify the physician and blood supplier of adverse reactions as appropriate.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician orders and laboratory orders; coordinate laboratory requisitions, specimen collection, processing, packaging, delivery, and follow-up on missed or insufficient specimens.
Report alert, panic, and abnormal laboratory results to the appropriate physician and forward results 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 and meet with the Clinical Manager regarding personnel and patient care matters.
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 in a timely manner.
Oversee patient information documentation, maintain the facility drug list for required stock medications, and ensure the accuracy and completeness of patient records.
Maintain competency in emergency procedures, initiate CPR and emergency measures when needed, and verify availability of adequate emergency equipment.
Ensure appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual tuberculosis testing; administer prescribed or approved-algorithm medications, document required justification and effectiveness assessments, and record controlled substances as required by law.
Assist with coordination of patient transportation when necessary.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area; operate dialysis equipment safely; keep patient stations, machines, and chairs clean and appropriately positioned; and address blood spills according to policy.
Ensure appropriate entry and documentation of physician orders, laboratory results, vital signs, treatment parameters, patient status, and treatment data in the Medical Information System.
Implement patient admission, transfer, and discharge policies and verify Patient Care Technician documentation.
Review daily Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets and ensure their completion by patient care staff; follow opening and closing procedures, including confirming staff and patients have safely left the premises.
Initiate, document, and complete ongoing CQI activities and monthly reports; complete monthly nurses’ progress notes and patient care plans as required.
Ensure medical records are complete, appropriately documented, and identified; review transplant status and follow established procedures.
Complete initial and annual Nursing History and Assessment physicals, Annual Standing Order Reviews with physicians, and due long-term programs.
Obtain and maintain required credentials and certifications in active, valid status, notify a supervisor of changes, maintain regular and punctual attendance, and perform other related duties as assigned.