New Graduate Registered Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Lower Merion Township, PA

26d

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 patient care in accordance with company policies, procedures, and training. Supports the company’s mission, values, customer service philosophy, Quality Enhancement Program, and continuous quality improvement activities. Employees hired into this position must obtain a nursing license and registration within the timeframe set by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever comes sooner. The role provides and oversees safe hemodialysis care for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It includes assessing patient needs and responses to treatment; educating patients and families about renal disease, dialysis, medications, diet, fluid management, and treatment options; coordinating with physicians and other healthcare team members; administering medications; and ensuring accurate clinical, laboratory, and medical-record documentation. The nurse also supports staff training, maintains a safe and sanitary treatment environment, and follows applicable company, state, and federal requirements. The position involves direct patient care, including frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and regularly lifting or moving patients with assistance as needed. The work takes place in a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test; 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 nursing license and registration within the timeframe defined by state regulations or within 90 days of hire, whichever occurs first.
Current appropriate state Temporary Permit.
Must meet the practice requirements of the state where employed.
Must maintain required credentials or certifications in active and valid status and notify a supervisor if credential status changes.
Ability to handle demanding situations, multitask, and remain flexible to changing needs.
Regular and punctual attendance.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of patients, assisting with ambulation, frequent prolonged standing, bending, and occasional assisted movement of machines and equipment up to 200 lbs. and lifting chemical and water solutions up to 30 lbs. as high as 5 feet.
Must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment.

Responsibilities

Direct and monitor patient care staff, delegate tasks, assess daily care needs, and develop patient care assignments.
Participate in staff training, new-staff orientation, and required staff meetings.
Educate patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid management, medication compliance, adequacy measures, transplant and modality awareness, laboratory values, and treatment adherence.
Provide safe hemodialysis care and implement prescribed treatment parameters, including sodium and ultrafiltration modeling where appropriate.
Assess patients’ responses to treatment, adjust care as indicated, communicate concerns to the Team Leader or physician, and document assessments and care needs.
Participate in the pre-evaluation, initiation, monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation of hemodialysis treatments.
Provide, supervise when applicable, and monitor hemodialysis access care; intervene for changes in adequacy status and troubleshoot access-flow issues.
Implement and document prescribed interdialytic transfusions and patient responses, including reporting adverse reactions.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician orders and laboratory orders; prepare requisitions, ensure proper specimen collection and handling, follow up on missed or insufficient specimens, and report abnormal results.
Enforce company policies and applicable regulations, maintain safe and effective shift operations, and act as a resource for staff.
Coordinate and communicate with physicians and other healthcare team members regarding patient care; assist with prescription refills and patient transportation when needed.
Maintain emergency readiness, verify availability of emergency equipment, initiate CPR and emergency measures when required, administer prescribed medications, document responses, and maintain controlled-substance records.
Ensure appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual tuberculosis testing.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area; operate dialysis equipment safely; ensure patient stations are clean and properly arranged; and address blood spills according to policy.
Ensure completeness and accuracy of patient records, treatment sheets, physician orders, laboratory results, vital signs, treatment parameters, and Patient Care Technician documentation.
Follow patient admission, transfer, discharge, opening, and closing procedures, including confirming staff and patients have safely left the premises.
Initiate and document monthly CQI activities and reports, complete monthly progress notes and care plans as applicable, review transplant status, and complete due long-term programs.
Complete initial and annual Nursing History and Assessment physicals and annual standing-order reviews with physicians.
Maintain required credentials and certifications, regular and punctual attendance, and flexibility in a demanding environment; perform other related duties as assigned.