New Graduate Registered Nurse

Fresenius Medical Care•Philadelphia, PA

23d

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, providing 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. Complies with the company’s Compliance Program and patient care and administrative policies. Employees must obtain their nursing license and registration within the timeframe established 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 collaboration with physicians and the care team. The nurse also supports staff, maintains safe facility operations and equipment, and completes required quality and medical-record activities. The position involves direct patient care, including regularly lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation; frequent, prolonged standing and bending; occasional assisted movement of machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds; and lifting chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds as high as five feet. The work environment is a healthcare 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; failure 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 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.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Ability to handle demanding situations, multitask, and remain flexible as needs change.
Ability to perform the stated physical demands, with assistance or reasonable accommodation where applicable.

Responsibilities

Direct Patient Care Technicians and delegate tasks to patient-care staff, including LVN/LPNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Dialysis Assistants.
Assess daily patient-care needs, develop assignments, monitor staff techniques and compliance with procedures, and participate in staff training, orientation, and meetings.
Educate patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid, medications, adequacy measures, transplant and modality awareness, laboratory values, and treatment compliance.
Provide safe and effective hemodialysis care and accurately implement prescribed treatment, including sodium and ultrafiltration modeling when appropriate.
Assess patient response to treatment, adjust care as indicated by the prescribing physician, communicate concerns to the Team Leader or physician, and take appropriate action for changes in adequacy or access-flow issues.
Initiate and complete nursing assessments and ongoing evaluation and documentation; participate in pre-evaluation, treatment initiation, monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation.
Provide, supervise when applicable, and monitor hemodialysis access care; administer and monitor prescribed transfusions and document patient responses and adverse reactions.
Review, transcribe, and enter physician laboratory orders; prepare requisitions; ensure correct specimen collection, processing, packaging, delivery, and follow-through; report abnormal or alert results and forward results to physicians as requested.
Enforce company policies and applicable regulations, maintain safe and effective shift operations, act 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; enter physician orders into the Medical Information System; oversee patient information documentation; and maintain the facility drug list for required stock medications.
Maintain competency in emergency procedures, initiate CPR and emergency measures when needed, verify emergency equipment availability, support vaccination and TB-testing requirements, administer prescribed medications, and document medication effectiveness and controlled substances as required.
Assist with patient transportation coordination when necessary.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary treatment area; operate dialysis equipment safely; keep patient stations, machines, and chairs clean and appropriately placed; and promptly address blood spills according to policy.
Ensure accurate and complete medical records and Medical Information System entries, including physician orders, laboratory results, vital signs, treatment parameters, patient status, and treatment data; verify Patient Care Technician documentation.
Review daily completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets and follow opening and closing procedures, including confirming staff and patients have safely left the premises.
Initiate, document, and complete monthly Continuous Quality Improvement activities and reports; complete monthly nurses’ progress notes; maintain complete patient records; review transplant status; complete required patient care plans and long-term programs.
Complete initial and annual Nursing History and Assessment physicals and annual Standing Order Reviews with physicians.
Maintain required credentials and certifications in active, valid status and notify a supervisor immediately of any change in credential status.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance, remain flexible and capable of handling demanding situations and multitasking, and perform other related duties as assigned.