Outpatient Registered Nurse - RN

Fresenius Medical Care•Des Moines, IA

About The Position

The Outpatient Registered Nurse (RN) CAP 1 is an entry-level designation in Fresenius Kidney Care’s Clinical Advancement Program. The RN is accountable for providing and coordinating clinically competent care—including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation—for an assigned group of patients. The role may include delegating appropriate tasks to direct patient care staff, including RNs, LVN/LPNs, and Patient Care Technicians. As a member of the End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) health care team, the RN participates in decision-making, teaching, leadership functions, and quality improvement activities that support patient outcomes and facility operations. Duties are performed in accordance with company policy and procedures, nursing practice standards, and applicable state and federal regulations. The RN works under the direction of a Supervisor, with guidance from a Clinical Educator or Preceptor, or in collaboration with other Registered Nurses. The role includes direct patient care and may involve oversight of other clinical staff after applicable training and experience requirements are met. The position involves regular patient handling, prolonged standing, bending, and occasional assisted movement of equipment. The work takes place in a health care facility and includes desk and computer work, interaction with patients and clinical personnel, and possible exposure to infectious or contagious materials. Travel to training sites or other facilities may be required.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Current appropriate state licensure.
Current or successful completion of CPR BLS Certification.
Must meet practice requirements in the state of employment.
Entry level for Registered Nurses with less than 2 years of nephrology nursing experience as an RN.
Must complete Fresenius Kidney Care education and training requirements for new employees before qualifying for assigned staff oversight.
For assigned oversight as a Team Leader or designated Nurse in Charge: minimum 9 months of experience as an RN and minimum 3 months of chronic or acute hemodialysis experience as an RN.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; assistance from equipment or coworkers may be available.
Ability to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
May need to move, with assistance, machines and equipment weighing up to 200 lbs. and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 lbs. as high as 5 feet.

Nice To Haves

Chronic or acute hemodialysis experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Collects and analyzes patient data before, during, and after hemodialysis treatment; documents findings, adjusts or modifies treatment plans as indicated, and notifies the appropriate clinical personnel or physician when needed.
Assesses and documents patients’ and families’ basic learning needs and provides initial and ongoing education.
Directs and provides, in collaboration with direct and ancillary patient care staff, the daily safe and effective delivery of hemodialysis therapy to assigned patients.
Administers prescribed medications or medications in accordance with approved algorithms, documenting medical justification and effectiveness as appropriate.
Initiates or assists with emergency response measures.
Serves as a resource for the health care team and participates in staff training and new-staff orientation as assigned.
Ensures correct laboratory collection, processing, and shipping procedures; reschedules missed or insufficient collections.
Identifies expected outcomes and documents and updates nursing assessments and plans of care in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team.
Ensures patients are aware of transplant and treatment modality options.
Completes Clinical Advancement Program requirements to advance.
Performs other duties assigned by the Supervisor.
May provide oversight of Patient Care Technicians, LPNs/LVNs, or RNs as a Team Leader or designated Nurse in Charge after meeting the stated training and experience requirements.