Outpatient Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Oklahoma City, OK

About The Position

The Outpatient Registered Nurse works as part of the hemodialysis health care team to provide quality daily patient care in accordance with Fresenius Medical Services (FMS) policies, procedures, and training. The role supports FMCNA’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, Compliance Program, and Quality Enhancement Program, and participates in continuous quality improvement activities. The nurse directs and delegates work to patient-care staff, assesses patient needs, assigns care, and monitors staff practices. The role provides and oversees safe hemodialysis care, assesses treatment response, implements prescribed treatment plans, manages vascular access, educates patients and families about ESRD and related care, and communicates with physicians and the health care team. It also includes medication administration, laboratory coordination and follow-up, accurate clinical documentation, emergency readiness, infection control, equipment and facility safety, and completion of assessments, care plans, and quality-improvement activities. The position involves direct patient care in a health care facility. Physical demands include regularly lifting and moving patients and assisting with ambulation, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, occasionally moving equipment weighing up to 200 pounds with assistance, and lifting chemical or water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds to a height of five feet. The work environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur. An Ishihara color-vision test is required as a condition of employment, but failing it does not automatically preclude employment; reasonable accommodation may be considered. The nurse may be required to provide coverage at any or all area facilities as required by management. No supervisory responsibility is specified.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Current appropriate state licensure and compliance with practice requirements in the state of employment.
Successfully complete a training course in the theory and practice of hemodialysis.
Successfully complete CPR certification.
Meet the necessary requirements of the Ishihara color-vision test as a condition of employment; failure does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodation may be considered.
Provide coverage at any or all area facilities as required by management.
Complete ICD-9 coding training and Nurses Technical Training.
Meet any applicable state requirements.
Ability to perform the described physical demands, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, assisting with patient movement and ambulation, and occasional assisted movement of equipment and lifting of solutions.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of medical-surgical nursing experience is preferred.
Hemodialysis experience is preferred.
ICU experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct and delegate patient-care work, including tasks assigned to LVN/LPNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Dialysis Assistants; assess daily patient-care needs, make assignments, and monitor staff techniques and compliance with policies.
Participate in staff training, new-staff orientation when assigned, and scheduled staff meetings; serve as a resource for other staff.
Educate patients and families about ESRD, renal disease, vascular access, dialysis therapy, diet and fluid management, medications, adequacy measures, laboratory values, treatment compliance, transplant awareness, and treatment modalities.
Provide, supervise, and monitor safe and effective hemodialysis care; implement prescriptions, assess patient response, adjust care as indicated, and communicate patient concerns or changes to the Team Leader or physician.
Initiate initial and annual nursing assessments and ongoing evaluations and documentation; participate in pre-evaluation, initiation, monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post-evaluation of hemodialysis treatments.
Intervene when patient adequacy status changes or access-flow issues are identified; administer and monitor prescribed interdialytic transfusions and report adverse reactions appropriately.
Ensure accurate treatment documentation, including Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets and patient information in the Medical Information System; review, transcribe, and enter physician orders in a timely manner.
Coordinate laboratory orders, requisitions, specimen collection, processing, packaging, shipment, delivery, and follow-up; report abnormal or alert results to physicians and forward results as requested.
Enforce company policies and applicable state and federal regulations; maintain safe and effective shift operations and communicate regularly with the Clinical Manager and health care team.
Assist patients with prescription refills according to company policies; administer prescribed and PRN medications, document assessments and responses, and maintain controlled-substance records as required by law.
Maintain competency in emergency procedures, initiate CPR and emergency measures when needed, and verify adequate emergency equipment.
Ensure appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual TB testing; maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary treatment area and ensure proper equipment operation, cleaning, and blood-spill response.
Ensure patient admission, transfer, and discharge procedures are followed; verify patient-care documentation and completion of opening and closing procedures, including safe departure of staff and patients.
Initiate, document, and complete ongoing CQI activities and monthly reports; complete nurses’ progress notes, patient care plans, nursing history and physical assessments, long-term programs, and annual standing-order reviews.
Review transplant status and follow established procedures; coordinate patient transportation when necessary; perform additional assigned duties.