Outpatient Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Altoona, PA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Outpatient Registered Nurse (RN) CAP 2 provides and coordinates clinically competent care for an assigned group of patients, including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. The role may be an entry-level designation in the Clinical Advancement Program for qualifying new employees or may be attained through advancement from RN CAP 1. The nurse may delegate appropriate tasks to direct patient care staff, including RNs, LVN/LPNs, and Patient Care Technicians. As a member of the End Stage Kidney Disease health care team, the nurse participates in clinical decision-making, patient teaching, leadership, and quality improvement activities that support patient outcomes and facility operations. The nurse provides safe and effective hemodialysis care in accordance with Fresenius Kidney Care policies, procedures, standards of nursing practice, and applicable state and federal regulations. The role works under the direction of a Supervisor and with guidance from a Clinical Educator, Preceptor, or other Registered Nurses. After meeting training and experience requirements, the nurse may oversee Patient Care Technicians, LVN/LPNs, or RNs as a Team Leader or designated Nurse in Charge. The position involves direct patient care and regular heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation. It requires frequent, prolonged standing and bending. With assistance, the employee may occasionally move machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds as high as five feet. The work takes place in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. Work also includes desk and computer work and interaction with patients, facility or hospital staff, and physicians. Travel to training sites or other facilities may be required, and the employee may be asked to perform the role at other locations.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Current appropriate state licensure and compliance with practice requirements in the state of employment.
Current CPR BLS Certification or successful completion of CPR BLS Certification.
Minimum of 2 years of Nephrology Nursing experience.
To provide assigned oversight as a Team Leader or designated Nurse in Charge: successful completion of all Fresenius Kidney Care education and training requirements for new employees and a minimum of 3 months of chronic or acute hemodialysis experience as an RN.
Ability to perform the physical demands described, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, heavy lifting and patient movement, and occasional movement of equipment or lifting of solutions within the stated weight limits.

Responsibilities

Perform ongoing, systematic collection and analysis of patient data before, during, and after hemodialysis treatment; document findings, adjust or modify treatment plans as indicated, and notify the appropriate clinical personnel or physician as needed.
Assess, collaborate on, and document patients’ and families’ basic learning needs, and provide initial and ongoing education.
Direct and provide, in collaboration with direct and ancillary patient care staff, the daily safe and effective delivery of hemodialysis therapy to assigned patients.
Administer medications as prescribed or in accordance with approved algorithms, and document appropriate medical justification and effectiveness.
Initiate or assist with emergency response measures.
Serve as a resource, leader, coach, mentor, and role model for new and current employees at the facility and area level.
Ensure correct laboratory collection, processing, and shipping procedures, and reschedule missed or insufficient laboratory collections.
Identify expected outcomes and document and update nursing assessments and plans of care in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team.
Ensure patients are aware of transplant and treatment-modality options.
Participate in facility- and area-level education and quality improvement projects as directed by the Supervisor.
May serve as a Preceptor to new employees.
Complete CAP requirements to maintain or advance.
Perform other duties assigned by the Supervisor.
After meeting the stated training and experience requirements, provide assigned oversight of Patient Care Technicians, LVN/LPNs, or RNs as a Team Leader or designated Nurse in Charge.