Registered Nurse - RN

Fresenius Medical Care•Hays, KS

About The Position

The Home Therapies RN CAP 1 is an entry-level designation in the Clinical Advancement Program. The nurse provides and coordinates clinically competent care for an assigned group of patients, including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. The role assesses and manages patients’ responses to home dialysis training and treatment according to established protocols, and communicates patient-related issues to physicians as needed. As a member of the End Stage Kidney Disease health care team, the nurse participates in clinical decision-making, patient education, leadership functions, and quality improvement activities. The position primarily works in a clinic and conducts initial home visits with another staff member present. The nurse serves as an onsite patient educator and case manager, training patients and/or home partners to safely operate and maintain home dialysis equipment and supplies. Paid one-on-one training and education are provided. The role follows Fresenius Kidney Care policies and applicable nursing standards and regulations. It may involve varied work hours and requires on-call rotation, as well as night, weekend, or holiday coverage according to program needs.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Current appropriate state licensure.
Current CPR BLS certification or successful completion of CPR BLS certification.
Meet the practice requirements of the state in which employed.
Entry-level RN designation for nurses with less than two years of nephrology nursing experience as a Registered Nurse.
Must complete CAP requirements to advance.
Must meet all stated conditions for assigned oversight of staff as a Team Leader or designated Nurse in charge: complete FKC new-employee education and training requirements; have at least 12 months of RN experience; and complete three months of RN experience in home peritoneal dialysis and/or hemodialysis.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving equipment or patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to participate in an on-call rotation and coverage that may include nights, weekends, and holidays, as program needs require.
Ability to travel to training sites, other facilities, or patient homes as needed.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience as a Registered Nurse (preferred).
Home dialysis therapy experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

Perform essential functions under the direction of the Supervisor, with guidance from an Educator or Preceptor or in collaboration with another Registered Nurse.
Collect and analyze dialysis data for assigned patients, document findings in the medical record, adjust treatment plans as indicated, and notify the Supervisor or physician as needed.
Assess and document patients’ and families’ learning needs and provide initial and ongoing education.
Coordinate and provide safe, effective dialysis therapy in collaboration with patients, home care partners, and direct and ancillary care staff.
Administer prescribed medications or medications under approved algorithms, documenting medical justification and effectiveness.
Initiate or assist with emergency response measures.
Serve as a resource to the health care team and participate in staff training and new-staff orientation as assigned.
Ensure laboratory specimens are collected, processed, and shipped correctly; reschedule missed or insufficient 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.
Assist with identifying, evaluating, selecting, and educating Home Dialysis candidates and Home Partners.
Assess home-environment barriers and evaluate the readiness and ability of a candidate’s partner or family to support home dialysis.
Train Home Dialysis patients and/or Home Partners in the safe and effective operation and maintenance of home dialysis equipment and supplies through a formal training program.
Complete CAP requirements to advance.
Rotate coverage with other licensed home therapies staff as assigned and participate in required on-call coverage.
Perform other duties assigned by the Supervisor.