Registered Nurse - RN

Fresenius Medical Care•Pittsburgh, PA

13d

About The Position

The Home Therapies RN CAP 1 is an entry-level designation in the Clinical Advancement Program (CAP). This registered professional nurse provides and coordinates clinically competent care, including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation for an assigned group of patients. The RN assesses and manages patients’ responses to home dialysis training and treatment using prescribed protocols and communicates patient-related issues to the physician as needed. As a member of the End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) health care team, the RN participates in decision-making, teaching, leadership, and quality improvement activities that support patient outcomes and facility operations. The position performs duties under the direction of the Supervisor, with guidance from an Educator or Preceptor or in collaboration with another Registered Nurse. It includes patient and family education, home dialysis candidate assessment and training, care coordination, documentation, medication administration, and participation in emergency response and team training. Duties must comply with Fresenius Kidney Care policies and procedures, nursing practice standards, and applicable state and federal regulations. The role involves direct patient care and work in a health care facility, and may also require work in patient homes, travel to training sites or other facilities, and participation in an on-call rotation. The stated schedule is Home Therapy, Monday through Friday, 40 hours, with coverage rotation and possible night, weekend, or holiday duties based on program needs.

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.
Entry-level designation for RNs with less than 2 years of nephrology nursing experience as a Registered Nurse.
Minimum of 1 year of experience as a Registered Nurse is preferred.
Home dialysis therapy experience is preferred.
To be assigned oversight duties as a Team Leader or designated nurse in charge: complete all FKC education and training requirements for new employees; have at least 12 months of RN experience; and complete 3 months of RN experience in home peritoneal dialysis and/or hemodialysis.
Ability to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, including frequent prolonged standing, bending, heavy lifting and moving of equipment or patients, and assisting with ambulation.
Ability to occasionally move machines and equipment weighing up to 200 lbs. with assistance and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 lbs. as high as 5 feet.
Availability for on-call rotation and, based on program needs, night, weekend, or holiday coverage.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 1 year of experience as a Registered Nurse.
Home dialysis therapy experience.

Responsibilities

Collects and analyzes dialysis data for assigned patients, documents findings in the medical record, adjusts or modifies treatment plans as indicated, and notifies the Supervisor or physician as needed.
Assesses and documents patient and family learning needs and provides initial and ongoing education.
Coordinates and provides safe, effective dialysis therapy with the patient, home care partner, and direct and ancillary care staff.
Administers prescribed medications or medications under approved algorithms and documents medical justification and effectiveness.
Initiates or assists with emergency response measures.
Serves as a resource to the health care team and participates in staff training and orientation of new staff as assigned.
Ensures laboratory specimens are collected, processed, and shipped correctly, and reschedules missed or insufficient collections.
Collaborates with the Interdisciplinary Team to identify expected outcomes and document and update nursing assessments and plans of care.
Ensures patients are aware of transplant and treatment modality options.
Assists in identifying, evaluating, selecting, and educating Home Dialysis candidates and Home Partners.
Assesses barriers in a Home Dialysis candidate’s home environment and evaluates partner or family readiness and ability to perform treatments.
Trains Home Dialysis patients and/or Home Partners in safe and effective operation and maintenance of home dialysis equipment and supplies through a formal training program.
Completes CAP requirements for advancement.
Performs other duties assigned by the Supervisor.
Rotates coverage with other licensed home therapies staff as assigned.
May provide essential job functions at other locations, including patient homes, and may travel to training sites or other facilities.
May oversee LPNs/LVNs, RNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Home Therapy Care Team Assistants as a Team Leader or nurse in charge after meeting the stated training and experience criteria.