Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Swarthmore, PA

About The Position

The Home Therapies 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 eligible new employees or achieved through advancement from RN CAP 1. As part of the End Stage Kidney Disease health care team, the nurse participates in clinical decision-making, patient and family education, leadership, and quality improvement activities that support patient outcomes and facility operations. Duties are performed in accordance with Fresenius Kidney Care policies and procedures, nursing practice standards, and applicable state and federal regulations. The nurse delivers and coordinates safe home dialysis care, assesses patient needs and progress, updates treatment plans and records, administers prescribed medications, and responds to emergencies. The role also supports home dialysis candidate selection and assessment, trains patients and home partners to operate and maintain equipment, and contributes to staff development and quality improvement. Depending on qualifications and assigned duties, the nurse may provide oversight to other clinical staff as a Team Leader or Nurse in Charge. Work is based in a healthcare facility and may also take place at training sites, other facilities, or patients’ homes. The role involves direct patient care and physical activity, including prolonged standing, bending, assisting with patient movement, and handling equipment and supplies. On-call rotation and coverage that may include nights, weekends, and holidays are required according to 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.
At least 2 years of nephrology nursing experience as an RN within the last 2 years.
To provide assigned oversight as a Team Leader or Nurse in Charge: completion of all Fresenius Kidney Care education and training requirements for new employees and at least 3 months of home dialysis therapies experience as an RN.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; prolonged standing and bending; moving equipment weighing up to 200 pounds with assistance; and lifting chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds as high as 5 feet.
Ability to work in an environment where exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur.
Ability to travel to training sites, other facilities, and patient homes as the position may require.

Responsibilities

Perform ongoing, systematic collection and analysis of dialysis data for assigned patients; document findings, modify treatment plans as indicated, and notify a supervisor or physician when needed.
Assess, collaborate on, and document patients’ and families’ basic learning needs, providing initial and ongoing education.
Coordinate and provide safe and effective dialysis therapy with patients, home care partners, direct-care staff, and ancillary 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, leader, coach, mentor, and role model for new and current employees.
Ensure correct laboratory collection, processing, and shipping procedures, and reschedule missed or insufficient collections.
Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Team to identify expected outcomes and document and update nursing assessments and plans of care.
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 the readiness and ability of candidates’ partners or families to perform home dialysis.
Train home dialysis patients and/or home partners in safe and effective operation and maintenance of home dialysis equipment and supplies through a standardized training program.
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 within the program.
Perform other duties assigned by the Supervisor.
Rotate coverage with other licensed home therapy staff as assigned.
Participate in the on-call rotation and provide coverage for nights, weekends, or holidays as required by program needs.
May provide assigned oversight of RNs, LPNs/LVNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Home Therapies Care Team Assistants as a Team Leader or Nurse in Charge after meeting specified training and experience requirements.