Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Madison, WI

About The Position

The Home Therapies Registered Nurse CAP 2 provides and coordinates clinically competent care for an assigned group of patients receiving dialysis. The RN assesses patients, plans and implements interventions, evaluates outcomes, and may delegate appropriate tasks to patient-care staff. As a member of the End Stage Kidney Disease health care team, the RN contributes to clinical decision-making, patient education, leadership, and quality improvement activities. In the Transitional Care Unit, the nurse helps patients adjust to dialysis and supports them in making informed decisions about their care, including choosing between in-center and at-home treatment. The role includes coordinating patient and family education, assessing readiness for home dialysis, and training patients or home partners to safely operate and maintain home dialysis equipment and supplies. Duties are performed in accordance with Fresenius Kidney Care policies and procedures, nursing standards, and applicable state and federal regulations. The position provides direct patient care in a healthcare facility and may involve work in patient homes or other facilities. It includes rotating coverage and participation in an on-call rotation, which may involve nights, weekends, or holidays. Travel to training sites, other facilities, and patient homes may be required.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Current appropriate state nursing 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 Team Leader or Nurse in Charge: successful completion of all Fresenius Kidney Care education and training requirements for new employees and at least 3 months of RN experience in home dialysis therapies.
Ability to perform direct patient-care duties involving heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; frequent prolonged standing and bending; and, with assistance, occasional movement of equipment weighing up to 200 pounds 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 participate in an on-call rotation and, according to program needs, work nights, weekends, or holidays.
Ability to travel to training sites, other facilities, and patient homes when required.

Responsibilities

Collects and analyzes dialysis data for assigned patients, documents findings, adjusts treatment plans as indicated, and notifies a supervisor or physician when needed.
Assesses and documents patients’ and families’ learning needs and provides initial and ongoing education.
Coordinates and provides safe, effective dialysis care in collaboration with patients, home care partners, and direct and ancillary care staff.
Administers prescribed medications or medications according to approved algorithms, documenting medical justification and effectiveness.
Initiates or assists with emergency response measures.
Acts as a resource, leader, coach, mentor, and role model for new and current employees.
Ensures laboratory specimens are collected, processed, and shipped correctly, and reschedules missed or insufficient collections.
Identifies expected outcomes and documents and updates nursing assessments and plans of care in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team.
Ensures patients are aware of transplant and treatment modality options.
Assists in identifying, evaluating, selecting, and educating home dialysis candidates and home partners.
Assesses home-environment barriers and the readiness and ability of home dialysis candidates and their partners or families to perform treatments at home.
Trains home dialysis patients and/or home partners to safely and effectively operate and maintain home dialysis equipment and supplies through a standardized training program.
Participates in facility- and area-level education and quality improvement projects as directed by a supervisor.
May serve as a preceptor to new employees.
Completes CAP requirements to maintain or advance within the Clinical Advancement Program.
May provide assigned oversight to RNs, LPNs/LVNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Home Therapies Care Team Assistants as a Team Leader or designated Nurse in Charge after meeting specified training and experience requirements.
Rotates coverage with other licensed home therapy staff and participates in the required on-call rotation.
Performs other duties assigned by the supervisor.