Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Portland, OR

About The Position

The Home Therapies RN CAP 1 is an entry-level designation in the Clinical Advancement Program. The nurse is accountable for providing and coordinating clinically competent care—including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation—for an assigned group of patients. The role assesses and manages patients’ responses to home dialysis training and treatment according to prescribed protocols and communicates patient-related issues to physicians as needed. As part of the End Stage Kidney Disease health care team, the nurse participates in decision-making, teaching, leadership, and quality improvement activities to support patient outcomes and facility operations. The position provides direct patient care and coordinates safe, effective home dialysis therapy. It includes educating patients and families, training patients or home partners to operate and maintain home dialysis equipment and supplies, assessing the suitability of patients’ home environments, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team on plans of care. The role may also serve as a resource to the health care team and, after meeting specified education and experience requirements, provide assigned oversight as a team leader or nurse in charge.

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 role for RNs with less than 2 years of nephrology nursing experience as a Registered Nurse.
To receive assigned oversight responsibilities, 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 the role, including frequent prolonged standing and bending, and heavy lifting or moving of equipment and patients with assistance as needed.
May be required to move machines and equipment weighing up to 200 lbs. with assistance and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 lbs. to a height of 5 feet.
Ability to participate in on-call rotation and work nights, weekends, or holidays as program needs require.
May be required to travel to training sites, other facilities, or patient homes.
May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases or materials.

Nice To Haves

At least 1 year of experience as a Registered Nurse (preferred).
Home dialysis therapy experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

Collect and analyze dialysis data for assigned patients, document findings in medical records, adjust treatment plans as indicated, and notify the supervisor or physician when 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 care staff.
Administer prescribed medications or medications under approved algorithms, and document medical justification and effectiveness.
Initiate or assist with emergency response measures.
Participate in staff training and orientation of new staff as assigned, and serve as a resource to the health care team.
Ensure correct laboratory collection, processing, and shipping procedures; 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 dialysis candidates’ home environments and barriers, as well as home partner and family readiness and ability to perform treatments.
Train home dialysis patients and/or home partners in the safe and effective operation and maintenance of home dialysis equipment and treatment supplies through a formal training program.
Complete Clinical Advancement Program requirements to advance.
Rotate coverage with other licensed home therapies staff as assigned; participate in on-call coverage, including night, weekend, and holiday coverage as program needs require.
Perform assigned duties under the supervisor’s direction and carry out other duties assigned by the supervisor.
Provide assigned oversight of LPNs/LVNs, RNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Home Therapy Care Team Assistants as a team leader or designated nurse in charge after meeting the stated training and experience requirements.