Registered Nurse - RN

Fresenius Medical Care•Chambersburg, PA

About The Position

The Home Therapies RN CAP 1 is an entry-level designation in the Clinical Advancement Program (CAP). The Registered Nurse provides and coordinates clinically competent care—including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation—for an assigned group of patients. The nurse assesses and manages patients’ responses to home dialysis training and treatment according to established protocols and communicates patient-related issues to the physician as needed. As a member of the End Stage Kidney Disease health care team, the nurse participates in decision-making, teaching, leadership, and quality improvement activities that support patient outcomes and facility operations. The role includes training home dialysis patients and their partners in the safe operation and maintenance of home dialysis equipment and supplies, assessing home readiness, and coordinating care with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team. Duties are performed in accordance with Fresenius Kidney Care policies and procedures, nursing practice standards, and applicable state and federal regulations. The position may include oversight of other care team members after specified experience and training requirements are met.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Hold current appropriate state licensure.
Hold current CPR BLS Certification or successfully complete it.
Meet practice requirements in the state of employment.
Complete all Fresenius Kidney Care education and training requirements for new employees before being assigned oversight responsibilities.
Have at least 12 months of RN experience and three months of RN experience in home peritoneal dialysis and/or hemodialysis to qualify for the described oversight responsibilities.
Complete required CAP requirements to advance.
Be able to perform the position’s physical functions, including regular heavy lifting and moving of equipment and patients, frequent prolonged standing, and bending; assistance or equipment may be provided.
Be able to move, with assistance, machines and equipment weighing up to 200 pounds and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 pounds as high as five feet.
Be able to participate in assigned coverage rotations and travel to other work locations or patient homes when required.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience as a Registered Nurse is preferred.
Home dialysis therapy experience is preferred.
The role is designated for RNs with less than two years of nephrology nursing experience as a Registered Nurse.

Responsibilities

Provide and coordinate assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of care for assigned patients.
Collect and analyze dialysis data on an ongoing, systematic basis; document findings, 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, and document medical justification and effectiveness.
Initiate or assist with emergency response measures.
Serve as a resource for the health care team and participate in staff training and orientation as assigned.
Ensure correct laboratory collection, processing, and shipping procedures, and reschedule missed or insufficient collections.
Identify expected outcomes and collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Team to document and update nursing assessments and plans of care.
Ensure patients are aware of transplant and treatment modality options.
Assist in identifying, evaluating, selecting, and educating home dialysis candidates and home partners.
Assess home environment barriers and evaluate home partners’ and families’ readiness and ability to perform dialysis treatments.
Train home dialysis patients and/or home partners in the safe, effective operation and maintenance of home dialysis equipment and supplies through a formal training program.
Complete CAP requirements for advancement.
Perform 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.
Rotate coverage with other licensed home therapies staff as assigned, including participation in an on-call rotation and coverage during nights, weekends, or holidays as program needs require.
Travel to training sites, other facilities, or patient homes as the position may require.