Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Las Cruces, NM

About The Position

The Home Therapies RN CAP 1 is an entry-level designation in the Clinical Advancement Program. The Registered Nurse is accountable for coordinating and providing 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 prescribed protocols and communicates patient-related concerns to physicians as needed. As a member of the End Stage Kidney Disease health care team, the nurse participates in decision-making, patient teaching, leadership functions, and quality improvement activities that support patient outcomes and facility operations. Duties are performed in accordance with Fresenius Kidney Care policies, procedures, nursing practice standards, and applicable state and federal regulations. The role includes patient and family education, coordination of safe home dialysis care, training patients and home partners to use and maintain equipment, and participation in staff training and orientation. The position may involve direct care in a facility or a patient’s home, travel to training sites or other facilities, and rotating coverage and on-call responsibilities.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Current appropriate state licensure and ability to meet practice requirements in the state of employment.
Current CPR BLS certification or successful completion of certification.
The role is an entry-level designation for RNs with less than 2 years of nephrology nursing experience as a Registered Nurse.
To provide assigned oversight as a team leader or nurse in charge: complete all FKC new-employee education and training requirements, have at least 12 months of RN experience, and complete 3 months of RN experience in home peritoneal dialysis and/or hemodialysis.
Able to perform direct patient care involving regular heavy lifting and moving of equipment and patients, and assistance with ambulation; equipment or coworkers may assist.
Able to stand for frequent, prolonged periods and bend over.
May need to move, with assistance, machines and equipment weighing up to 200 lbs., and lift chemical and water solutions weighing up to 30 lbs. to a height of 5 feet.
Able to work in an environment where exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials may occur.
Able to work on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays as required by program needs.

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 the medical record, modify treatment plans as indicated, and notify a 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 the patient, home care partner, and direct and ancillary care 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 to the health care team and participate in staff training and new-staff orientation as assigned.
Ensure laboratory specimens are collected, processed, and shipped correctly; 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.
Help identify, evaluate, select, and educate home dialysis candidates and home partners.
Assess home environment barriers and the readiness and ability of partners or family members to support home dialysis.
Train home dialysis patients and/or home partners to safely and effectively operate and maintain home dialysis equipment and supplies through the formal training program.
Complete Clinical Advancement Program requirements to advance.
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 nurse in charge after meeting the stated training and experience requirements.
Rotate coverage with other licensed home therapies staff as assigned and participate in the on-call rotation.
Travel to training sites, other facilities, or patient homes as required.