Outpatient Registered Nurse – RN – Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:
Functions as part of the hemodialysis health care team as a Staff Registered Nurse to ensure provision of quality patient care on a daily basis in accordance with FMS policies, procedures, and training. Supports the FMCNA commitment to the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and CQI Activities, including those related to patient satisfaction and actively participates in process improvement activities that enhance the likelihood that patients will achieve the FMCNA Quality Enhancement Goals (QEP).
Supports the FMCNA’s mission, vision, values, and customer service philosophy. Adheres to all requirements of the FMCNA Compliance Program, and FMS patient care and administrative policies.
DUTIES/ACTIVITIES:
CUSTOMER SERVICE:

Responsible for driving the FMS culture through values and customer service standards.

Accountable for outstanding customer service to all external and internal customers.

Develops and maintains effective relationships through effective and timely communication.

Takes initiative and action to respond, resolve and follow up regarding customer service issues with all customers in a timely manner.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
STAFF RELATED:

Directs Patient Care Technician’s provision of safe and effective delivery of chronic hemodialysis therapy to patients in compliance with standards outlined in the facility policy procedure manuals, as well as regulations set forth by the corporation, state, and federal agencies

Delegates tasks to all direct patient care staff including but not limited to LVN/LPNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Dialysis Assistants

Assesses daily patient care needs and develops appropriate patient care assignments

Monitors patient care staff for appropriate techniques and adherence to facility policy and procedures

Participates in staff training and orientation of new staff as assigned

Participates in all required staff meetings as scheduled

PATIENT RELATED:
Education:

Ensures educational needs of patients and family are met regarding End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Provides ongoing education to patients regarding their renal disease, vascular access and dialysis therapy, and other related health conditions

Discusses with patient, and records education related to diet/fluid and medication compliance

Provides patient specific detailed education regarding adequacy measures where applicable – Online Clearance Monitoring (OLC), Adequacy Monitoring Program (AMP), Urea Kinetic Modeling (UKM)

Ensures transplant awareness, modality awareness, and drive catheter reduction

Educates patients regarding laboratory values and the relationship to adequate dialysis therapy, compliance with treatment schedule, medications, and fluid

Dialysis Treatment:

Provides safe and effective delivery of care to patients with ESRD

Implements accurate treatment prescriptions including Sodium (Na) modeling prescription, and Ultrafiltration modeling (where appropriate) to ensure stable treatment therapy as indicated

Assesses patients’ response to hemodialysis treatment therapy, making appropriate adjustments and modifications to the treatment plan as indicated by the prescribing physician. Communicates problems or concerns to the Team Leader or physician.

Identifies and communicates patient related issues to Team Leader or physician

Initiates Initial and Annual Nursing Assessment, and ongoing evaluation and documentation of patient care needs according to FMC Policies and Procedures

Participates in the pre evaluation, initiation, monitoring, termination, access homeostasis, and post evaluation of patients receiving hemodialysis treatment therapy according to established FMC procedures

Identifies and implements appropriate intervention for changes in patient adequacy status and troubleshooting access flow issues as identified by OLC/AMP yellow lights

Provides, supervises (if applicable), and monitors hemodialysis access care according to established procedures.

Implements, administers, monitors, and documents patient’s response to prescribed intradialytic transfusions, including appropriate notification of adverse reactions to physician and appropriate blood supplier

Ensures accurate and complete documentation by Patient Care Technician on the Hemodialysis Treatment Sheet

Laboratory-related:

Reviews, transcribes, and enters physician lab orders accurately into the Medical Information System

Ensures appropriate preparation of lab requisitions for Spectra or alternate lab

Ensures correct labs tubes are utilized for prescribed lab specimens and that lab draw and processing procedures are performed appropriately for all lab samples

Identifies and ensures appropriate follow-through regarding missed labs and specimens reported to be insufficient according to company policies and procedures

Ensures all specimens are appropriately packaged according to Department of Transportation (DOT) policies and procedures relating to shipment of blood or body fluid specimens and potentially hazardous material

Ensures that all labs are directed and delivered to appropriate labs

Reports alert/panic and abnormal labs results to appropriate physician

Ensures lab results are forwarded to physicians as requested

General duties:

Enforces all company approved polices and procedures, as well as regulations set forth by state and federal agencies and departments

Maintains overall shift operation in a safe, efficient, and effective manner

Act as a resource for other staff members

Routinely meets with the Clinical Manager to discuss personnel and patient care status, issues, and information

Collaborate and communicate with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to interpret, adjust, and coordinate care provided to the patient

Provides assistance as needed to patients regarding prescription refills according to FMCNA Policies

Ensures all physician orders are transcribed and entered into the Medical Information system in a timely manner.

Oversees all documentation of patient information

Maintains facility drug list for all required stock medications

Maintains competency with all emergency operational procedures, and initiates CPR and emergency measures in the event of a cardiac and/or respiratory arrest

Ensures verification and availability of adequate emergency equipment

Ensures provision of appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual Tuberculosis (TB) testing

Administers medications as prescribed or in accordance with approved algorithm(s), and documents appropriate medical justification if indicated

Administers PRN medications as prescribed and completes appropriate documentation of assessment of effectiveness.

Maintains appropriate recording of controlled substances as required by law

Assists with the coordination of patient transportation if necessary

MAINTENANCE/TECHNICAL:

Ensures a clean, safe, and sanitary environment in the dialysis facility treatment area

Ensures competency in the operation of all dialysis-related equipment safely and effectively

Ensures all patient stations, including machines and chairs, are clean and free of blood and placed appropriately

Ensures that all blood spills are immediately addressed according to FMCNA Blood-borne Pathogen Control Policies

MEDICAL RECORDS & DOCUMENTATION:
General

Ensures all relevant data including physician orders, lab results, vital signs and treatment parameters, and patient status are documented appropriately and entered into Medical Information System

Ensures all appropriate patient related treatment data is entered into the Medical Information System

Ensures all FMCNA policies regarding patient admission, transfer, and discharge are appropriately implemented

Ensures and verify accuracy of Patient Care Technician documentation

Daily

Reviews and ensures appropriate daily completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets by all patient care staff

Ensures that all appropriate procedures are followed regarding opening and closing procedures, inclusive of monitoring that all staff and patients have safely left the premises

Monthly

Initiates, documents, and completes ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities including monthly reports

Completes monthly nurses’ progress note

Ensures patient medical records are complete with appropriate information, documentation, and identification on each page (Addressograph label is on all chart forms)

Reviews transplant status and follows established procedure regarding appropriate action to be taken

Completes patient care plans for new patients within the initial 30 days or any patients deemed unstable requiring monthly patient care plans

Completes any long-term programs that are due

Annually

Completes initial and annual Nursing History and Assessment physical

Ensures completion of Annual Standing Order Review with each physician as required

OTHER:

Performs additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:….. click apply for full job details