Acute Inpatient Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

About the Role

The Inpatient RN provides direct patient care in accordance with company policies and procedures, including FMCNA compliance programs and contracted hospitals’ policies. Areas of practice are diverse, including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, continuous renal replacement therapies, apheresis, and ultrafiltration. The Inpatient RN partners with hospitals to deliver quality care and a positive patient experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform a broad range of tasks involving direct patient care in multiple modalities: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, ultrafiltration, continuous renal replacement therapy, and apheresis.
• Supervise and direct Patient Care Technicians and clerical staff; provide direction and education to ICU staff for CRRT.
• Deliver direct patient care and apply appropriate treatment techniques as prescribed, including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, continuous renal replacement therapies, ultrafiltration, and apheresis.
• Assess patients’ responses to treatment therapy and adjust or modify the treatment plan as indicated by a credentialed physician.
• Communicate problems or concerns to the Inpatient Program Manager, credentialed physician, hospital primary nurse, and other relevant parties.
• Provide organized, concise shift reports and apply critical thinking to adjust patient schedules based on labs, physician orders, or patient assessments.
• Implement, administer, monitor, and document patient responses to prescribed intradialytic transfusions, including notifying physicians and blood suppliers of adverse reactions.
• Collaborate with physicians and healthcare team members to interpret, adjust, and coordinate daily patient care plans.
• Initiate communication with FMS facility nursing staff and hospital personnel as needed.
• Accurately document all treatment information in patient records (ACES) and hospital records.
• Clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
• Prepare for dialysis treatment and document where appropriate.
• Perform pre-treatment dialysis machine alarm testing and operate related equipment safely, including minor troubleshooting.
• Conduct and document dialysis/apheresis machine safety tests, equipment calibration, dialysate testing, and disinfection procedures.
• Participate in QAI activities, staff meetings, and training/orientation as assigned.
• Act as a subject matter expert to hospital staff for dialysis-related patient or equipment complications.
• Report new or unusual incidents, complaints, or problems to the inpatient manager per Adverse Event Report requirements.
• Review and comply with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies, laws, and regulations.
• Assist with various projects as assigned by a direct supervisor.

Requirements

• Current appropriate state licensure.
• Must meet practice requirements in the state of employment.
• Certification in Nephrology Nursing, Apheresis Nursing, or both is highly encouraged.
• One year of RN experience with required nursing skills.
• Minimum of 6 months of nephrology experience before working independently in dialysis and ultrafiltration services.
• Minimum of 6 months of nephrology experience before working independently in apheresis services.
• Demonstrated strong assessment skills related to critically ill patients.
• ICU experience preferred but not required.
• Successful completion of a training course in the theory and practice of care for ESRD patients (Progressive Renal Education Preparation).
• BLS CPR certification.
• ACLS CPR certification preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills, with a commitment to ongoing renal/nephrology education.
• Leadership skills and ability to direct and supervise others (e.g., PCTs, CCHTs, clerical staff).
• Successful completion of Nurses Technical Training.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Direct patient care, interaction with patients, outpatient clinicians, hospital staff, and physicians.
• Travel between assigned hospitals and facilities, including regional meetings and educational events.
• On-call rotation, including nights, days, weekends, and holidays.
• Potential exposure to infectious materials and contagious diseases.
• Regularly involves heavy lifting and moving of patients or equipment (over 200 lbs with assistance).
• May lift chemical and water solutions of up to 30 lbs as high as 5 feet.

Supervision

Provides supervision and direction of Patient Care Technicians (Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technicians) and clerical staff; provides direction and education to ICU staff for CRRT.