Outpatient Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

About the Role

The professional registered nurse Outpatient RN CAP 2 may be an entry-level designation into the Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) for new employees who meet the RN CAP 2 criteria or attained through advancement from RN CAP 1. This position is accountable for the provision and coordination of clinically competent care, including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation for an assigned group of patients. This may include delegation of appropriate tasks to direct patient care staff such as RNs, LVN/LPNs, and Patient Care Technicians. As a member of the End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) healthcare team, this role participates in decision-making, teaching, leadership functions, and quality improvement activities that enhance patient care outcomes and facility operations.

Responsibilities

• Performs all essential functions under the direction of the Supervisor and with guidance from the Clinical Educator, Preceptor, or in collaboration with other Registered Nurses.
• Performs ongoing, systematic collection and analysis of patient data pre-, during, and post-hemodialysis treatment for assigned patients. Documents in the patient medical record, makes adjustments or modifications to the treatment plan as indicated, and notifies the Team Leader, Charge Nurse, Supervisor, or Physician as needed.
• Assesses, collaborates, and documents patient/family’s basic learning needs to provide initial and ongoing education.
• Directs and provides, in collaboration with direct and ancillary patient care staff, all aspects of the daily provision of safe and effective delivery of hemodialysis therapy to assigned patients.
• Administers medications as prescribed or in accordance with approved algorithm(s) and documents appropriate medical justification and effectiveness.
• Initiates or assists with emergency response measures.
• Serves as a resource, leader, coach, mentor, and role model for new and incumbent employees by setting examples of appropriate behavior, work habits, and attitudes.
• Ensures correct laboratory collection, processing, and shipping procedures are performed and reschedules missed or insufficient laboratory collections.
• Identifies expected outcomes, documents, and updates the nursing assessment and plan of care for assigned patients through collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Ensures patient awareness related to transplant and treatment modality options.
• Participates in education and quality improvement projects at the facility and area level as directed by Supervisor.
• May serve as a Preceptor to new employees.
• Required to complete CAP requirements to maintain or advance.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
• Current appropriate state licensure.
• Current or successful completion of CPR BLS Certification.
• Must meet the practice requirements in the state in which employed.
• Minimum of 2 years of Nephrology Nursing experience (entry-level for RNs).
• Dialysis experience required; may require floating.

Supervision

Assigned oversight of Patient Care Technicians, LVN/LPNs, and RNs as a Team Leader or designated Nurse in Charge after meeting all the following:

• Successful completion of all Fresenius Kidney Care education and training requirements for new employees.
• Minimum of 3 months of experience in chronic/acute hemodialysis as an RN.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting, moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation. Equipment aids and/or coworkers may provide assistance.
• Requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the ability to bend over.
• May occasionally be required to move, with assistance, machines and equipment of up to 200 lbs., and may lift chemical and water solutions of up to 30 lbs. as high as 5 feet.
• Work environment is characteristic of a healthcare facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Day-to-day work includes desk work, computer work, and interaction with patients, facility/hospital staff, and physicians.
• May require travel to training sites or other facilities.
• May be asked to provide essential functions of this position in other locations with the same physical demands and working conditions.