Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

About the Role

The registered professional nurse Home Therapies RN CAP 1 is an entry-level designation in the Clinical Advancement Program (CAP). This position is accountable for providing and coordinating clinically competent care, including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation for an assigned group of patients. The role involves managing patients' responses to home dialysis training and treatment, following protocols, and communicating patient-related issues to physicians. As part of the End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) health care team, this position contributes to decision-making, teaching, leadership, and quality improvement activities to enhance patient care outcomes and facility operations.

Responsibilities

• Performs all duties under the direction of the Supervisor with guidance from the Educator, Preceptor, or in collaboration with another Registered Nurse.
• Conducts ongoing, systematic collection and analysis of dialysis data for assigned patients, documents findings in the patient medical record, and adjusts or modifies the treatment plan as needed.
• Assesses, collaborates, and documents patient/family’s basic learning needs to provide initial and ongoing education.
• Directs and provides, in collaboration with the patient, home care partner, and staff, all aspects of safe and effective dialysis therapy delivery.
• Administers medications as prescribed or according to approved algorithms, documenting justification and effectiveness.
• Initiates or assists with emergency response measures.
• Serves as a resource for the health care team and participates in staff training and orientation.
• Ensures correct laboratory collection, processing, and shipping procedures; reschedules missed or insufficient collections.
• Identifies expected outcomes, documents, and updates the nursing assessment and plan of care through collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Ensures patient awareness of transplant and treatment modality options.
• Assists in identifying, evaluating, selecting, and educating Home Dialysis candidates and Home Partners.
• Performs assessments to identify barriers in the home environment and partner/family readiness for home dialysis.
• Trains Home Dialysis patients and/or Home Partners on the safe operation and maintenance of all home dialysis equipment and supplies.
• Completes CAP requirements to advance in the program.

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 of employment.
• Entry-level for RNs with less than 2 years of Nephrology Nursing experience as a Registered Nurse.
• Minimum of 1-year experience as a Registered Nurse (preferred).
• Home dialysis therapy experience (preferred).

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Provides direct patient care involving heavy lifting, moving equipment, and assisting with ambulation; coworkers or equipment aids may assist.
• Requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and bending over.
• May occasionally move machines and equipment up to 200 lbs with assistance.
• May lift chemical and water solutions of up to 30 lbs as high as 5 feet.
• Works in a health care facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Rotates coverage with other licensed home therapies staff, including on-call, night, weekend, and holiday shifts as needed.
• May require travel to training sites, other facilities, or patient homes.
• Day-to-day work includes desk work, computer use, and interaction with patients, staff, and physicians.

Supervision

May oversee LPNs/LVNs, RNs, Patient Care Technicians, and Home Therapy Care Team Assistants as a Team Leader or designated Nurse in charge after meeting the following requirements:

• Successful completion of all Fresenius Kidney Care education and training requirements for new employees.
• Minimum of 12 months of experience as an RN.
• Successful completion of 3 months of experience as an RN in home peritoneal dialysis and/or hemodialysis.