Dialysis Registered Nurse - Acute

The Acute Registered Nurse provides acute dialysis care and treatment to patients within a hospital environment.  This position performs duties as assigned by the Charge Nurse or Acute Manager, including assisting and supervising Patient Care Technicians and Licensed Vocational Nurses.  Acute nurses may report directly to an Acute Manager, Administrator or the first line of regional operational management which may be an Area Director, Regional Director, or Vice President of Operations, depending on the region/demographics. 

 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties and tasks may be assigned.

• Assist with clinical and operational processes to improve patient health and minimize hospitalizations and missed treatments.
• Ensure patient and treatment charge information and other related data are accurate and submitted to the appropriate corporate personnel in a timely manner.

• Perform duties as assigned to meet the patient care or operational needs of the acute program and hospital.

• Complete and document monthly review of patient medication profiles.  Administer medications as ordered by the physician.

• Assist with program’s target goals for patient outcomes in accordance with quality patient care and Company goals.

• Knowledge of and comply with federal, state, local laws and regulations, including health care professionals practice act requirements.

• Complete pre and post treatment physical assessments.

• Initiate and terminate patient treatments to include connecting and disconnecting catheters and cleaning catheter sites per protocol.

• Clean, disinfect and provide quality control of dialysis machines as required by policy and procedures.

• Participate in infection control monitoring, implementation, and recording as requested.

• Ensure provision of dialysis related services such as Hemodialysis, Peritoneal dialysis, Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) and Plasmapheresis (TPE) if contracted to do so.

• Participate in all JCAHO, CMS, DPH and OSHA surveys as required.

• Ensure nursing care is carried out as directed and treatment is administered in accordance with physician instructions.

• Inform Acute Manager or Administrator of all incidents, conditions, and concerns related to patient care, staff and patient safety, and in accordance with company policy.

• Prepare and maintain dialysis machines and systems per policy:  maintain dialysis records, prepare dialysis water treatment system for use according to established procedure and understand technical operations to resolve minor problems independently.

• Notify Bio-Medical Technician regarding machine or water treatment malfunctions and provide appropriate documentation.

• Communicate results of patient assessment, reassessment, and ongoing monitoring to the physician, team members, and others as appropriate to the individual needs of the patient.

• Assure proper coordination of care between hospitals and outpatient dialysis facilities as applicable.

• Maintain communication and continuity of planned care when a patient is transferred to other company facilities.

• Participate in staff meetings as required.  Attend in-service and continuing education offerings in compliance with company policy and procedure.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Requirements include:

U.S. Renal Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veteran.