Dialysis Charge Nurse - Registered Nurse

I. Primary Function/General Purpose of Position

This position provides clinical direction to staff members and clinical patient care for a shift of patients in accordance with Cadia Healthcare Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, OSHA, CMS, federal, state, and local regulations.

II. Employment Qualifications

• Education, licenses, certifications, and experience required to fulfill the essential duties, include computer skills as required.
• A.D.N degree from accredited school of nursing required; B.S.N preferred; three-year diploma from accredited diploma program may be substituted for nursing degree
• Current RN license in state of practice required
• Minimum of two years clinical nursing experience including a minimum of (12) months’ experience providing nursing care in med surge, critical care or emergency care.
• Current CPR certification required
• CNN or CDN preferred
• Supervisory experience preferred; willingness, desire, and ability to supervise required
• Completed training program approved by the medical director and the governing body as required by CMS guidelines prior to operating the water treatment system
• Basic computer skills in MS Word, Excel and Outlook as well as functional proficiency with Cadia Healthcare Dialysis specific application within 60 days of employment required

III. Essential Job Functions

The following duties and responsibilities generally reflect the expectation of this position but are not intended to be all inclusive.

Patient Care

• Supervise and perform direct patient care including but not limited to taking/monitoring vital signs, initiation and termination of dialysis, documentation, physical assessment of patients and patient treatments, taking and transcription of physician’s orders, drawing and documentation of ordered laboratory work
• Note any signs of trauma, patients’ general physical and mental condition, review of dialysis orders, document observations in patient medical records legibly
• Analyze patient assessments, laboratory data and, when concerns are noted, bring issues to the attention of the physician
• Communicate all emergencies, patient life-threatening complications and related incidents to supervisor, Medical Director, Dialysis Administrator, and Clinical Nurse Manager.
• Assess patient and family learning readiness and provide appropriate information on renal disease, prescribed dialysis treatment and medical regimen and its impact on the patient’s state of health and well-being
• Provide hemodialysis therapy including but not limited to formulating dialysis plan per physician orders, weight and rate to be ultrafiltrated, ensuring safety measures are in place and complied with, administering medications or other appropriate treatments, discontinuing dialysis according to established procedure, documenting all activity appropriately
• Instruct patient on pre- and post-dialysis care
• Administer patient quality care in a considerate, respectful manner
• Participate in assessments, monthly, quarterly and annual care planning and monthly progress notes

Facility/Equipment Management

• Inform Dialysis Administrator or Clinical Nurse Manager of all incidents, conditions, problems, counseling and the necessity for further counseling as it relates to staff member, patient care and unit/Hospital management
• Prepare and maintain dialysis machines and systems per Cadia policy: prepare dialysis water treatment system for use according to established procedure and understand the technical operations to resolve minor problems independently
• Notify bio-medical technician regarding machine or water treatment malfunctions and provide appropriate documentation

Financial Management/Quality Assurance

• Review treatment records and ensure accuracy of charges
• Participate in quality improvement programs
• Ensure compliance with Cadia policies and procedures in accordance with state and federal regulations relating to patient care and services (CMS, HIPAA, OSHA, AMMI or other governing agencies)
• Comply with state or federal regulations of the Staff Health and Safety Training Program

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

• Work overtime with little or no notice as needed
• Attend team meetings, phone conferences, quality improvement meetings, educational activities, and training as needed
• Know, understand, and follow employee guidelines, employment policies, and department or company procedures
• Consistent, regular, punctual attendance as scheduled is an essential responsibility of this position.