Registered Nurse, Dialysis Unit, Full time, Day Shift, On Call Required - Steward Health Care

Dialysis RN -On Call Required

POSITION SUMMARY:
Responsible for planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating patient care of adults and geriatric patients. The RN coordinates, delegates, and provides direct nursing care for patients by working cooperatively with patients, family members, and all patient care team members. The RN provides supervision for patient team members in accordance with their level of training and the patients acuity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under supervision, the dialysis staff nurse maintains accountability for the coordination and delivery of care to patients with renal disease.

The responsibility of the dialysis staff nurse include:

• Oversees the preparation of the delivery system, dialysate bath, and dialyzer and confirms that all mandatory alarm test on the dialyzer and equipment are performed.
• Reviews physician orders for dialysis patients, collects pre-treatment dialysis date, and reviews patient records prior to dialysis.
• Conducts pre-dialysis patient assessment including obtaining patient vital signs and assessing the patients vascular access, laboratory findings, and the patients general health.
• Verifies that patients are taking all prescribed medications and performs medication reconciliation.
• Documents findings of patient assessments and interventions and advises providers of any significant change in the patients condition and other pertinent information.
• Discusses patient concerns and answers questions relevant to care.
• Oversees dialysis technicians (when applicable) in the performance of dialysis from start to finish, monitors patient reactions to treatment and performance of the dialysis machines.
• Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the mechanics of dialysis.
• Assesses, prepares, and cannulates a patients vascular access (Including needle insertion in arteriovenous fistulas or grafts for aseptic connection with dialysis equipment).
• Utilizes sterile techniques to assess the dialysis catheter exit site and to apply dressings on the patients vascular access (dialysis catheter or arteriovenous access) per protocol.
• Maintains skills necessary to perform surveillance on dialysis access (catheter, fistula, graft) for early signs of failure or infection; this includes (if needed and after receiving the appropriate training) the ability to perform arteriovenous access monitoring using ultrasound machine per protocol.
• Reviews patient' s electronic/paper records for orders as appropriate and administers dialysis- related intra-venous and/or oral medications as prescribed and/or per protocol.
• Conducts post dialysis assessment and patient discharge by evaluating treatment, documenting medication administration utilizing the appropriate protocols, assessing condition of vascular access, discharging the patient when vital signs are stable, and documenting and recording patient treatment data.
• Provides patient education/teaching applicable to the patient' s medical condition.
• Refers patient to other disciplines or services as needed (nutrition, social work, etc.).
• Performs other treatments and diagnostic tests such as blood sugar testing and other tests required as part of patient treatment.
• Oversees disassembly and disinfection of dialysis equipment.
• Maintains skills necessary to do regional heparinization, separate and store blood samples, set up oxygen, administer saline, and maintain dialysis equipment.
• Performs surveillance and testing of dialysis water treatment equipment and dialysis water (such as chlorine, hardness, conductivity, water cultures) to ensure that these machines are operating within the parameters set in the facility's written protocols.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of dialysis laboratory tests and dialysis medications.
• Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of infection control and prevention of transmission of blood borne pathogens.
• Participates in quality improvement activities to include collection of data for the dialysis unit Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) plan.
• Responds appropriately and provides assistance in emergency situations.
• Provides leadership in improving patient care, maintaining standards of care, directing and teaching personnel in a variety of settings, and providing charge nurse responsibilities as needed.
• Works closely with others on the dialysis team and participates in interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Maintains responsibility for providing coverage to the dialysis department.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Minimum of 1-year direct patient care experience required.
• Required to take call evenings/weekends as needed to provide sufficient coverage as dictated by patient census.
• Prior experience providing nursing care to patients on acute dialysis preferred.
• Demonstrates high level of personal and professional accountability and responsibility.
• Self-directed and performs duties independently.
• Ability to problems solve and apply critical thinking skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate and coordinate patient care activities with the interdisciplinary team.
• Certification through the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) is advantageous.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/LICENSURE/TECHNICAL/OTHER:
I. Education:
II. Software/Hardware: Basic computer skills required.
III. License/Certification:

• Registered Nurse- licensed in the state of Florida.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ACLS) certification from American Heart Association.

Palmetto General Hospital is proud to be a minority, physician owned organization. Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are at the foundation of the care we provide, the community services we support and all our employment practices. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and or expression or any other non-job-related characteristic.