Registered Nurse (Rn) - Dialysis

Join Team Tidelands and help people live better lives through better health!
Position Summary: The dialysis nurse maintains accountability for the coordination and delivery of care to patients with acute or chronic renal failure and may delegate tasks, as appropriate per the scope of practice, to the dialysis technician. By utilizing current Evidence Based Practices in all aspects of the provision of dialysis care, the dialysis nurse assures the delivery of highly reliable care for their patients while maintaining a safe and supportive environment. The dialysis nurse will have the opportunity to participate in shared governance councils and the nursing clinical ladder program.
Specific Responsibilities:

• Oversees the preparation of the delivery system, dialysate bath, and dialyzer and confirms that all mandatory alarm tests on the dialyzer and equipment are performed.
• Reviews physician orders for dialysis patients, collects pre-treatment dialysis data, and reviews patient records prior to dialysis.
• Conducts pre-dialysis patient assessment including obtaining patient vital signs and assessing the patient' s vascular access, laboratory findings, and the patient' s 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 patient's condition and other pertinent information.
• Discusses patient concerns and answers questions relevant to care.
• Oversees dialysis technicians in the performance of dialysis from start to finish, monitors patient reaction to treatment and performance of the dialysis machines, and demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the mechanics of dialysis.
• Assesses, prepares, and cannulates a patient' s vascular access (including needle insertion in arteriovenous fistula or grafts for aseptic connection with dialysis equipment).
• Utilizes sterile techniques to assess the dialysis catheter exit site and to apply dressing on the patient' s vascular access (dialysis catheter , arteriovenous access) per protocols.
• 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.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:

• Minimum of one year of dialysis nursing care required, inpatient dialysis experience preferred.

Education:

• Graduate of an accredited RN program. ADN required, BSN preferred.

Licensure/Certification:

• Current Registered Nurse licensure in good standing with the South Carolina LLR.
• Certified Dialysis Nurse or National Nephrology Certification Commission or other nationally recognized clinical certification in dialysis care, highly preferred.
• American Heart Association Healthcare provider course with Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required to be initially completed with the TH Organizational Development Office within 30 calendar days of hire date (exceptions to obtain certification from a provider other than the TH Organizational Development Office are approved by TH Organizational Development on a case-by-case basis). BLS Recertification is required every two (2) years.
• ACLS required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, required.
• Strong organizational, communication and multitasking skills, required.
• Ability to complete work in a timely and efficient manner and ensures work is accurate, required.
• Demonstrate professionalism and ability to deliver on personal and organizational commitments, required.
• Effectively respond to changing circumstances and priorities, required.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal direction, required.
• Knowledge of Tablo dialysis systems preferred.
• Knowledge of MediTech and/or EPIC EMRs preferred.

Other:

• Required to work in all Tidelands Health inpatient facilities. Requires travel from one destination to another using personal transportation.
• Ability to primarily work in an enclosed office area, required.
• Manual dexterity required for handling reports, charts, instruments, and equipment.
• Verbal and written communication and the ability to effectively communicate is essential to the position to communicate with staff, patients, and their families.
• Near visual acuity required to work with charts and records and observe patients and staff.

Physical Requirements: Medium Physical Agility Test (PAT) Rating
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently (activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) required to stand, sit, and walk; occasionally (activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) to use hands, fingers; and frequently to talk or hear. The employee must exert 20 to 35 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 15 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Tidelands Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Tidelands Health does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender, genetic information, familial status, or any other legally protected status.