Registered Nurse - RN

Overview

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:
The registered professional nurse Home Therapies RN CAP 1 is an entry level designation into the Clinical Advancement Program (CAP). This position is accountable and responsible for the provision and coordination of clinically competent care including assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation for an assigned group of patients. Assesses and manages patients’ response to home dialysis training and treatment therapy by following prescribed predetermined protocols and communicates patient related issues to the physician as needed.

As a member of the End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) health care team, this position participates in decision‑making, teaching, leadership functions and quality improvement activities that enhance patient care outcomes and facility operations.

• Perform all essential functions under the direction of the Supervisor with guidance from the Educator, Preceptor or in collaboration with another Registered Nurse.
• Perform ongoing, systematic collection and analysis of dialysis data for assigned patients, document in the patient medical record, make adjustments or modifications to treatment plan as indicated and notify Supervisor or physician as needed.
• Assess, collaborate and document patient/family’s basic learning needs to provide initial and ongoing education to patients and family.
• Direct and provide, in collaboration with the patient, home care partner, direct and ancillary patient care staff, all aspects of the provision of safe and effective delivery of dialysis therapy to assigned patients.
• Administer medications as prescribed or in accordance with approved algorithm(s) and document appropriate medical justification and effectiveness.
• Initiate or assist with emergency response measures.
• Serve as a resource for health care team, participate in staff training and orientation of new staff as assigned.
• Ensure correct laboratory collection, processing and shipping procedures are performed and reschedule missed or insufficient laboratory collections.
• Identify expected outcomes, document and update the nursing assessment and plan of care for assigned patients through collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Ensure patient awareness related to transplant and treatment modality options.
• Assist in the identification, evaluation, selection and education of Home Dialysis candidates and Home Partners.
• Perform assessment and identify barriers of the Home Dialysis candidate’s home environment and partner/family readiness and ability to perform dialysis treatments in the home.
• Train Home Dialysis patients and / or Home Partners on the safe, effective operation and maintenance of all Home Dialysis equipment and treatment supplies through an organized and formal Home Dialysis Training Program.
• Required to complete CAP requirements to advance.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

• Provide direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting, moving of equipment, patients and assisting with ambulation; equipment aids and/or coworkers may provide assistance.
• Require frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the employee must be able to bend over.
• Occasionally required to move, with assistance, machines and equipment of up to 200 lbs and may lift chemical and water solutions of up to 30 lbs as high as 5 feet.
• Work environment characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.
• Rotate coverage with other licensed home therapies staff as assigned to ensure reliable and adequate coverage.
• Position requires participation in on‑call rotation, night, weekend, holiday or as defined by individual program needs.
• May require travel to training sites, other facilities or patient homes.
• May be asked to provide essential functions of this position in other locations including patient’s home with the same physical demands and working conditions as described above.
• Day to day work includes desk work, computer work, interaction with patients, facility/hospital staff and physicians.