SUMMARY
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.
GROWTH
· Assist with clinical and operational processes to improve patient health and minimize hospitalizations and rehospitalization.
· Ensure patient and treatment charge information and other related data are accurate and submitted appropriately.
· Demonstrate effective use of supplies and staff labor hours.
· May participate in inventory management, including end-of-month inventory reporting and adherence to company purchasing protocols.
· Perform duties as assigned to meet the patient care or operational needs.
OUTCOMES
· Administer medications as ordered by the physician..
· Provide patient education and follow up as needed.
· Assist with program's target goals in meeting quality metrics for patient outcomes in accordance with quality patient care and Company goals.
OPERATIONAL
READINESS
· Knowledge of and comply with federal, state, local laws and regulations, including health care professionals practice act requirements.
· Perform duties at all times within limitations established by and in accordance with company policy and procedures, hospital policy, applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
· Complete water quality verification and equipment safety checks prior to each treatment, to include second verification as required.
· Complete pre and post treatment physical assessments.
· Complete pre and post Handoff Communication with hospital nurses.
· Initiate and terminate patient treatments to include connecting and disconnecting catheters and cleaning catheter sites.
· Set up dialysis machines; report machine problems to biomedical technician and/or Acute Manager as appropriate.
· 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.
· Use personal protective equipment as necessary.
· Be familiar with emergency equipment and all emergency operational procedures, as required by hospital.
OPERATIONAL
READINESS
(cont.)
· Demonstrate effective staffing based on acuity, skill mix and company guidelines.
· 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 surveys as required.
· Ensure nursing care is carried out as directed and treatment is administered in accordance with physician orders.
· Ensure appropriate and required information is documented in patient records.
· Inform Supervisor, Medical Director or Physician and Hospital Liaison 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 troubleshoot problems independently.
· Notify Bio-Medical Technician regarding machine or water treatment malfunctions, values out of parameters and document as required.
PARTNERSHIPS
· Communicate results of patient assessment, reassessment, and ongoing monitoring to the physician.
· Maintain collaborative working relationship with physicians, nurse practitioners, and other hospital healthcare professionals.
· Actively promote GUEST customer service standards; develop effective relationships at all levels of the organization.
· Address patient concerns timely and professionally; following hospital policy.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT/ RETENTION
· Participate in staff meetings as required. Attend and complete all company and hospital required in-service and continuing education.
· May delegate tasks to competent licensed and unlicensed staff per applicable state practice act.
· Assist with staff training as requested.
· Lead staff in team concepts and promote a team effort.