RN - Dialysis

Full-time, 40 hours per week, Rotating shifts

Job Summary:

Performs standard nursing practices as outlined by Dialysis Unit policies and procedures.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Demonstrate understanding of the standards of care related to hemodialysis/ESRD nursing.
• Demonstrates proficiency in performing dialysis nursing by:
  
  
  
  • Assessing patient access for patency and/or complications
  • Performing cannulation efficiently and effectively
  • Assessing patient pre and post treatment
  • performing dialysis treatment per unit standard
  • monitoring for patient response to Rx
  • Assessing patient for discharge
  • Monitoring estimated dry weight appropriately
  • Handling complications efficiently and effectively
  • seeking guidance/advice from appropriate source when indicated
  • maintaining effective psycho-social skills with patients
  
  
  
  
• Collects and documents all data pertinent to each patient's actual and potential needs.
• Documents and reports significant findings of ongoing patient assessment.
• Formulates the patient plan of care based on acceptable standards of practice.
• Communicates the patient plan of care (written/verbal) through established procedures.
• Plans individualized patient care using nursing theory in collaboration with patient and other health care providers.
  
  
  
  • Attends Short- and Long-Term Care Plan conferences
  
  
  
  
• Implements patient's plan of care in collaboration with patient, family members and significant others.
• Communicates the initial plan of care and revision (written/verbal) through shift reports and other established procedures.
• Implements, consistently provides and documents patient education related to ESRD/dialysis plan of care in the patient record.
• Evaluates nursing interventions to changing patient situations as demonstrated by patient outcome, documentation in the patient record and revision of the plan of care.
• Prioritizes nursing interventions in complex and rapidly changing patient situations, as evidenced by the patient outcome and documentation in the record.
• Recognizes acute problems that occur in the unit and intervenes in a safe manner, in accordance with Nursing Department and Hospital procedure.
• Reports unusual occurrences to Clinical Coordinator/Clinical Nurse Manager and/or MD as appropriate.
• Demonstrates proficiency in administering treatments, procedures and equipment appropriate to the unit/department as demonstrated by the skills checklist.
• Administers safely and documents medication regimen according to established procedures with no more than three (3) documented errors per year.
• Uses standard precautions and appropriate personal protective equipment as outlined in the Nursing Department Infection Control Manual.
• Demonstrates competency in the following areas by physical demonstration, verbal or written exam (medical equipment, age specific assessment and intervention, procedures such as IV therapy, lab draws, medication administration, etc.), as may be required in the performance of job duties and responsibilities.
• Participates in activities designed for professional growth in nursing as well as Nephrology.
• Attends all mandatory Hospital/Nursing Department in-service training sessions and meetings.
• Participates in department meetings and conferences as required.
• Reviews and signs all in-service updates.
• Identifies own limitations in skills and knowledge as demonstrated by seeking guidance when needed from appropriate colleagues.
• Actively participates in own performance appraisal.

• Helps maintains performance and sterility of dialysis machines by performing:
  
  
  
  • Heat and bleach disinfection
  • Obtaining monthly cultures
  • Maintaining machine logs
  
  
  
  
• Maintains order by maintaining adequate stock of supplies and ensuring adequate forms for the clinical record, patient education, etc.
• Participates in department quality improvement activities.
• Provides assistance to other staff members when needed and requested
• Participates in the orientation of new staff members.
• Assists in the scheduling of seasonal/transient patients and obtaining the necessary transfer paperwork.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information in accordance with Hospital policy and applicable statutes and regulations.

• Maintains confidentiality of patient information in accordance with Hospital policy and applicable statutes and regulations.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for the Position

Skills:

• Must be able to demonstrate adequate technical skills and judgment to function unsupervised during on-call, second shift, and weekend hours.

Ability to:

• Ability to tactfully communicate with both internal and external customers.
• Ability to handle stress and work in emergency situations. Ability to use of fingers and hands to operate all department-related equipment as described on the Department checklist. Additionally, must use beeper, telephone, calculator, fax, and other related office equipment.
• Ability to Stand and walk approximately ninety percent (90%) of shift, with frequent climbing, bending, reaching, stooping, squatting, and helping to lift objects and/or patients ranging from five (5) to three hundred (300) or more pounds.
• Ability to bend, twist, crouch, squat, pull, push, reach, and remain stationary for short period of times and perform repetitive motions.
• Ability to use hands, fingers, arms and wrists, hearing, smell, and verbal skills are required in order to perform job duties.
• Ability to differentiate colors

Credentials and Experience Required

• Graduate of an accredited RN program required;
• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Prior experience of greater than 1 year in a medical/surgical unit required.
• Critical care experience preferred.
• Valid Massachusetts RN License
• BLS/CPR certification required within one week of hire. AHA & ARC accepted.
• ACLS preferred.

Special Requirements

• Must be available to work day or evening shifts, as well as weekend rotations, as assigned.
• Must be available to stay overnight should need arise during patient transports off island.
• Must be able to rotate to other units, as assigned.
• Must be willing to work additional shifts, as assigned.
• Must be available to work in the case of a declared hospital emergency.
• Must be tested on hire for color-blindness