Outpatient Registered Nurse 2 - Transitional Care Unit

In some designated programs, RN’s who have achieved a CAP 2 status may participate in our Transitional Care Program. That program entails the following:

• Following all newly admitted patients through their first 4 weeks of dialysis and coordinating their transitional dialysis care

• Coordinating all education and care related matters as it relates to the new patient; liaisons with appropriate FKC staff members to provide the best patient experience and education to include making sure all disciplines are scheduled to see patient according to plan

• Demonstrating and education on home dialysis products to ensure patient understands the benefits of home and how home dialysis can work for them.

• Ability to set and preform a treatment on all machines used in the transitional care unit. This includes being able to demonstrate peritoneal dialysis set-up.

Coordinate transition to patient’s permanent modality choice.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

The professional registered nurse Outpatient RN CAP 2 may be an entry level designation into the Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) for new employees who meet the RN CAP 2 criteria or attained through advancement from RN CAP 1. 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. This may include delegation of appropriate tasks to direct patient care staff including but not limited to RNs, LVN/LPNs, and Patient Care Technicians. 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.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

All duties and responsibilities are expected to be performed in accordance with Fresenius Kidney Care policy, procedures, standards of nursing practice, state, and federal regulations.

• Performs all essential functions under the direction of the Supervisor and with guidance from the Clinical Educator, Preceptor or in collaboration with other Registered Nurses.
• Performs ongoing, systematic collection and analysis of patient data pre – during – post hemodialysis treatment for assigned patients and documents in the patient medical record, makes adjustments or modifications to treatment plan as indicated and notifies Team Leader, Charge Nurse, Supervisor or Physician as needed.
• Assesses, collaborates, and documents patient/family’s basic learning needs to provide initial and ongoing education to patients and family.
• Directs and provides, in collaboration with direct and ancillary patient care staff, all aspects of the daily provision of safe and effective delivery of hemodialysis therapy to assigned patients.
• Administers medications as prescribed or in accordance with approved algorithm(s), and documents appropriate medical justification and effectiveness.
• Initiates or assists with emergency response measures.
• Serves as a resource, leader, coach, mentor and role model for new and incumbent employees by setting examples of appropriate behavior, work habits and attitudes towards patients, co-workers, supervisors and the company at the facility, and area level. 
• Ensures correct laboratory collection, processing and shipping procedures are performed and reschedules missed or insufficient laboratory collections.
• Identifies expected outcomes, documents, and updates the nursing assessment and plan of care for assigned patients through collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Ensures patient awareness related to transplant and treatment modality options.
• Participates in education and quality improvement projects at the facility and area level as directed by Supervisor.
• May serve as a Preceptor to new employees.
• Required to complete CAP requirements to maintain or advance.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The position provides direct patient care that regularly involves heavy lifting, moving of patients and assisting with ambulation.  Equipment aids and/or coworkers may provide assistance. 
• This position requires frequent, prolonged periods of standing and the employee must be able to bend over.
• The employee may occasionally be required to move, with assistance, machines, and equipment of up to 200 lbs., and may lift chemica