Registered Nurse (RN) - Nephrology

Overview

Performs direct patient care requiring specialized nursing skills; oversees the performance of other patient care activities.

Qualifications

Must be a graduate from an approved program in professional nursing with current licensure in the State of Illinois.  Previous office experience is desired.

Responsibilities

• Collects and documents data regarding physical, psychological, and educational needs of patients of all ages.

• Differentiates among emergent, urgent, and non-urgent patients.
• Evaluates patient telephone calls; follows up with instructions and documentation.
• Seeks supervisor and physician advice as needed.

 

• Establishes priorities in clinic setting and collaborates with Provider regarding plan of care.
• Delegates care to other members of the healthcare team.
• Offers input the plan of care; educates patient in plan of care.

• Screens telephone calls from patients and evaluates for referral. Coordinates and communicates plan of care with the patient and/or the family.
• Conducts pre-authorization for medication and ordered tests and completes appropriate forms. Schedules specialized procedures at the hospital; monitors need for follow-up.
• Arranges outside laboratory tests. Assists physicians by preparing patients and setting up equipment.

• Shares with nursing staff daily scheduling of patients with acute and/or urgent problems.
• Performs as a team nurse with providers and other staff.
• Reports ideas, concerns, and problems to Manager/Coordinator.
• Scanning and accurate indexing of records from outside sources in the patient electronic health record for provider signature.
• Reviews patient’s medical records from previous physician to incorporate pertinent information into patients completed chart.

 

• Provides and documents care within the standards of practice, policies and procedures.

• Administers and records immunizations, allergy shots and other parental injections; performs related duties.
• Performs or assists in specimen collection of waived lab tests; performs related follow up.
• Performs various screening tests; sets up equipment and assists with various procedures; assists in emergency situations with appropriate emergency supplies and procedures.
• Manages acute and/or episodic minor illnesses of patients by following doctor’s orders and documents treatment.
• Inserts and maintains continuous IV infusions; monitors progress (if applicable).

• Monitors the patient’s response to care; documents variances and revises plan of care to achieve desired outcomes.

• Involves patient’s family and multidisciplinary team; utilizes teaching skills.
• Makes phone calls to patient’s family to follow up and to communicate test results.
• Sets up referrals based on outcomes and doctor’s orders.
• Administers documents and evaluates medications.
• Explains procedures and answers questions from patients and their families; provides verbal, written and audiovisual materials; diet consultation; advice on wellness, exercise, preventative care and safety. Assesses patient’s ability to accept and understand instructions; maintains and orders educational materials.

• Demonstrates department specific competencies, including age specific competencies for all ages.

• Arranges for medication refills.
• Shares knowledge, nursing skills, experience, and patient education advice with physicians.

• Supports and maintains joint commission standard. 

• Attends nursing in-service and continuing education programs.

• Assumes personal responsibility for quality patient care, environment of care, and professional development.

• Assists in coordinating and implementing policies in compliance with all regulatory standards.
• Reports ideas and concerns to supervisor concerning improved patient care, customer service and efficient clinical operations.
• Maintains clean, well-equipped exam room, and assists in inventory control.
• Attends meetings, in-services and continuing education classes; suggests topics and/or conducts nursing in-services.
• Assists with maintenance of patient medical records.

• Documents vitals, history, meds, procedures and instructions according to DMH policies and unit standards. 
• Demonstrates care and knowledge in medication administration.
• Arranges for medication and medication refills.