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 missed treatments.

• Ensure patient and treatment charge information and other related data are accurate and submitted to the appropriate corporate personnel in a timely manner.

• 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 of the acute program and hospital.

OUTCOMES

• Complete and document monthly review of patient medication profiles. Administer medications as ordered by the physician.

• May assist physician during patient rounds and transcribe and implement physician orders timely.

• Assist with the implementation of anemia management and medication protocols as requested.

• Provide patient education and follow up as needed.

• Assist with program's target goals 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.

• May sign off before each treatment on water quality verification in absence of charge nurse.

• 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 per protocol.

• 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.

• Demonstrates effective staffing, as appropriate with staffing ratios per state regulations and effective patient care, under the direction of the Acute Manager.

• 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 JCAHO, CMS, DPH and OSHA surveys as required.

• Ensure nursing care is carried out as directed and treatment is administered in accordance with physician instructions.

• Ensure appropriate and required information is documented in patient records.

• Inform Acute Manager or Administrator 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 resolve minor problems independently.

• Notify Bio-Medical Technician regarding machine or water treatment malfunctions and provide appropriate documentation.

PARTNERSHIPS

• Communicate results of patient assessment, reassessment, and ongoing monitoring to the physician, team members, and others as appropriate to the individual needs of the patient.

• Maintain collaborative working relationship with physicians, nurse practitioners, and other hospital healthcare professionals.

• Participate as a member of the Interdisciplinary team in all required patient assessment and care planning activities.

• Actively promote GUEST customer service standards; develop effective relationships at all levels of the organization.

• Assure proper coordination of care between hospitals and outpatient dialysis facilities as applicable.

• Maintain communication and continuity of planned care when a patient is transferred to other company facilities.

• Address patient concerns timely and professionally; escalate as appropriate.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT/ RETENTION

• Participate in staff meetings as required. Attend in-service and continuing education offerings in compliance with company policy and procedure.

• 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.