Acute Dialysis Services Charge Registered Nurse - RN

Purpose and Scope

The Inpatient Services Charge Nurse is an additional “responsibility” assigned to the Inpatient Services RN for a limited period of time and for specific additional duties, as assigned by the Program Manager.

The Charge Nurse ensures appropriate provision of Acute Dialysis Services and treatments within assigned hospitals/facilities by coordinating, scheduling, and directing Acute Patient Care staff and by performing Acute treatments as needed or directed by the Program Manager. The role assumes the provision of quality patient care to all hospitalized patients in the most efficient manner in accordance with company policy and regulations set forth by the company, state and federal agencies.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Acts as a subject matter expert and resource for staff members on the assigned Inpatient Center treatment floor.
• Receives no instruction on routine daily work and escalates issues to the Program Manager as deemed necessary.
• Coordinates and schedules direct patient care staff to provide coverage of Acute Dialysis treatments and ensures efficient patient scheduling and staff utilization using the TAP scheduling tool.
• Maintains and reviews the daily TAP tool for all hospitals/facilities under supervision and submits results to the Program Manager for review.
• Ensures all Acute treatments are performed according to established policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements, and documents patient treatment information in ACES.
• Monitors ACES compliance daily.
• Performs Quality Assessment and Improvement (QAI) Program audits to ensure quality patient care and Joint Commission compliance.
• Participates in QAI meetings as requested by the Program Manager.
• Assesses daily patient care needs, communicates concerns to attending physicians, and implements changes in patient care/treatment in collaboration with prescribing physicians.
• Performs Acute treatments according to current Charge Nurse Guidance recommendations and oversees all dialysis-related medical and emergency functions.
• Communicates with physicians and other healthcare team members to interpret, adjust, triage, and complete patient care plans efficiently and safely.
• Coordinates with technical staff to ensure preventive maintenance, timely repair of disabled machines, infection control measures, routine water culturing/testing, logging of results, and transportation of equipment and supplies.
• Serves as liaison between the administrative staff of each hospital/facility and the Program Manager.
• Practices cost containment strategies in medical supply inventory and personnel management.
• Reviews and complies with the Code of Business Conduct, all company policies, local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Assists with various projects as assigned by the Program Manager.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Duties include desk and personal computer work, interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians.
• Requires travel between assigned facilities and various community locations; meeting travel may be required.
• Work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels; exposure to infectious and contagious diseases/materials may occur.
• Daily patient care involves heavy lifting, moving patients, and assisting with ambulation; assistance and equipment aids may be used for items up to 200 lbs.; lifting up to 30 lbs. up to 5 feet is required; a two‑person assist program and material assist devices are available.
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment.
• Employees are instructed to see the following information regarding the Ishihara Test for Color Blindness: failing the test does not preclude employment; the company will consider whether reasonable accommodation can be made.

Supervision

• Inpatient Services RN’s, Inpatient Services PCT’s at assigned facilities

Education

• Current appropriate state licensure.
• Current or successful completion of CPR BLS Certification.
• Must meet the practice requirements in all states employed.

Experience and Required Skills

• Minimum of 9 months nursing experience; plus 3 months of specialized experience providing clinical nursing care to dialysis patients in an Acute or Chronic setting.
• 6 months dialysis experience in an Acute setting preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies and skills, including continuous quality improvement, relationship development, results orientation, team building, motivating employees, performance management, and decision making.
• Demonstrated management skills necessary to supervise dialysis personnel and ensure delivery of maximum quality care to all patients.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), interpersonal, and customer service skills.

EEO Statement

EO/AA Employer: Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Drug‑Free Workplace

Fresenius Medical Care North America maintains a drug‑free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.