Registered Nurse RN - Dialysis

Wage Range: $46.78 - $79.58

PER-DIEM

Dialysis Center

Definition of Position: 

The Acute Inpatient Dialysis Registered Nurse provides direct and indirect nursing care to patients requiring hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and/or continuous renal replacement therapies within the hospital setting. This position is responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of dialysis care for acutely ill patients in accordance with physician orders, hospital policies, CMS Conditions for Coverage, AAMI standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.

The Acute Dialysis RN functions independently while collaborating closely with nephrologists, hospitalists, intensivists, nursing staff, pharmacy, laboratory, and ancillary departments to ensure safe, timely, and high-quality patient care. The nurse must be able to respond quickly and appropriately to changes in patient condition and treatment needs in a fast-paced critical access hospital environment.

This role includes patient assessment, dialysis treatment administration and monitoring, patient and staff education, emergency response, documentation, quality improvement participation, infection prevention practices, and equipment/water safety monitoring.

Participates in performance improvement activities and supports the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

Essential Job Functions:

• Performs comprehensive nursing assessments for patients requiring dialysis therapies.
• Initiates, monitors, and discontinues hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, ultrafiltration, and/or continuous renal replacement therapies as ordered.
• Assesses patients’ responses to treatment therapy and communicates concerns or needed treatment modifications to the nephrologist and interdisciplinary team.
• Monitors patients during dialysis treatments and responds appropriately to complications, emergencies, or changes in patient condition.
• Administers medications, blood products, and intravenous therapies in accordance with physician orders and hospital policy.
• Implements, monitors, and documents patient response to intradialytic transfusions and appropriately reports adverse reactions.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation within the electronic medical record.
• Ensures dialysis equipment is functioning appropriately prior to treatment initiation.
• Performs and documents required dialysis machine alarm testing, safety checks, dialysate testing, chlorine/chloramine testing, and water quality monitoring in accordance with policy and regulatory standards.
• Operates dialysis equipment safely and performs basic troubleshooting when appropriate.
• Cleans and disinfects dialysis machines, equipment, chairs, and surrounding treatment areas according to infection prevention standards.
• Participates in infection prevention and control practices specific to dialysis services.
• Collaborates with nephrologists, ICU staff, hospitalists, nursing staff, pharmacy, and interdisciplinary team members regarding patient care planning.
• Educates patients, families, and staff regarding dialysis treatments, access care, medications, and disease processes.
• Provides direction, education, and support to hospital staff as appropriate.
• Participates in quality improvement, competency validation, emergency preparedness, and survey readiness activities.
• Reports unusual incidents, patient concerns, adverse events, and equipment issues according to hospital policy.
• Assists with maintaining dialysis supplies, equipment, and treatment areas.
• Responds to dialysis-related emergencies and codes as appropriate.
• Participates in on-call coverage, weekends, holidays, and after-hours emergency dialysis response as assigned.
• The employee supports the hospital mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in required education for DNV programs as applicable to position (reference program education curriculum).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Personal Traits, Qualities, and Aptitudes:

Must be able to: 1) Perform a variety of duties often changing from one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure. 2) Work independently while maintaining strong communication and collaboration with interdisciplinary team members. 3) Make clinical evaluations and decisions based on measurable or observable criteria. 4) Maintain strict patient confidentiality and professional boundaries. 5) Respond appropriately during emergencies and rapidly changing patient situations. 6) Demonstrate empathy and compassion toward patients and families experiencing acute illness, chronic disease, grief, or trauma. 7) Communicate effectively and therapeutically with patients, families, physicians, and healthcare team members from diverse backgrounds. 8) Prioritize and manage multiple patient care responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. 9) Maintain strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. 10) Support teamwork, professionalism, and positive interaction in daily activities.

Qualifications:

Education

Required: Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing. Evidence of continuing education appropriate for skill level and area of practice.

Preferred: Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN)                                                                           

Licenses/ certifications/ registrations

Required: Current RN license in the State of Oregon; BLS

Preferred: NA

Experience

Required: At least one year of acute care nursing experience

                Preferred: Previous Dialysis Experience.

Other:

• Ability to provide care for the patient's age-specific, cultural, physical, and psychosocial well-being.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, and other health care team members.
• Ability to work with others within a team to ensure quality patient care.
• Strong critical thinking skills.

Physical Requirements:

The physical and sensory functions described below are essential to the successful performance of this position. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. The position requires sufficient auditory ability to detect and respond to various sounds, including patient alarms and verbal communication. Clear and effective communication is essential, as is the ability to interact with patients, families, and healthcare team members. Visual acuity is necessary for observing patient conditions, reading documentation and monitors, and distinguishing colors for clinical purposes, such as identifying medications or safety indicators. Tactile perception is also important for assessing physical characteristics such as temperature, size, shape, or texture during patient care. Motor coordination is required for reaching, grasping, handling, and performing fine motor tasks necessary for the use of medical equipment and procedures. The position also involves occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling when assisting patients or accessing equipment. Walking and standing are typically continuous throughout the shift. The role requires the ability to lift to 50 pounds independently and involves frequent pushing, pulling, carrying, or repositioning of objects or patients weighing up to 25 pounds. There may also be occasional lifting or transferring of individuals weighing over 100 pounds, with the expectation that appropriate lifting techniques, mechanical aids, or team assistance will be used to ensure safety. May to sit for long periods of time.

Working Conditions:

This position is performed primarily in an indoor healthcare environment, such as a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility. While the work setting is protected from outdoor weather conditions, it may be subject to variable indoor temperatures. The role involves frequent exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, hazardous materials, and medical equipment, with the expectation that all staff follow appropriate safety protocols and utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

The health care environment can be fast-paced and unpredictable, requiring the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances, including high-pressure or emergency situations. The work setting also involves multiple simultaneous demands and varying levels of noise due to medical equipment, staff activity, and patient needs.