Staff Nurse

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

CUSTOMER SERVICE
1. Ensures the provision of outstanding customer service to all external and internal customers including patients and staff;
2. Develops and maintains positive relationships through effective and timely communication with all customers;
3. Addresses patient-related issues in a timely manner;
4. Assess daily patient care needs and develops appropriate patient care assignments;
5. Assists the Unit Head or Team Leader in attending to the unique needs of patients, in ways that make them develop a feeling of importance and belongin-ness;

6. Assists in recording data in the NephroWeb to ensure that all pertinent clinical and patient information are kept updated;

CLINICAL CARE:

1. Responsible for accurate implementation of treatment prescription including Sodium (Na)modeling prescription, and Ultrafiltration modeling (where appropriate) to ensure stable treatment therapy;
2. Assesses patient’s responses to their treatment therapy, and makes appropriate adjustments and modifications to the treatment plan as indicated by the prescribing physician;
3. Identifies and communicates patient-related issues and concerns to the Unit Head or Team Leader;
4. Initiates initial and annual nursing assessments and maintains an ongoing evaluation and documentation of patient care needs;
5. Actively participates in the pre-evaluation, initiation, termination, access homeostasis, and post evaluation of patients receiving dialysis treatment therapy;
6. Takes appropriate intervention for changes in patient adequacy status and troubleshooting access flow issues as identified;
7. Implements, administers, monitors, and documents patient’s response to prescribed interdialytic transfusions, including timely notification of adverse reactions to the physician and/or appropriate blood suppliers;
8. Collaborates with stakeholders on Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) presentations;
9. Reviews printed request of lab orders to ensure accuracy of lab requisitions transacted in the SAP system;
10. Ensures correct labs tubes are utilized for prescribed lab specimens and that lab draw and processing procedures are performed appropriately for all lab samples;
11. Identifies and ensures appropriate follow-through of missed labs and insufficient specimens according to company policies and procedures;
12. Ensures all specimens are appropriately packaged according to policies and procedures
relating to shipment of blood or body fluid specimens and potentially hazardous material;
13. Ensures timely delivery of lab results to concerned personnel and reports abnormal lab results to Unit Head or Team Leader

TECHNICAL
1. Ensures all relevant data including physician’s orders, lab results, vital signs, treatment
parameters and patient treatment data are documented and stored appropriately;
2. Reviews and ensures appropriate daily completion of Hemodialysis Treatment Sheets;
ensures patient medical records are complete with appropriate information, documentation and identification;
3. Initiates, documents, and completes ongoing CQI activities including monthly reports;
4. Reviews transplant status and follows corresponding established procedures;
5. Assists in establishing patient care plans for new patients and generating various reports
related to patients and treatments;
6. Reports malfunctioning equipment or apparatus to Unit Head or Team Leader to ensure that all items required for dialysis treatment are in good working condition prior to actual treatment;
7. Assists in taking inventory of consumable and non-consumable items during assigned shift and prepares required reports as needed;
8. Ensures provision of appropriate vaccinations, immunizations, and annual Tuberculosis (TB) testing;
9. Administers medications as prescribed or in accordance with approved algorithm(s) and documents appropriate medical justification if indicated\

ADMINISTRATIVE
1. Engages in regular discussions with the Unit Head or Team Leader with regard to personnel and patient care status as well as other related matters;
2. Collaborates and communicates with physicians, other members of the healthcare team, Technicians, Utility staff, Cashiers and co-Nurses to interpret, adjust, and coordinate appropriate and excellent patient care;
3. Verifies availability of adequate emergency equipment;
4. Assists with the coordination of patient transportation if necessary;
5. Ensures a clean, safe and sanitary environment in the dialysis facility treatment area;
6. Develops and enhances competency in the operation of all dialysis-related equipment;
7. Ensures all patient stations, including machines and chairs, are clean and free of blood spills and other foreign matter