Purpose

To provide nursing care and support to the adult hemodialysis patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) or end stage renal disease (ESRD). To maintain clinical expertise within this unique population requires specialized renal therapies. To provide nursing advice and consultation to other health care team members. Utilize the nursing process to provide nursing care to facilitate the attainment and maintenance of an optimal level of health for patients and families. To collaborate with other health care team members and utilize associated resources to provide continuity in patient care and participate with healthcare team members for problem solving.

Organizational Relationships

General supervision is received from Clinical Nursing Director, Clinical Nursing Supervisor and Medical Director. Functional supervision may be exercised over assistive personnel in collaboration with the Clinical Nursing Director or Nursing Supervisor.

Staff Related

Collaborate and delegate with the Patient Care Technicians (PCT) provision of safe and effective delivery of chronic hemodialysis therapy to patients in compliance with standards outlined in the facility policy procedure manuals, as well as regulations set forth by the corporation, state, and federal agencies. Participates in staff training and orientation of new staff as assigned. Assists with medication tracking and inventory as assigned. Checks availability of adequate emergency equipment and supplies as assigned. Monitors patient care staff for appropriate techniques and adherence to MM policy and procedures.

Patient Care

Provides safe and effective comprehensive delivery of care to patients with AKI and ESRD. Completes Initial and Annual Nursing Assessment, and ongoing evaluation and documentation of patient care needs according to Michigan Dialysis Services (MDS) policies and procedures. Identifies expected outcomes, documents, and updates the nursing assessment and plan of care for assigned patients through collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team. Participate in patient care conferences with the multidisciplinary team and completes all CMS requirements. Ensures correct laboratory collection, processing and shipping procedures are performed and reschedules missed or insufficient laboratory collections.

Patient Education

Ensures educational needs of patients and families are met regarding renal disease. Provides ongoing education to patients regarding their renal disease, vascular access and dialysis therapy and other related health conditions. Ensures patient awareness related to transplant and treatment modality options. Makes referrals to Social Worker and Registered Dietitian as appropriate for individual patient education and counseling.

Infection Prevention

Ensures a clean, safe, and sanitary environment in the dialysis facility patient care area. Ensures competency in the operation of all dialysis related equipment safely and effectively. Promotes infection control, equipment, and environmental safety.

Medical Records and Documentation

Ensures all relevant data including physician orders, lab results, vital signs and treatment parameters, and patient status are documented appropriately and entered into Medical Information System.

Professionalism

Enforces policies and procedures, as well as regulations set forth by state and federal agencies and departments. Delegate appropriate duties to assistive personnel.

Professional Development/Education for Staff

Successful completion of hemodialysis training with satisfactory performance. Contributes to the professional growth of peers and other interdisciplinary team members. Maintains clinical expertise within the unique patient population which require specialized renal therapies.

Leadership

Responsible for driving the MDS culture through values and customer service standards. Develops and maintains effective professional relationships through effective and timely communication. Able to make appropriate independent nursing decisions and delegate responsibilities when necessary. Promotes outstanding quality patient care in a collaborative, cost effective manner by assessing the diverse needs of the unit and implementing change accordingly. Initiates or assists with emergency response measures. Document on the daily time sheet tardiness, when leaving early and absences.

Communication

Promote teamwork by functioning as a resource to peers, other units and various team members involved in the care of patients requiring peritoneal dialysis. Effectively interacts willingly and professionally with peers, patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members.

Expectations of the position

Actively lead and participate in care plan meetings, including anemia management
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certified
Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact with the multidisciplinary team
Flexibility in adherence to facility specific policies and protocols
Management of clinical outcomes, patient care technicians and multiple simultaneous patient treatments
Actively participate in preventing and lowering access infection(s)
Participation in hospitalizations/missed treatment rate reduction
Participation in Quality Index (QI) improvement
Ability to push, lift and move heavy equipment
Ability to lift, move and position patients

This position will be required to support all three MDS locations (Ann Arbor, Canton, and Livonia).