Registered Nurse Traveler - ACUTES

The Acute RN Registered Nurse - Traveler is responsible for overseeing nursing services each shift and functions as a nursing supervisor. This position provides daily supervision of staff on duty during operational hours. Acute programs 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.
• Demonstrate effective use of supplies and staff labor hours.
• Responsible for updating all logs and insuring that dialysis run sheets and logs are sent to billing.
• 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

• Administer medications as ordered by the physician.
• Assist physician during patient rounds and transcribe and implement physician orders timely.
• Assist with the implementation of medication protocols as requested.
• Initiate and 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 contract and protocols, applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
• May give direct patient care to the extent of performing efficient, safe dialysis according to state regulations.
• Responds to all emergencies.
• Signs off before each treatment on water quality verification.
• Supervise preparation of all equipment and supplies, likewise the clean-up following each patient shift.
• Ensures personal protective equipment is used as necessary.
• Complete pre and post treatment physical assessments.
• Complete pre and post Handoff Communication with hospital staff.
• Initiate and terminate patient treatments to include connecting and disconnecting catheters and cleaning catheter sites per protocol, if allowed by state regulations.
• Set up dialysis machines; clean, disinfect and provide quality control of dialysis machines as required by policy and procedures. Report machine problems to biomedical technician and/or Acute Manager as appropriate.
• Participate in infection control monitoring, implementation, and recording as requested.
• 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.
• Completes Charge Nurse Checklist and applicable logs.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required for the position.

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 as requested.
• Maintain continuous communication with the Bio-Med personnel to assure that needed equipment and supplies are available at all times and necessary equipment maintenance is completed.
• Observe and receive reports from staff members of the physical and emotional status of each patient.
• 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 as needed.
• Address patient concerns timely and professionally; escalate as appropriate.
• Actively promote GUEST customer service standards; develop effective relationships at all levels of the organization.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT/ RETENTION

• Assist in orientation of new staff as a preceptor or in assigning a preceptor as requested.
• Acts as resource person and participates in implementing and evaluating dialysis services and assures that policies and procedures are updated as requested.
• May assist Acute Manager in interviewing, hiring, evaluating, and disciplinary actions of center staff as needed.
• Assign/delegate tasks to competent licensed and unlicensed staff per applicable state practice act.
• Oversees, recommends and actively participates in ongoing, continuing education of staff.
• Participate in staff meetings as required. Attend in-service and continuing education offerings in compliance with company policy and procedure.
• Lead staff in team concepts and promote a team effort.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Requirements include:

• Current RN license in multiple states. All licenses must be maintained as current and in good standing. Must obtain applicable state license, based on assignment, within state specified time frames.
• 24 months experience in providing nursing care, including 12 months of acute dialysis experience is preferred.
• CPR certification required.
• Confirmation of ability to distinguish all primary colors.
• Demonstrated ability to function in a leadership position and to perform in new and emergent situations with sound judgment.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the English language and ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must have basic computer skills; proficiency in all USRC clinical applications required within 90 days of hire.
• Must meet any practice requirement(s) for the applicable state.
• Ability to meet minimum hospital/agency hiring standards which may include additional background clearances and orientation requirements if applicable to the program assigned to for employment.