Clinical Nurse - Renal Dialysis

PLEASE BE ADVISED that this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Cook County and the National Nurses Organizing Committee. Pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement, Cook County will exhaust internal eligible applicants prior to considering external applicants. Cook County is assembling a list of qualified candidates for this position that will be considered should the position not be filled with internal eligible applicants.

The Clinical Nurse I is a professional care provider on the Dialysis Unit who is responsible and accountable for coordinating and providing safe, effective individualized nursing care for patients and supportive care to significant others, assists other professionals in implementing plans of care. Nursing care involves application of the nursing process and professional skills as appropriate to the standards of care and skills as a Hemodialysis nurse for patient care delivery.

These activities require nursing judgment based on application of scientific principles of nursing, problem solving and teaching/learning.

Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement.

• Clinically provides individualized nursing care through the use of the nursing process
• Performs a physical assessment prior to and following dialysis; particular care is given to the heart, lungs, abdomen, catheter site, general condition of the skin and the presence or absence of pitting edema
• Develops a plan of care which is based on the patient's identified problems and needs with outcomes as well as short- and long-term goals
• Reviews the plan of care to ensure compliance with the ESRD regulatory agencies
• Participates in the dialysis Multidisciplinary Team care Conference
• Provides safe and effective dialysis treatments within policy and procedural guidelines including those for Infection Control
• Obtains, reviews and implements Medical Orders for the treatment of patients according to hospital, department, and unit policy and procedures
• Recognizes and takes action in anticipated or actual life‑threatening emergencies which may arise as a consequence of dialysis
• Teaches patient and significant others facts concerning renal disease, prescribed treatments, medications and their impact on the patient's state of well‑being; documenting this teaching is required by policy and regulatory agencies
• Maintain flow of hemodialysis patients
• Checks logbooks for compliance
• Creates assignment for incoming nurses prior to arrival
• Arrives early to set‑up unit for plan of care for patients
• Notifies / follows‑up with physicians for physician orders for inpatients no later than 12 noon
• Evaluates the patient's response to dialytic and other interventions on a continuing basis, collaborating with others in the health care team to resolve and identify problems, revising the plan of care, goals and outcomes
• Reviews and evaluates the laboratory findings for the dialysis patient
• Participates in the Quality Improvement activities of the unit to ensure the quality and appropriateness of the care that is given
• Assists in the maintenance of the patient schedule, making adjustments as may be necessary after consultation with the Charge Nurse and / or Nurse Coordinator
• Assumes responsibility for clinical competency and continuing education as it relates to this specialty field
• Attends hospital sponsored programs as well as outside seminars relating to their field of practice
• Shares information learned at seminars with the rest of the staff on the unit
• Cooperates and participates in research projects for the hospital or agencies regulating ESRD Care Facilities
• Assists in the monitoring evaluation, establishment of levels, and the procurement of supplies necessary to dialyze the load of anticipated patients
• Collaborates with the Charge Nurse / Nurse Coordinator or independently as required to resolve issues which may impact patient care or the efficient operation of the unit
• Acts as a preceptor/ mentor to new employees on the unit during and following…