Acute Inpatient Charge Registered Nurse - RN - Dialysis

Purpose and Scope

The Inpatient Services Charge Nurse is an additional responsibility assigned to the Inpatient Services RN for a limited period and for specific additional duties, as assigned by the Program Manager. The role ensures appropriate provision of Acute Dialysis Services and treatments within assigned hospitals/facilities by coordinating, scheduling, and directing Acute Patient Care staff and by performing Acute treatments as needed or directed by the Program Manager.

The Charge Nurse assumes the provision of quality patient care to all hospitalized patients in the most efficient manner in accordance with company policy and regulations set forth by state and federal agencies.

• Acts as a subject matter expert and resource for staff members on the assigned Inpatient Center treatment floor.
• Receives no instruction on routine daily work and general instructions on newly introduced assignments, but may elevate issues to the Program Manager for resolution as deemed necessary.
• Coordinate and schedule direct patient care staff to provide coverage of Acute Dialysis treatments in contracted hospitals/facilities and ensure efficient patient scheduling and staff utilization in accordance with the TAP scheduling tool.
• Maintain and review the daily TAP tool for all hospitals/facilities under direct supervision and submit results to the Program Manager for review.
• Ensure all Acute treatments are performed in contracted hospitals/facilities according to established policies and procedures and in compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ensure accurate documentation of patient treatment information is entered into ACES during the time of treatment and monitor ACES compliance on a daily basis.
• Perform Quality Assessment and Improvement (QAI) program audits as directed to ensure the provision of quality patient care and compliance with all Joint Commission requirements.
• Participate in QAI meetings as requested by the Program Manager to assure proper reporting of QAI activities.
• Assess daily patient care needs and communicate concerns to the attending physician; implement changes in patient care/treatment as directed and in collaboration with prescribing physicians.
• Perform Acute treatments according to current Charge Nurse Guidance recommendations and oversee all dialysis‑related medical and emergency functions.
• Communicate with the physician and other members of the healthcare team to interpret, adjust, triage, and complete patient care plans in an efficient and safe manner.
• Coordinate with technical staff to ensure preventative maintenance of routine machine maintenance, timely repair of disabled machines, infection control measures, routine water culturing, water testing, logging of results, and transportation of equipment and supplies.
• Serve as liaison between the administrative staff of each hospital/facility and the Program Manager.
• Practice cost containment strategies in all areas including medical supply inventory and personnel.
• Review and comply with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies and procedures, and local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Assist with various projects as assigned by the Program Manager.
• Other duties as assigned.

The position requires desk and computer work, interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians, and travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air‑temperature control and moderate noise levels. The position may involve exposure to infectious and contagious diseases/materials. Direct patient care involves heavy lifting, moving of patients, and assisting with ambulation.

Frequent, prolonged periods of standing are required and the employee must be able to bend over. The employee may occasionally be required to move equipment or items up to 200 lbs. with a two‑person assist program. The employee must pass an Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment, although failure will not preclude employment if reasonable accommodation can be made.

• Current appropriate state licensure.
• Current or successful completion of CPR, BLS certification.
• Meet practice requirements in all states employed.

• Minimum of 9 months nursing experience; plus 3 months specialized experience providing clinical nursing care to dialysis patients in an acute or chronic setting.
• Six months dialysis experience in an acute setting preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies and skills, including continuous quality improvement, relationship development, results orientation, team building, motivating employees, performance management, and decision making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.

EEO, disability/veterans.