RN - CMH Acute Dialysis

Functions as a clinician, educator and resource for patients within dialysis with a focus on home hemodialysis, home peritoneal dialysis and acute dialysis. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, contributes professional nursing knowledge and skills in the provision and management of care to patients through the application of the nursing process.

CLINICAL EXCELLENCE FOCUS: Promotes the use of evidence-based practice through the nursing process, protocols and procedures.

• Functions as a clinician, educator and resource for patients within their specialty of care and assist physicians with office procedures with the focus being on Outpatient Dialysis:
  Home Hemodialysis and Home Peritoneal Dialysis and available for coverage of acute dialysis services.
• Develops and becomes expert on Home Hemodialysis and CAPD Education and program organization.
• Assesses patient's status through interview, observation and physical assessment of actual problems and outcome.
• Develops an individualized plan of care using a collaborative approach with the patient/family and health care team.
• Responsible for the development and ongoing coordination of care for patients.
• Acts as a consultant both within the institution and to outside agencies or groups on issues related to dialysis.
• Consults with individuals, families, community agencies or colleagues from associated disciplines or with nursing.
• Uses appropriate interventions identified in the plan of care to achieve expected patient outcomes.
• Systematically evaluates and documents patient's progress toward expected outcomes/goals on an ongoing basis throughout the shift.
• Modifies plan of care based on evaluation.
• Demonstrates professional accountability for own practice as evidenced through seeking resources and continuing self-development.
• Demonstrates technical knowledge of equipment and troubleshoots when problems arise.
• Shares clinical knowledge through informal teaching and in response to the learning needs of others.
• Demonstrates a practical problem-solving approach to patient moving and handling issues (as applicable).
• Possesses knowledge and skills necessary to obtain adequate lab specimens for testing.
• Performs patient bedside lab testing and associated quality control in compliance with medical provider’s orders and hospital lab procedures/policies.
• Completes documentation of service expectations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE FOCUS: Coordinates the interdisciplinary care of the patient through collaboration with team members and utilizes additional resources when necessary.

• Analyzes clinical situations in a systematic way and acts to obtain resources or correct problems to meet or exceed expected outcomes or patient needs.
• Demonstrates ownership and persistence to ensure problem is resolved in best way possible.
• Consistently prioritizes work based on changes in patient condition, changes in assignment and unanticipated interruptions.
• Identifies and utilizes team resources to solve identified problems or needs.
• Collaborates with the health care team in the organization of tasks and activities for the patient's care from admission to discharge according to the plan of care and to meet identified expected outcomes.
• Advocates with physicians on patient's behalf when necessary.
• Chooses an appropriate and meaningful communication style when interacting with others: gives and accepts constructive feedback to/from peers.
• Assists with budget and addresses supplies and equipment management.

PATIENT EDUCATION FOCUS: Assesses and chooses teaching strategies appropriate to the patient's/family's age specific needs.

• Adapts teaching strategies based on patient's response, readiness to learn and level of comprehension.
• Educates, observes and documents on patient’s competency skills.
• Takes cultural, age-specific, gender, and developmental factors into consideration when teaching patients about procedures, illness, hospital experience, etc.
• Ensures patient safety by following policy/procedures and adhering to National Patient Safety Goals.
• Demonstrates a practical problem-solving approach to patient moving and handling issues (as applicable).
• Consults appropriate resources within the hospital to provide specialized education.

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT FOCUS: Actively participates in data collection, analysis, problem solving and gives input on process improvements and patient satisfaction.

• Assures that the care provided is consistent with standards of care, evidence-based practices, national patient safety goals, core measures and other quality initiatives undertaken by the unit/hospital.
• Works with interdisciplinary team in identifying opportunities for improvement in patient care and patient/family satisfaction.
• Actively promotes and achieves customer satisfaction (patient, family, departments, physicians).
• Develops and oversees the implementation of Performance Improvement initiatives and maintenance of department policies and procedures.
• Promptly and efficiently follows up on patient/family…