Employee Type: PRN Work Shift: Day - 12 hour shift (United States of America) **Join Team Tidelands and help people live better lives through better health!** **Position Summary** : The dialysis nurse maintains accountability for the coordination and delivery of care to patients with acute or chronic renal failure and may delegate tasks, as appropriate per the scope of practice, to the dialysis technician. By utilizing current Evidence Based Practices in all aspects of the provision of dialysis care, the dialysis nurse assures the delivery of highly reliable care for their patients while maintaining a safe and supportive environment. The dialysis nurse will have the opportunity to participate in shared governance councils and the nursing clinical ladder program. This position is required to work in all Tidelands Health inpatient facilities and required to travel from one destination to another using personal transportation. **Essential Functions:** + Oversee the preparation of the delivery system, dialysate bath, and dialyzer and confirm that all mandatory alarm tests on the dialyzer and equipment are performed. + Conducts pre-dialysis patient assessment including obtaining patient vital signs and assessing the patient' s vascular access, laboratory findings, and the patient' s general health. Reviews physician orders for dialysis patients, collects pre-treatment dialysis data, and reviews patient records prior to dialysis. + Document findings of patient assessments and interventions and advises providers of any significant change in the patient's condition and other pertinent information. + Perform other treatments and diagnostic tests such as blood sugar testing and other tests required as part of patient treatment. + Provide leadership in improving patient care, maintaining standards of care, directing and teaching personnel in a variety of settings, and providing charge nurse responsibilities as needed. Oversees dialysis technicians in the performance of dialysis from start to finish, monitors patient reaction to treatment and performance of the dialysis machines and demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the mechanics of dialysis. Oversees disassembly and disinfection of dialysis equipment. + Assess, prepare, and cannulate a patient' s vascular access (including needle insertion in arteriovenous fistula or grafts for aseptic connection with dialysis equipment). Utilizes sterile techniques to assess the dialysis catheter exit site and to apply dressing on the patient' s vascular access (dialysis catheter, arteriovenous access) per protocols. + Review patient' s electronic/paper records for orders as appropriate and administers dialysis-related intra-venous and/or oral medications as prescribed and/or per protocol. Verifies that patients are taking all prescribed medications and perform medication reconciliation. + Conduct post dialysis assessment and patient discharge by evaluating treatment, documenting medication administration utilizing the appropriate protocols, assessing condition of vascular access, discharging the patient when vital signs are stable, and documenting and recording patient treatment data. + Perform surveillance and testing of dialysis water treatment equipment and dialysis water (such as chlorine, hardness, conductivity, water cultures) to ensure that these machines are operating within the parameters set in the facility's written protocols. + Provide patient education/teaching applicable to the patient' s medical condition. **Other Functions:** + Discuss patient concerns and answers questions relevant to care. + Maintain skills necessary to perform surveillance on dialysis access (catheter, fistula, graft) for early signs of failure or infection; this includes (if needed and after receiving the appropriate training) the ability to perform arteriovenous access monitoring using ultrasound machine per protocol. Maintains skills necessary to do regional heparinization, separate and store blood samples, set up oxygen, administer saline, and maintain dialysis equipment. + Refer patient to other disciplines or services as needed (nutrition, social work, etc). + Demonstrate a working knowledge of dialysis laboratory tests and dialysis medications. + Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of infection control and prevention of transmission of blood borne pathogens. + Participate in quality improvement activities to include collection of data for the dialysis unit Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) plan. + Respond appropriately and aids in emergency situations. + Work closely with others on the dialysis team and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings. + Maintain responsibility for providing coverage to the dialysis department. **QUALIFICATIONS** **Education:** + **ADN** required + **BSN** preferred. **Experience** **:** + Minimum of one year of dialysis nursing care required, inpatient dialysis experience preferred. **Licensure/Certification:** + **Registered Nurse licensure** in good standing with the South Carolina LLR required + **Certified Dialysis Nurse** by National Nephrology Certification Commission or other nationally recognized clinical certification in dialysis care preferred. + **Basic Life Support (BLS) certification** required + **ACLS** required. **Knowledge/Skills/Abilities** **:** + Proficiency in Microsoft applications required. + Strong organizational, communication and multitasking skills required. + The ability to complete work in a timely and efficient manner and ensures work is accurate, required. + Demonstrate professionalism and ability to deliver on personal and organizational commitments, required. + Effectively respond to changing circumstances and priorities required. + Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal direction, required. + Knowledge of Tablo dialysis systems preferred. + Knowledge of EPIC EMRs preferred. + Ability to work in an enclosed office area, required. + Manual dexterity required for handling reports, charts, instruments, and equipment. + Verbal and written communication and the ability to effectively communicate is essential to the position to communicate with staff, patients, and their families. + Near visual acuity required to work with charts and records and observe patients and staff. **Physical Requirements** **: Medium Physical Agility Test (PAT) Rating** While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently (activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) required to stand, sit, and walk; occasionally (activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) to use hands, fingers; and frequently to talk or hear. The employee must exert 20 to 35 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 15 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Are you passionate about quality and committed to excellence? Consider joining our Tidelands Health team. As our region's largest health care provider, we are also one of our area's largest employers. More than 2,500 team members at more than 70 Tidelands Health locations bring our healing mission to life each day. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a contract for employment nor a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Tidelands Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Tidelands Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Tidelands Health does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender, genetic information, familial status, or any other legally protected status.