Charge Registered Nurse, RN

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Functions as the hemodialysis team leader in the provision of chronic hemodialysis care and treatment. Provides day to day direction and supervision to assigned direct patient care staff. Communicates with the physician and other members of the healthcare team to interpret, adjust, and complete patient care plans. Provides safe, effective delivery of patient care in compliance with standards outlined in the facility procedure manual, as well as regulations set forth by the company, state, and federal agencies.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

General and Staff Related:

• Provides day to day guidance, support and direction to direct patient care staff, providing informal feedback on an ongoing basis and formal feedback input for the annual performance evaluation. Participates in the department staffing and the appropriate hiring, firing and disciplinary actions. Recommends disciplinary action to Clinical Manager and initiate as appropriate.
• Ensures compliance with all company and facility approved procedures and policies as well as regulations set forth by state and federal agencies in clinics with more than 100 patients.
• Approves or disapproves time or personnel schedule changes in the absence on the Clinical Manager ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, policies and procedures for documenting time of work hours for staff members on assigned shift.
• Participates in patient care plan meetings.
• Maintains knowledge in the current practices related to the principles and techniques of dialysis by participating in all scheduled inservices.
• Trains and orients staff as necessary.
• Routinely observes and guides direct patient care staff for appropriate technique and adherence to facility policies and procedures.
• Promotes and assists with compliance to OSHA programs in order to maintain a safe and clean working environment.
• Maintains overall shift operation in a safe, efficient, and effective matter.
• Conducts staff meeting with Clinical Manager at least monthly or as needed to keep patient care staff informed of changes in patient care needs or operations to improve delivery of care.
• Meets routinely with the Clinical Manager to discuss personnel and patient care status, issues, and information.
• Supervise all documentation of patient information.
• Coordinates Charge Nurse duties with Staff RNs acting in the relief charge capacity.

Patient Care:

• Assesses daily patient care needs and develop and distribute patient care assignments appropriately. Assesses patient needs, respond to dialysis treatments, and communicate concerns to rounding physician. Implement changes inpatient care/treatment as directed.
• Assumes primary responsibility in an emergency situation.
• Monitors and supervises all patient care activity during dialysis and assist as necessary.
• Collaborates with direct patient care team in making decisions to benefit patient care.
• Continuously monitors patient’s condition with regards to problems and potential complications associated with dialysis.
• Administers medications to patients per physician’s orders.
• Acts as the subject matter expert and as a resource for staff members.

Technical:

• Supervises and participates in completion of short and long term care plans.
• Admits new patients according to facility procedure.
• Ensures educational needs of patients are met and educate the patient and family about End Stage Renal Disease, dialysis therapy, diet, and medication.
• Supervises the safe and effective use of all equipment involved in direct patient care.
• Operates all dialysis related and emergency equipment safely and efficiently when needed.
• Performs required testing and verification and initial the checklist for start-up and shut-down procedures as outlined in the Technical Services Manual.
• Completes Nurse’s Technical Training Program/Water Quality Facility Training.

Other:

• Assists with special projects or other duties as assigned by the Clinical Manager and the interviewing of potential direct patient care staff as requested.
• Promotes efficient use of medical supplies.
• Attends and participates in monthly Quality Assurance meetings.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff and physicians.
• The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Travel to regional, Business Unit and Corporate meetings may be required.
• Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Note that: Failing the

Ishihara Test for Color Blindness does not preclude employment. The Company will consider whether reasonable accommodation can be made.

SUPERVISION:

• Direct Patient Care Staff, Ward Clerk as assigned.

EDUCATION AND REQUIRED CREDENTIALS:

• Bachelor’s Degree; Advanced Degree of an accredited school of Nursing (R.N.) desirable or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Current appropriate state licensure.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:        

• Minimum of 9 months of nursing experience and an additional 3 months of clinical experience in dialysis
• RN charge nurses assuming responsibility for nursing and patient services in the absence of the Clinical Manager must have one-year clinical experience and six months dialysis experience.
• Supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Successfully complete a training course in the theory and practice of hemodialysis.
• Good communication skills – verbal and written.
• Must meet appropriate state requirements (if any).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I acknowledge that I have read and accepted this job description.  I understand what is expected of me in this position, and I am able to perform the essential functions as outlined with or without reasonable accommodation.  Furthermore, I understand that the duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.  If I have any questions about duties and responsibilities not specified in this job description that I am asked to perform, I should discuss them with my immediate supervisor or my Human Resources representative.