SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Peritoneal Dialysis Registered Nurse is responsible for providing education, training, support, and monitoring renal health for the home dialysis patient assuring safe and appropriate care.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Adheres to organizational and departmental policies and procedures. 
• Serves as an effective representative of PCD to employees, visitors, and patients in a courteous, respectful, and empathic manner. 
• Demonstrates a cooperative attitude in relationships with co-workers and other PCD personnel. 
• Performs according to the quality assurance and quantity expectations as defined by PCD and the department. 
• Participates in maintaining a safe/secure environment for visitors, co-workers, and self. 
• Respects individual’s rights to privacy and maintains confidentiality in matters relating to patients, personnel, and PCD operations. 
• Uses all facilities, supplies, and equipment pertaining to PCD with due care and cost-effectively. 
• Demonstrates awareness of fire and safety policies. 
• Adheres to infection control and body substance isolation policies.
• Attends staff development programs to augment skills and promote professional personal growth. 
• Reports to work in a timely manner as per office hours of operation and established individual work schedules. 
• Maintains and demonstrates a professional attitude and demeanor as a representative of PCD in all interactions with co-workers, patients, referral sources and other clientele of the companies. 
• Employee contributes to the fulfillment of PCD’s mission of corporate compliance by demonstrating consistent adherence to the Standards (Codes) of Conduct and Compliance Plan policies and procedures. 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Candidate Selection: 

• Evaluates potential peritoneal dialysis candidates. 
• Counsels pre-dialysis patients in the choices of treatment modalities. 
• Works closely with nephrologists and social worker in evaluating patient for program. 
• Evaluates the home environment to see if it meets treatment specifications. 

Patient Care: 

• Develops and maintains nursing care plans, maintains patient charts. 
• Orients and prepares patients to assume primary responsibility for own health maintenance on the peritoneal dialysis program. 
• Trains the patient and any other family member in the peritoneal techniques. If a nursing home resident, trains the appropriate staff in the peritoneal techniques. 
• Provides written resources pertaining to peritoneal dialysis. 
• Monitors and orders the peritoneal supplies and assures prompt delivery to the patient. 
• Coordinates care and notifies nephrologists when patient is hospitalized. 
• Performs tubing changes for CAPD/CCPD patients. 
• Provides emergency care if needed. 
• Provides written resources pertaining to peritoneal dialysis to include but not limited to machine provider, nephrologists; emergency numbers for PD nurse to be reached; number of hospital of choice. 
• Makes monthly visits to the home for surveillance of performance and adaptation. 
• Evaluates patients monthly in clinic for lab draw, blood pressure, weight adequacy, and ongoing patient education. 

Communications and Patient Service Skills: 

• Practices according to company policies and procedures, protocols, state and federal regulations for peritoneal patients. 
• Ensures the transcription of all physicians’ orders is placed in the patient chart. 
• Ensures documentation of all laboratory requisitions and results in a legible and timely manner. 
• Attends monthly meetings with patient’s physician to review and revise any orders. 
• Contacts patients’ physician if any changes in patients’ health or mental status. 
• Works with other staff members to schedule on-call duty, ensuring patient care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Financial Management / Quality Assurance: 

• Completes charting in a timely manner, assuring all charges are entered properly. 
• Advises billing/accounting department of any changes in patient’s insurance. 

Other: 

• Overtime hours may be required, with little or no notice. 
• Ability to lift objects weighing up to 35 lbs. 
• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current RN license in the state of practice
• One year of experience in dialysis
• Training/teaching experience in the education of patient, family or staff
• Outstanding oral and written communications skills
• Current CPR certification