Graduate Nurse, Home Therapies (Finance)
SUMMARY
The Graduate Nurse, Home Therapies, as qualified by federal and state regulations, provides support for the home program and all patients choosing a home dialysis modality. This position is accountable for providing quality care to all patients and is committed to delivering superior customer service in all internal and external interactions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties and tasks may be assigned.
GROWTH
• Participate in and support corporate initiatives that promote improved care and increase growth of the home department.
• Understand vendor product delivery methods and associated fees. Teach patients the importance of proper and timely order placement. Ensure patients receive all supplies in timely manner to not disrupt care.
• Ensure clinic and patient supply inventory and usage is appropriate for patient prescriptions and place orders in timely manner to avoid fees and penalties.
• Oversee equipment management including equipment tracking and retrieval.
• Perform duties as assigned to meet the patient care or operational needs of the program.
OUTCOMES
• Continually seek to improve patient and quality outcomes through tracking and trending of program and patient performance, use of critical thinking skills and root cause analysis to improve patient and quality outcomes. Assist in obtaining data for the continuous quality improvement activities.
• Obtain routine and non-routine laboratory tests as ordered and communicate critical lab values and urgent patient needs to the responsible physician or physician extender in a timely manner.
• Complete and document monthly review of patient medication profiles. Administer medications as ordered by the physician.
• Reinforce concepts of home dialysis previously taught by a qualified nurse and provide general education relevant to patient well-being.
• Assist with program's target goals for patient outcomes in accordance with quality patient care and Company goals.
OPERATIONAL READINESS
• Knowledge of and comply with federal, state, local laws and regulations, including health care professionals practice act requirements as they pertain to home dialysis program and patient care requirements.
• Perform duties at all times within limitations established by and in accordance with company policy and procedures, applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
• Conduct home visits to assess the patient's home environment per policy; initially and minimally annually thereafter. Routinely evaluate patient performance and assess the home environment more frequently as needed to improve care.
• Document all nursing services in the Electronic Medical Record including but not limited to, routine and non- routine in-person interactions, and phone conversations. Documentation should accurately reflect the patient status and nursing interventions and be written to ensure continuity of care.
• Develop and implement the patient plan of care with the interdisciplinary team.
• Participate in infection control monitoring, implementation, and recording as requested.
• Use personal protective equipment as necessary.
• Be familiar with emergency equipment and all emergency operational procedures. Communicate and regularly review Emergency Preparedness procedures with all home patients, including but not limited to emergency disconnection from dialysis equipment, what to do and who to contact if displaced from home.
OPERATIONAL READINESS
(cont.)
• Communicate on-call system to patients and ensure patients have access to nursing support at all times. Teach patients the importance of timely communication.
• Flexible with staffing locations and hours to accommodate patient and USRC home program needs.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required for the position.
Home Hemodialysis Only:
• Coordinate home evaluation with technical services department to ensure that the necessary electrical, plumbing and drainage requirements for proper equipment operation are met prior to patient acceptance into home program.
• Ensure required and appropriate water sampling is complete per policy and product requirements. Monitor and report water sample and culture results.
PARTNERSHIPS
• Communicate results of patient assessment, reassessment, and ongoing monitoring to the physician, team members, and others as appropriate to the individual needs of the patient.
• Maintain a positive/collaborative working relationship with physicians, state agencies and the community.
• Actively promote GUEST customer service standards; develop effective relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Respond effectively to inquiries or concerns.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT/ RETENTION
• Participate in staff meetings as required. Attend in-service and continuing education offerings in compliance with company policy and procedure.
• May delegate tasks to competent licensed and unlicensed staff per applicable state practice act.
• Assist with staff training as requested.
• Lead staff in team concepts and promote a team effort.
