Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Coordinates the clinical activities related to direct patient care in a cost-effective manner at the dialysis unit.

Qualifications

Current licensure to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Utah; three years RN experience or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); and six months experience in dialysis required in order to fill requirements for nursing federal guidelines for dialysis facilities. Experience should include a comprehensive knowledge of nursing procedures and techniques, as well as a background in medical complications. Must be able to determine, direct and provide patient care. Supervisory/management experience preferred. A commitment to provide excellent customer service required.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated vaccination requirements, or be approved for an exemption, prior to the first day of work. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Manages and coordinates nursing care, including providing patient care as far as dialysis therapy.
2. Oversees the care of patients treated in the facility to ensure physician's orders are interpreted and properly executed by clinical personnel.
3. Supervises medical records in terms of documentation and overall compliance with facility procedures.
4. Makes routine patient rounds to assess quality of care rendered and make appropriate referrals to other specialties such as physicians, social workers or dieticians.
5. Supervises the completion of nursing care assessment for initial and ongoing care of dialysis patients.
6. Supervises the completion of nursing assessment documents and patient care plans according to facility policy and state and federal regulations.
7. Presents regular inservice programs for clinical staff and participates in other continuing education programs.
8. Ensures the transfer of information for transient and regular patients.
9. May participate in performance appraisals for clinical staff and make recommendations regarding plans of correction.
10. May act as the Facility Manager in his/her absence and make recommendations for patient and staff scheduling.
11. May monitor the patient care environment and equipment/supplies to ensure environmental and safety standards are maintained.
12. May function as a liaison between patients, family members, physicians, and nursing staff.

Problem Solving

The incumbent works independently in the performance of most responsibilities and has authority to train and make work assignments. The incumbent makes decisions regarding patient care treatment procedures and appropriate medical actions within the guidelines of facility policy and state and federal regulations. Decisions regarding continuing education programs, staff performance appraisals, resolving performance problems, patient and staff scheduling, and activities centered around monitoring the patient care environment are all made in cooperation with or under the supervision of the Facility Manager.

The primary area for problem solving for this position relates to management of the patients' clinical care. This includes making decisions about referrals to dietitians, social workers, and especially physicians to ensure medical problems and/or symptoms are dealt with appropriately. This may also include arranging for medical procedures such as laboratory studies, EKG's or other medical follow-up. Secondly, it is important that appropriate documentation identifying both the problem, and the resolution of that problem through clinical needs, has been completed.

Comments

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Often: Infectious disease, oils (there is air or skin exposure to oils or other cutting fluids), hazards (includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals).

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting. 

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.