Dialysis Registered Nurse (RN)

The Dialysis Registered Nurse provides comprehensive nursing care to patients undergoing various renal replacement therapies, including acute inpatient hemodialysis, outpatient peritoneal dialysis, and home dialysis. This role encompasses both inpatient and outpatient settings, focusing on patient assessment, planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of dialysis care. The RN collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, and timely dialysis services.

Essential Job Functions

• Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments for patients receiving dialysis therapies.
• Initiate, monitor, and discontinue hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, ultrafiltration, and continuous renal replacement therapies as ordered.
• Evaluate patient responses to therapies and communicate findings to the nephrologist and interdisciplinary team.
• Monitor patients during treatments and address complications or changes in conditions appropriately.
• Administer medications, blood products, and intravenous therapies following physician orders and hospital policy.
• Provide initial and ongoing education and training to patients and caregivers regarding home peritoneal dialysis.
• Coordinate routine clinic visits and conduct laboratory reviews for home dialysis patients.
• Ensure the functionality of dialysis equipment prior to treatment initiation; perform safety checks and monitor water quality.
• Participate in infection prevention and control practices specific to dialysis services.
• Engage in performance improvement activities, regulatory compliance, and program development.

Qualifications

Education

• Required: Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing.
• Preferred: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Licenses/Certifications/Registrations

• Required: Current RN license in the State of Oregon; Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Preferred: Certified Dialysis Nurse Certification or Nephrology Nurse Certification.

Experience

• Required: At least one year of acute care nursing experience.
• Preferred: Previous experience in dialysis nursing across various modalities.

Other Requirements

• Ability to provide care tailored to patients’ age-specific, cultural, physical, and psychosocial needs.
• Strong communication skills for effective interaction with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
• Ability to function independently while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities, particularly in high-pressure situations.

Physical Requirements

This position requires auditory ability to respond to patient alarms and verbal communication, visual acuity for observing patient conditions, and tactile perception for assessing physical characteristics. Motor coordination is essential for performing tasks with medical equipment. The role involves continuous walking and standing during the shift, lifting up to 50 pounds, and safely assisting patients as needed.

Working Conditions

The Dialysis Registered Nurse will work primarily in an indoor healthcare environment, potentially encountering infectious diseases and hazardous materials. Adherence to safety protocols and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory. The work setting may involve variable temperatures and requires a quick response to changing patient needs and emergencies.