Registered Nurse (Dialysis)

1.   Job SUMMARY:

Provides professional nursing care to patients by working independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team. Assumes primary responsibility for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patient care in accordance with established standards  and hospital policies. Takes charge of ward/department when required.

2.   DIMENSIONS:

Responsibility for Human Resources

Responsibility for Capital Resources

None

Effective and efficient use of resources

3.   RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Manpower

1.1.  Structure / Management

Participates in the allocation of workload and ensures efficient patient management and effective  patient care

      1.2  Recruitment

N/A

      1.3. 90 Day Probationary Period

              Participates in 90 day probationary assessment and annual performance review

      1.4. Recommendations for Re-contract

              Applies for individual contract renewal as per InterHealth Canada policy

      1.5. Discipline issues

Is able to problem solve, deal with and report complaints appropriately and follow  disciplinary procedures when necessary

Open to constructive criticism and participates in unbiased discipline procedures when necessary

1. 2.    Policies & Procedures

2.1.  Creation of Documents

        Participates in, and leads where appropriate, the development, review and monitoring of

        nursing and departmental procedures, policies, and protocols and ensures compliance with

        same.

2.2.  Review & Maintenance of Policy & Procedures

Participates in the monitoring and review of nursing and departmental policies and procedure in conjunction with interdisciplinary team

2.3.  Adherence to Policy & Procedures

Adheres to and ensures that all staff under his or her supervision comply with hospital policies and procedures

1. 3.    Committees

3.1.  Terms of Reference

Functions on committees as recommended by nursing lead or supervisor  

3.2.  Chairing of Committees

Functions on committees as recommended by nursing lead or supervisor

3.3.  Membership of Other Committees

             Participates in designated hospital committees/teams as assigned

1. Quality and Best Practice

Practices in accordance with the standards of professional ethics and practice and within a client and family centred care model.

Determines nursing interventions based on evidence-based practice and clinical assessment data; prioritises identified needs; implements Dialysis/Nursing actions and evaluates patient outcomes

Engages and interacts with carers/family encouraging them to be actively involved in patient’s care planning.

Maintain accurate documentation practicies and efficient reporting system. Makes use of clinical information system for up to date record management.

Performs nursing skills competently and independently. Maintains current knowledge of clinical nursing practice. Perform advances or specialised nursing according to training and experience as required

Maintains a safe environment for patients/family unit and staff through effective  infection control practices and knowledge of accident prevention and emergency procedures.

Ensure safe and appropriate use of equipment including quality testing, proper care and handling and prompt reporting and/or removal of any malfuntioning equipment.

Ensure proper documentation, storage and security of all medications and control drugs under your supervision.

Demonstrates continuous improvement and best practice in nursing practice

Performs other professional duties as may be assigned within his/her scope and ability

5.    Financial Practice

Ensure the effective and efficient use of human and capital resourcees within the sphere of responsibility  including the  monitoring and management of equipment, supplies and pharmacueticals

6. Continuing Education

Participates in induction and education programmes to remain current in field of practise, doing additional programs as recommended by department to upgrade skills and gain new skills as needed by the department, guides practice and assists in assessing competence and educational needs of junior staff.

Attends inservices and participates in continuing professional development

7  Advisory

Consults and collaborates with interdisciplinary team members and other healthcare providers.

 Provides information and communicates with supervisor or manager.

4.  DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY:

Under supervision, provides and co-ordinates nursing care to patients within available resources making decisions within scope of practice, knowledge and experience.

5.  COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS:

 Internal:    

• Nursing team
• Medical team
• Allied health professionals
• Human resources
• Facilities and support services.

 External: 

• Patients
• Families and care givers
• Public
• Other relevant external agencies.

6.   KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR JOB

     Education

Required

• Graduate of an approved School of Nursing, holding a certificate in Nursing, with current registration from country of training/origin
• Nephrology nursing perefeed.
• Evidence of ongoing relevent post graduate education and training
• Current BLS certification
• Peritoneal Dialysis Certification

Desired

• Holder of  Nursing Degree 
• Current ACLS certification

     Experience

• Minimum two years recent clinical nursing experience
• Belonger trained persons returning requires mentoring and no expereince.

Communication Skills

• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with patients, families , the public, and the members of the interdiscilplinary team
• Excellent oral, written and computer skills, fluent in English

Demonstrated Skills/Abilities

JOB SPECIFICS

Essential

1. Perform Peritoneal Dialysis service procedures and techniques
2. Excellent interpersonal, decision-making and critical thinking skills
3. Assist Doctor in renal clinics
4. Sets and operates the dialysis machine
   1. Primes and sets the dialysis machine
   2. Weights patient and obtain report and records baseline vital signs pre and post dialysis
   3. Cannulates AV fistula ad grafts
   4. Connects patients to machines using subclavian, femoral and jugular hemodialysis catheters
   5. Initiates hemodialysis treatment
   6. Obtain blood samples for testing from dialysis tubing
   7. Measures and adjusts dialysis flow rate based on written order
   8. Performs clotting times according to protocol
   9. Monitor report and record changes in dialysis treatment parameters
   10. Ordering of monthly labs and monitoring results when they return.
   11. Reporting of abnormal labs to Doctor if the same needs urgent attention.
   12. Responds to alarms and observe dialysis equipment for correct functioning during dialysis
   13. Assembles all supplies on a clean trolley at the couch side before the initiation of treatment
   14. Mixes bicarbonate solution
   15. Inspects and evaluates access sites and reports condition to supervisor
   16. Terminate hemodialysis treatment
   17. Remove needles and dress cannulation site using appropriate techniques
   18. Makes all necessary documentation
   19. Sanitizes and/or sterilizes equipment and dispose of used supplies appropriately
   20. Assist with transfer of patients and clerical work and any other duties with scope
   21. Monitors patients while on dialysis treatment
   22. Attends to emergencies while patients are in the unit
   23. Removes patients from machines
   24. Educate patients on relevant patient care information
   25. Assist with counseling of patients
   26. Is involved in case presentations for patient with complex situations
   27. Helps in the development of nursing protocols
   28. Ensuring that patient’s treatment areas are clean and safe for treatment.
   29. Maintaining educational sessions to keep themselves current with the latest trends in Dialysis treatments.
   30. Supervises dialysis technicians
   31. Attends monthly staff meetings
   32. Participates in any other duty within the scope of practice assigned by unit head
   33. Doing Ozone heat treatments.
   34. Supervise new and junior staff.
   35. Supervise and work closely with Dialysis Technician.
   36. Take part in promotional activities for Renal and Kidney functions
   37. Liaise with overseas providers concerning patient requesting treatment in the unit and also assist in preparing patients and documents in the unit for treatment overseas.
   38. Perform Peritoneal Dialysis service procedures and techniques.
   39. Daily, Monthly and weekly assigned duties to be completed such as
   40. Statistics
   41. Water Quality monitoring
   42. Diet sheets
   43. Patient Scheduler
   44. Supplies ordering
   45. Crash Cart checking
   46. Quality monitoring
   47.  Any other duties assigned within their scope of duties.
   48. Be familiar with the RO (Reverse Osmosis System) and water testing system to perform these functions. 
   49. Training and mentoring of junior staff

3. Ability to respond effectively in emergency situations
4. Ability to apply clinical knowledge and practice within a patient/family centred model of care
5. Ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team
6. Proficient in use of computer
7. Reliable
8. Excellent customer service skills
9. Demonstrates a caring attitude to patients and colleagues
10. Ability to deal with and diffuse conflict situations

Preferred

• Competent in using a computerized patient care information system
• Awareness and understanding of quality assurance objectives

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Self motivator
• Punctual
• Sound judgement and decision making skills
• Open, honest, hardworking and reliable
• Approachable, helpful and proactive
• Flexible to meet needs of service
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the job

7.    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF POST HOLDER

CONFIDENTIALITY: The employee must at all times maintain complete confidentiality of the material

and information that they handle.  Any matters of a confidential nature, or in particular, information relating

to diagnoses and treatment of patients and employee staff records must, under no circumstances, be divulged or passed on to any unauthorised person or persons.

DATA PROTECTION: The employee must at all times respect the confidentiality of information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act (1998) or local equivalents.  This includes, if required to do so, obtain, process and/or use information held on a computer in a fair and lawful way, to hold data only for the specified registered purposes and to use or disclose data only to authorised persons or organisations as instructed.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them by the British Health & Safety Executive’s Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) to ensure that the agreed safety procedure is carried out to maintain a safe environment for the other employees and visitors.

QUALITY ASSURANCE: Staff must ensure that their quality standards meets the established guidelines and procedures set by the organization, its leaders and in accordance with evidence based and principal base practises regarding patient centered care while continueing to  cultivate a sustainable culture of continuous quality improvement.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY: All employees are expected to abide by ICS’s equal opportunities policy, failure to do so could result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: All employees are expected to comply with all ICS corporate policies and procedures.