Peritoneal Dialysis RN

TITLE: PERITONEAL DIALYSIS RN

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The peritoneal nurse is responsible for providing educations training, support, and monitor renal health on the for the home dialysis patient assuring safe and appropriate care.

Position Responsibilities

Candidate Selection

1. Evaluate potential peritoneal dialysis candidates.
   1. Counsel pre-dialysis patients in the choices of treatment modalities.
   2. Work closely with nephrologists and social worker in evaluating patient for program.
2. Evaluate the home environment to see if it meets treatment specifications.

Patient Care:

1. Develop and maintain nursing care plans, maintain patient charts.
2. Orient and prepare patients to assume primary responsibility for own health maintenance on the peritoneal dialysis program.
3. Train the patient and any other family member in the peritoneal techniques. If a nursing home resident, train the appropriate staff in the peritoneal techniques.
4. Provide written resources pertaining to peritoneal dialysis.
5. Monitor, order the peritoneal supplies and assure prompt delivery to the patient.
6. Coordinate care and notify nephrologists when patient is hospitalized.
7. Perform tubing changes for CAPD/CCPD patients.
8. Provide emergency care if needed.
9. Provide 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.
10. Make monthly visits to the home for surveillance of performance and adaptation.
11. Evaluate patients monthly in clinic for lab draw, blood pressure, weight adequacy, and ongoing patient education.

Communications and Patient Service Skills

1. Practices according to company policies and procedures, protocols, state and federal regulations for peritoneal patients.
2. Ensure the transcription of all physicians’ orders is placed in the patient chart.
3. Ensure documentation of all laboratory requisitions and results in a legible and timely manner.
4. Attends monthly meetings with patient’s physician to review and revise any orders.
5. Contacts patients’ physician if any changes in patients’ health or mental status.
6. 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

1. Complete charting in a timely manner, assuring all charges are entered properly.
2. Advise billing/accounting department of any changes in patient’s insurance.

Qualifications

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