SUMMARY

The Home Therapy Registered Nurse -- Traveler, as qualified by federal and state regulations, travels to various U.S. Renal Care locations to provide patient training and ongoing support for all patients choosing a home dialysis modality. This position provides nursing relief/support for assigned programs on a temporary or short-term basis.

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.

· Assist with clinic and patient supply inventory, ensuring usage is appropriate for patient prescriptions and place orders in timely manner to avoid fees and penalties.

· May assist with equipment management including equipment tracking and retrieval as needed.

· Perform duties as assigned to meet the patient care or operational needs of the program.

OUTCOMES

· May assist with improving patient 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. May 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.

· May complete and document monthly review of patient medication profiles as directed. Administer medications as ordered by the physician.

· Provide patient education and follow up as needed.

· Assist with program's target goals for patient outcomes in accordance with quality patient care and Company goals.

OPERATIONAL

READINESS

OPERATIONAL

READINESS

(cont.)

· 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.

· Train patient (and/or care partner) in the practice of self-care Peritoneal Dialysis or Hemodialysis upon meeting federal and state regulations governing Registered Nurse qualifications.

· May conduct home visits to assess the patient's home environment per policy and as needed to improve care.

· Inform (Direct Supervisor) and program Administrator of all incidents, conditions, and concerns related to patient care, staff and patient safety, and in accordance with company policy.

· Document all nursing services in the Electronic Medical Record including but not limited to training sessions, 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.

· May assist with developing and implementing 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.

· Communicate on-call system to patients and ensure patients have access to nursing support at all times. Teach patients the importance of timely communication.

· May perform on call nursing services, nights and weekends, on a rotational basis as needed or assigned.

· 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:

· May 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.

· May assist with ensuring 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.