Clinical Coordinator

Purpose and Scope

Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) mission, vision, core values, and customer service philosophy are upheld by the Charge Nurse. Compliance with FMCNA's Compliance Program, including all regulatory and facility policy requirements, is ensured. Quality patient care is maintained while ensuring cost-effective clinical operations in accordance with all legal, compliance, and regulatory requirements and programs.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day guidance, support, and direction to direct patient care staff, providing informal feedback on an ongoing basis and formal feedback for annual performance evaluation.
• Participate in department staffing and appropriate hiring, firing, and disciplinary actions. Recommend disciplinary action to Facility Administrator and initiate as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with all company and facility-approved procedures and policies, as well as regulations set forth by state and federal agencies.
• Approve or disapprove time or personnel schedule changes in the absence of the Facility Administrator, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures for documenting time of work hours for staff members on assigned shift.
• Participate in patient care plan meetings.
• Maintain knowledge in current practices related to principles and techniques of dialysis by participating in all scheduled in-services.
• Train and orient staff as necessary.
• Routinely observe and guide direct patient care staff for appropriate technique and adherence to facility policies and procedures.
• Promote and assist with compliance to OSHA programs to maintain a safe and clean working environment.
• Maintain overall shift operation in a safe, efficient, and effective manner.
• Conduct staff meetings with Facility Administrator at least monthly or as needed to keep patient care staff informed of changes in patient care needs or operations to improve delivery of care.
• Meet routinely with Facility Administrator to discuss personnel and patient care status, issues, and information.
• Supervise all documentation of patient information.
• Coordinate Charge Nurse duties with Staff RNs acting in the relief charge capacity.
• Assess daily patient care needs and develop and distribute patient care assignments appropriately.
• Assume primary responsibility in an emergency situation.
• Assess patient needs, respond to dialysis treatments, and communicate concerns to rounding physician. Implement changes in patient care/treatment as directed.
• Monitor and supervise all patient care activity during dialysis and assist as necessary.
• Collaborate with direct patient care team in making decisions to benefit patient care.
• Continuously monitor patient's condition with regards to problems and potential complications associated with dialysis.
• Administer medications to patients per physician's orders.
• Act as subject matter expert and resource for staff members.
• Supervise and participate in completion of short- and long-term care plans.
• Admit new patients according to facility procedure.
• Ensure educational needs of patients are met and educate the patient and family about End Stage Renal Disease, dialysis therapy, diet, and medication.
• Supervise the safe and effective use of all equipment involved in direct patient care.
• Operate all dialysis-related and emergency equipment safely and efficiently when needed.
• Perform required testing and verification and initial checklist for start-up and shut-down procedures as outlined in the Technical Services Manual.
• Complete Nurse's Technical Training Program/Water Quality Facility.
• Assist with special projects or other duties as assigned by Facility Administrator.
• Assist with interviewing of potential direct patient care staff.
• Promote efficient use of medical supplies.
• Attend and participate in monthly Quality Assurance meetings.

Additional Responsibilities

Focus on one or more departments or locations may be included. See applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Day-to-day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.

The work environment is characteristic of a healthcare facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials. Travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required.

Supervision

Direct Patient Care Staff, Ward Clerk as assigned.

Education

Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing (R.N.). Must be registered and licensed to practice in the applicable State.

Experience and Required Skills

• Minimum of 12 months of nursing experience, plus 6 months of specialized experience providing clinical nursing care to dialysis patients, in either a chronic or acute setting.
• Medical/surgical nursing preferred.
• Supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Certified in CPR or successfully complete course in CPR certification.
• Good communication skills - verbal and written.