Paula Schaefer

• Directed nursing staff to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Implemented quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care outcomes.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans.
• Mentored and trained nursing staff on best practices and policy updates.

• Led nursing staff to enhance patient care quality and operational efficiency.
• Developed and implemented training programs for nursing personnel, improving skill sets and performance.
• Streamlined scheduling processes to optimize staffing levels and reduce overtime expenditures.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to establish patient care protocols and ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.

• Administer dialysis treatments to patients as prescribed by physicians
• Monitor patients' vital signs before, during, and after treatment
• Educate patients and their families about kidney disease and dialysis procedures
• Prepare and maintain dialysis machines and equipment
• Ensure a safe and sterile environment to prevent infections
• Assess patients' response to dialysis treatment and make necessary adjustments
• Record and report any changes in patients' conditions to the healthcare team
• Coordinate with dietitians and social workers to provide comprehensive patient care
• Provide emotional support to patients and their families
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development
• Adhere to all safety regulations and healthcare standards
• Experience working in a nephrology or dialysis setting
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle high-stress situations
• Proficiency with dialysis equipment and technology
• Experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems
• Registered Nurse (RN) licensure
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities
• Ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team
• Compassionate and patient-centered approach to care

• Leads daily operations for the nursing department.
• Sets and tracks departmental goals and objectives.
• Develops and implements nursing policies and procedures.
• Supervises, trains, and evaluates nursing staff.
• Hires and onboards new nurses.
• Sets the nursing schedule.
• Provides direct patient care when necessary.
• Investigates patient complaints.
• Collaborates with doctors and executives.
• Oversees the department’s budget.
• Maintains a stocked inventory.
• Designs and manages continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives.
• Ensures that all guidelines, regulations, and standards are followed.
• Uses popular software, including medical database, research, diagnosis, billing, scheduling, and telemedicine software.
• Collaborates with physicians and administrators across departments and seniority levels.
• Communicates effectively and has strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excels at relationship building and has strong leadership skills.
• Learns quickly and has strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Develops strong relationships with patients and their families and has an excellent bedside manner.
• Works calmly in high-pressure situations.

• Managed staffing for facility. Insured patent care per CMS regulations.

Oversees the preparation of the delivery system, dialysate bath, and dialyzer and confirms that all

mandatory alarm tests on the dialyzer and equipment are performed.

 Reviews physician orders for dialysis patients, collects pre-treatment dialysis data, and reviews

patient records prior to dialysis.

 Conducts pre-dialysis patient assessment including obtaining patient vital signs and assessing the

patient' s vascular access, laboratory findings, and the patient' s general health.

 Verifies that patients are taking all prescribed medications and performs medication

reconciliation.

 Documents findings of patient assessments and interventions and advises providers of any

significant change in the patient's condition and other pertinent information.

 Discusses patient concerns and answers questions relevant to care.

 Oversees dialysis technicians in the performance of dialysis from start to finish, monitors patient

reaction to treatment and performance of the dialysis machines, and demonstrates an in-depth

understanding of the mechanics of dialysis.

 Assesses, prepares, and cannulates a patient' s vascular access (including needle insertion in

arterioveinous fistula or grafts for aseptic connection with dialysis equipment).

 Utilizes sterile techniques to assess the dialysis catheter exit site and to apply dressing on the

patient' s vascular access (dialysis catheter , arterioveinous access) per protocols.

Maintains skills necessary to perform surveillance on dialysis access (catheter, fistula, graft) for

early signs of failure or infection; this includes (if needed and after receiving the appropriate

training) the ability to perform arterioveinous access monitoring using ultrasound machine per

protocol.

 Reviews patient' s electronic/paper records for orders as appropriate and administers dialysis-

related intra-venous and/or oral medications as prescribed and/or per protocol.

 Conducts post dialysis assessment and patient discharge by evaluating treatment, documenting

medication administration utilizing the appropriate protocols, assessing condition of vascular

access, discharging the patient when vital signs are stable, and documenting and recording

patient treatment data.

 Provides patient education/teaching applicable to the patient' s medical condition.

 Refers patient to other disciplines or services as needed (nutrition, social work, etc).

 Performs other treatments and diagnostic tests such as blood sugar testing and other tests

required as part of patient treatment.

 Oversees disassembly and disinfection of dialysis equipment.

 Maintains skills necessary to do regional heparinization, separate and store blood samples, set up

oxygen, administer saline, and maintain dialysis equipment.

 Performs surveillance and testing of dialysis water treatment equipment and dialysis water (such

as chlorine, hardness, conductivity, water cultures) to ensure that these machines are operating

within the parameters set in the facility's written protocols.

 Demonstrates a working knowledge of dialysis laboratory tests and dialysis medications.

 Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of infection control and prevention of transmission of

blood borne pathogens.

 Participates in quality improvement activities to include collection of data for the dialysis unit

Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) plan.

 Responds appropriately and provides assistance in emergency situations.

 Provides leadership in improving patient care, maintaining standards of care, directing and

teaching personnel in a variety of settings, and providing charge nurse responsibilities as needed.

 Works closely with others on the dialysis team and participates in interdisciplinary team

meetings.

 Maintains responsibility for providing coverage to the dialysis department.

• Provide leadership and guidance to the nursing staff.
  Assign and schedule staff to meet patient care requirements.
  Act as a preceptor for new employees.
  Coach, educate, and mentor staff members.
  Discipline staff when needed and consult with department heads.
  
• Patient care management:Provide direct patient care according to standards and hospital policies.
  Ensure staff are providing quality care and that patient needs are met.
  Monitor patient status and report changes to physicians.
  Assist with clinical emergencies, CPR, and transfers.
  Administer medications and initiate IV/blood therapy.
  
• Operations and administration:Coordinate and manage daily hospital operations.
  Oversee staffing levels and address shortages or conflicts.
  Manage and investigate incidents and accidents.
  Communicate with all hospital departments to ensure smooth operations.
  Ensure compliance with hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory standards.
  
• Communication and problem-solving:Communicate effectively with patients, families, and staff.
  Resolve conflicts between staff, residents, and families.
  Report patient status accurately and concisely.
  

• Responsibilities

• Responsibilities
• Step down unit, float charge nurse

• Responsibilities
• Telemetry staff nurse