Renal Nurse jobs

Purpose and Mission

Renal nurses (or dialysis nurses) work with patients with kidney disease, and educates patients and families with regard to conditions and treatments.  Also sometimes called nephrology nurses, these healthcare professionals have a variety of responsibilities ranging from clinical care to administration. Renal nurses work in community clinics, walk-in dialysis centres, hospital dialysis departments, transplant units, residential care, local government and nonprofit health care facilities and in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.

Reports To

Most renal nurses report to a nursing supervisor or dialysis department head. When working for a GP in a private dialysis group, a nurse may report to the doctor / owner / partner of the dialysis centre.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Senior dialysis nurses often coordinate and provide training and/or supervision for other dialysis-related personnel. However, nurses with less experience typically have few oversight duties.

Qualifications

Renal nurses are most commonly registered nurses (with a bachelor’s degree in most cases). Many dialysis nurses take additional training and move up to a specialist nursing role after a couple of years of general practice.

Keep in mind that RNs must have a valid Nursing Registration with the AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioners Agency) to practise with the public.

Responsibilities of a Renal Nurse

Dialysis nurses deal with patients of all ages with kidney disease.  A nurse working in a dialysis unit is often also responsible for delivery of primary nursing care for patients with CKS. Typical duties may include:

• Patient assessment and development of a care plan together with other members of the health care team

• Identifying risk factors

• Assisting with patient and family education relating to treatment protocols to help manage expectations

• Initiation of dialysis treatment, monitoring patient and equipment status during the process and termination of the dialysis

• Working with patients and their families to set up in-home dialysis administration

• Helping to provide nursing care during and after a renal transplant

• Thoughtfully and empathetically explaining treatment options to patients and their families

• Coordinating a multidisciplinary health care team to provide the best possible care for CKS patients and support their families

• Providing immediate nursing intervention to prevent complications of dialysis treatment, thus significantly decreasing patient hospitalizations

• Working with patients to reach their goal of full rehabilitation    

• Performing acute dialysis as required, with the goal of reducing patient morbidity and extending life.