Job Overview:

The Home Training Nurse is responsible for training patients and their care partners to safely and effectively administer dialysis treatments at home. This role involves patient education, ongoing support, and coordination with a multidisciplinary team to ensure optimal patient outcomes. The nurse works in dialysis clinics, home dialysis centers, or visits patients’ homes, providing personalized care and fostering patient independence.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Patient Education and Training:
   • Teach patients and care partners the principles and techniques of home dialysis (PD or HHD), including equipment setup, operation, and maintenance.
   • Provide instruction on infection control, catheter care, fluid management, and recognizing complications.
   • Tailor training to patients’ learning styles, ensuring they demonstrate competency in performing dialysis independently.
   • Educate on lifestyle adjustments, such as diet, nutrition, and medication adherence, to support treatment success.
2. Clinical Care and Monitoring:
   • Assess patients’ health status before, during, and after training sessions, monitoring vital signs, lab results, and treatment responses.
   • Administer dialysis treatments in-center during training or in-home as needed, ensuring safety and compliance with protocols.
   • Identify and respond to adverse reactions or complications, notifying nephrologists or other team members as required.
   • Document patient progress, training completion, and clinical outcomes in medical records.
3. Equipment and Home Setup:
   • Collaborate with technical services to ensure patients’ homes meet requirements for dialysis equipment (e.g., electrical, plumbing, and drainage).
   • Verify dialysis machines and supplies are correctly set up and functioning.
   • Train patients on troubleshooting common equipment issues.
4. Ongoing Support and Follow-Up:
   • Conduct periodic home visits or remote check-ins to assess treatment adherence and address concerns.
   • Provide emotional support and encouragement to help patients adapt to home dialysis.
   • Coordinate with nephrologists, dietitians, social workers, and other team members to adjust care plans as needed.
5. Administrative and Compliance Duties:
   • Maintain accurate records of training sessions, patient competency, and clinical interactions in accordance with Medicare and clinic regulations.
   • Ensure compliance with hygiene, infection control, and safety standards.
   • Participate in quality improvement initiatives and clinic audits.

Qualifications:

• Education: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program.
• Licensure: Active RN license in the state of practice; multi-state licensure may be required for travel or agency roles.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 12 months of RN experience, with at least 3 months in dialysis (PD or HHD preferred).
  • Some states (e.g., Texas) require 6 months of modality-specific experience for home training roles.
     
• Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) required; Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) preferred.
  • Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) or Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN) through the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) is advantageous but not always required.
• Skills:
  • Strong communication and teaching skills to educate patients with varying levels of health literacy.
  • Attention to detail for monitoring equipment and patient conditions.
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking to troubleshoot issues.
  • Compassion and patience to support chronically ill patients emotionally.
  • Technical proficiency with dialysis machines and related equipment.