LVN duties in chronic dialysis center

Up here, LPN's who are trained in Dialysis are called either Dialysis Techs or Dialysis Assistants.

They receive the same education and practical training as an RN in the same classroom. The difference is that an RN can IV push on return, the PN cannot.

Everyone on a dialysis unit is required to be their to set up at least two of their three machines. The patient is put on, run, taken off. The machine is then cleaned, restrung and the grind goes on. We do have service aides but there are usually only two on a 30 chair unit. It's hard work on everybody because of the pressure of turn around time.

PN's have to access both CVCs and grafts. Assess, medicate, do the dialysis, prepare and hang IV antibiotics if required, clean and string the machines.

Oh, and PN's in dialysis make $0.60 more than a hospital PN. It's just not worth it. The only good thing about dialysis is there are no night or Sunday shifts.

And don't forget the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome from smacking those dialyzers.