Davita RN position with pct duties

[TenderLoveNCare]

So let me start off by saying I'm so excited I got a call back from Davita! I'm currently working on a very busy CV stepdown unit and looking for a change. I was offered a position with Davita for a small 13 chair clinic but with this position they would like for me to function as a RN and PCT. The clinic is only open MWF and there is 1 other RN and 2 techs already in the clinic. Since I have no dialysis experience I was wondering is this typical for a chronic dialysis clinic and is it a reasonable request?

[westieluv]

If I understand you to say that you will be splitting 13 patients with another RN and two PCTs, then that is a good RN to patient ratio. In our 20 chair clinic, we have two RNs and 4 PCTs at any given time, so each RN is responsible for 10 patients. The down side of sharing 6 or 7 patients with one PCT is that you would probably have to tech at least a couple of patients per shift because PCTs can't do much more than 5 patients, it's too much for one person. That means that you would still have to assess and pass meds on all 6 or 7 patients, but you would have to do everything (put them on, monitor their VS, take them off) for a couple of them. That's something that we don't normally have to do, but we can and do jump in and help to tech if and when we have time.

[TenderLoveNCare]

Thanks so much for your response . I wasn't sure if that was a reasonable expectation or not but the way you explained it I feel more confident!

[schnookimz]

I agree that it's totally reasonable, but will be very difficult at first until you get the time management of dialysis down.

[TenderLoveNCare]

Thanks and I'm up for the challenge!

[westieluv]

I think a lot of people think that working in outpatient dialysis means just running treatments, but there is much more that is required of the RN, particularly since the federal government has imposed so many new requirements for reimbursement over the past few years.

Not only do you have to help tech, assess patients as they come in, and pass meds on everyone, but there are long, complicated, federally mandated care plans that must be done in order for the government to reimburse for Medicare/Medicaid patients, and also monthly foot checks, monthly med reviews, monthly lab reviews, rounding with doctors, etc., all of which must be squeezed in around the normal demands of a busy day. It is doable, but it does take quite a while to get to the point where you can do it all, and even then it's very hard.

I'm not trying to discourage the OP, and she has a good attitude and confidence, which is important. I'm just saying that it isn't as easy as a lot of nurses who work in other areas of nursing think it is.

[TenderLoveNCare]

I really appreciate your honest opinion. I know dialysis is more than just running treatments and is very complex detailed work. I did tons of research before I decided to go into this specialty, but I'm so up for the challenge. I'm so glad to know that with time and good training that it is doable.