Dialysis Technicians -Let's Talk :)

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hello everyone!

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[color=#483d8b]i am hoping that this thread becomes a success for all dialysis techs -experienced and new, to come together and just discuss the field, such as your daily work experiences as a pct in dialysis, your duties, concerns, questions, comments, etc... i am planning to obtain on-the-job training or course training in this field, and at this point don't have a clue what i am actually getting myself into, but i sure would like to know. any and all advice is appreciated, and judging by other site forums and even threads i've read on this site, i am not the only one with questions regarding the demanding world of dialysis. i hope we can all feel comfortable asking questions / opinions and respectfully learn from each other. :)

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I am interested in this also.

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hello classykaren!

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[color=#483d8b]thank you for the interest! you're the only response so far, but that's a start! :D

[color=#483d8b]why are you interested in this thread? are you a dialysis pct? if so, for how long, from what state and where did you get your training?

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[color=#483d8b]for us newbies to the field, what is it that you do from the very moment after you clock-in to work? please take us through your day, details are fully appreciated :redbeathe.

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I am interested in this also. I want to find out how to get into the class for it. But everything i have tried has been a dead end. So if anyone could help that would be great. thanks

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hello adorablepuppy!

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[color=#483d8b]thank you for responding to this thread! i got 2 interested in it so far, so i'm pretty happy about that! i scanned through a few of your previous posts to see if you mention what state you are from, and you mentioned a cna exam in north carolina -are you currently residing there? if so, i looked up fresenius medical care, and there are over 20 locations in various cities of north carolina. i mention fmc, because here in illinois, and from what i've read via internet and this site, is that fmc usually hires pcts without any medical experience -they do paid training. the only thing is that you need to get bonent or ccht certified within 18 months of your hire date. you have to be certified with every dialysis company as of april 2010. the link below explains this in more detail, just scroll down to the box after clicking it. [color=#483d8b]i am actually waiting for my 2nd interview with fresenius, where i am supposed to shadow a pct for a few hours to see if this is a job i would like to get into. i hope my response gave you some insight and helped you out. i'll try to find out more for you, just let me know what information you need. thank you much!:nurse:

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http://www.bonent.org/examinations/cht.html

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Hi guys! I'm brand new, 2 days away from completing my dialysis technician course in DesPlaines, IL. I am preparing to take the CCHT but it is not necessary to have it before you apply for a job. I was contacted by 2 companies I applied at just because I was a CNA to train with them but chose to take this course. I was also told to wait to apply until after my certification but I didn't listen. I applied at a smaller company 2 weeks ago, got hired, & start Monday (wish me luck). I'm very excited to begin this new career, welcome all!

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You guys are in for a LOT of hard work. True nursing at it's best. You will assess, stick patient with needles ranging from 15-18 guage needles. You will then hook them up (or string) the machines - and you will need to trouble shoot the machine. A good tech will pull her load, have keen assessment and documentation skills and take NO short cuts. Short cuts kill people. period. oh and it's VERY fast paced. You either love it or hate it.

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Thank you! I'm lucky with our clinical I've seen what the techs do for hours on end & got to experience a lot. So the fact I'm still so very interested & excited about this is a great sign. I'm very passionate & hope for a long career. As I wrote I officially start Monday, wish me luck!!

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welcome dtnewbie! i wish you great luck on your first day at work! although it's hard work and a lot to do (from what i've read and watched on youtube lol) you'll do great because you're interested and determined to learn this field, as i am. i haven't even been hired in the dialysis field yet (still awaiting a call back for my 2nd interview), but i started this thread because my interest was peaked by my internet research. at least you had clinicals and actual lectures, so i think you'll apply your knowledge just fine!

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[color=#483d8b]hello fa2nurse! thank you for your input :). how long have you worked in dialysis? what state are you currently in (for laws)? i am glad that you had mentioned to not take "shortcuts". can you give a few examples of some very bad "shortcuts" to take, compared to the proper way pcts are supposed to perform the task? could you walk us through a typical day as a dialysis pct once you clock-in, til you clock-out? like what is the very first thing you do, second and so on? details appreciated :D.

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Is it possible for LPNs to work in Dialysis or is just RNs?

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hello anne36! thank you for responding to this thread, i hope it keeps on growing. i believe it is possible for a lpn to work as a certified hemodialysis nurse once s/he passes the bonent or cchn -depending on the state that you live in. i had read your "about me" info for this site, and i see that you are located in michigan, and i'm looking up info for you as i type this lol.

below is a link that describes a lpns duties in dialysis, so it is possible to work in dialysis as a lpn.

after clicking on the link, scroll down to where it says: references and resources, there are two more links for bonent and a general nursing dialysis forum via renalweb. all links i discussed here are below.

for the bonent link, i had went to the certified hemodialysis nurse link on their site and gave you that link instead.

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[color=#483d8b]i apologize for overwhelming you with links, but once you click the first link listed, you'll see what i'm referring to.

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http://www.ehow.com/list_6757934_duties-lpn-nurse-dialysis_.html

http://www.bonent.org/examinations/chn.html

http://renalweb.groupee.net/eve/forums/a/frm/f/9401014023

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Thanks so much, I find it very intersting.

Im just waiting right now to see if I get accepted to LPN school for January. I found Urinary to be one of the most difficult chapters of my A&P class but I am willing to put more time in to learn about nephrology. Im very excited to get going in school again.

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