Laws Regarding Training

westieluv · Jul 31, 2013

I don't know the laws in Indiana, but how in the world can a tech train an RN when your jobs cover different responsibilities and scopes of practice? How can you learn how to supervise the techs or take dialysis orders from a nephrologist if you are being trained by someone who is not allowed to do those things? Is the tech just teaching the basics of machine set up and monitoring a patient while on dialysis? Even at that, I have never heard of an RN being trained by a tech. Something isn't right about that. I would definitely go to your supervisor and voice your concerns.

chare · Aug 1, 2013

I have been told by two other RN's that the dialysis tech (in Indiana) is not supposed to be training me (I am a RN), unless there is another dialysis nurse on the same floor. Not in the hospital, but on the same floor.

Training you to do what? If you are referring to training you in the technical aspects of the dialysis machine I doubt that this is an issue. However, if you have concerns, you should probably e-mail the Indiana Board of Nursing with your specific questions.

Erikadawn RN · Aug 1, 2013

I worked for a small dialysis company when I started. I was trained by nurses, but I also trained ALOT with the techs. Starting without orders is not good. Techs often feel as if they can do the job better than nurses. Some techs are great at what they do, but my administrator said to me, they are good at what they do, but you are the nurse and your education and scope are different. I'm not saying DONT learn from the tech, but do what you know is correct. Such as having proper orders, etc. I wouldn't run and quit my job, but I would let them know, do not start without me. You will have techs with atitudes where ever you work in dialysis , chronic or acute, learn to deal with it

DialysisRN12 · Aug 1, 2013

WestieLuv,

Training with a tech on machines is completely normal. Most techs know the machine better than an RN unless an RN regularly works a group of patients or is in Acutes. Most companies have a new RN train for 4-6weeks with a tech. Then once you learn the machine, you train with a fellow RN to learn nursing responsibilities.

serenidad2004 · Aug 1, 2013

I was trained by a nurse... but have also learned A LOT from the techs I work with. I work in a fairly small unit with consistent staff. 4 other nurses and 6 techs. It is a good environment with mutual respect.

jschut, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2013

I have been training with this tech pretty much since I started. I meet this person in the morning at whichever hospital our supervisor sends us to (we work acutes) and the tech tells me what I am supposed to do. I also start the patient, and call the doctor, and write orders. It's as if I am working on my own, but the tech "guides" me.

I do not agree that I should be under the tech's "supervision" and have been told that this is against the law, but I do not know where to look or who to ask.... I will email the Board of Nursing to see what they have to say, but as also stated in another response, I cannot go to the supervisor, as the tech and super are good friends and have worked together for years.

AmandaMarquellCraft · Aug 1, 2013

It doesn't sound to me like she is the kind of tech that you want to learn from anyway. I work for davita and they start the nurses out by training with the tech for 6 weeks give or take. And then they go train with the nurses for 6 weeks give or take. But that is in SOuth Carolina.

AmandaMarquellCraft · Aug 1, 2013

And at Davita any tech who is able to train has to be a preceptor and it is mandatory that the go to a preceptor class.