LPN in the state of South Carolina: scope of practice in dialysis regarding assessing

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Specializes in nephrology.

We have a RN quitting at work and our CM is going to replace him with a LPN. The LPN has lots of experience, but does not feel comfortable doing assessments.

I looked the scope of practice up on the LLR website. It stated, the role of the LPN is to assist in the assessment.

There are no LPNs in our area that does assessments in dialysis. She does not want to do the assessments, but the CM said she would train her how to do them. If she does learn how to do assessments, they may find a reason she is not needed.

Any LPNs in dialysis that can answer this question, please help. :nailbiting:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Dialysis, Plasmapheresis.
We have a RN quitting at work and our CM is going to replace him with a LPN. The LPN has lots of experience, but does not feel comfortable doing assessments.

I looked the scope of practice up on the LLR website. It stated, the role of the LPN is to assist in the assessment.

There are no LPNs in our area that does assessments in dialysis. She does not want to do the assessments, but the CM said she would train her how to do them. If she does learn how to do assessments, they may find a reason she is not needed.

Any LPNs in dialysis that can answer this question, please help. :nailbiting:

Hi! I worked in a dialysis center in South Carolina for about 2.5 years. We had two LPNs in the company which was about 8 clinics big. I worked with an LPN at my clinic. She had been doing dialysis 25 years and was absolutely FANTASTIC!! She taught me more then anyone Else. She was highly valuable. But to answer your question, it was not legal for her to do assessments or be in charge. She could not put in drs orders or sign off on meds. She got the specialty certification to do catheters and push heparins. Other then the catheter and heparin, she was utilized as a tech. She had a section. It is my understanding that in South Carolina, those are the regulations. LPNs cannot do assessments in SC. Also keep in mind the ratio there is 1 RN to 10 patients. Your LPN will not count for coverage. In this state, it doesn't really benefit you to have an LPN to replace an RN. But it was awesome to have her there for many, many other reasons! I hope it works out for you.

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Specializes in nephrology.

Error in initial post, last sentence should read: If she does not learn how to do assessments, they may find a reason she is not needed.

Thanks for the reply !!

She is worried about telling the manager she can't do the assessments, but I told her she cannot get fired for refusing to work outside her scope of practice. :no:

Thanks again for your help !

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