LVN duties in chronic dialysis center

[GeauxNursing]

what are your responsibilities in the chronic dialysis setting? I was informed that upon getting my LVN license I will still be showing up at the crack of dawn, setting up my own machines, taking patient assignments (all the catheters will be in my section), basically just acting as a glorified tech, doing everything I do right now. Adding on of course, putting on those catheters AND doing meds for everyone. I of course understand there will be a good pay increase and prestige and all that.

so my question is, is this standard practice where you are? do you take assigments and do other "tech" duties as an LVN?

[Fiona59]

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.