Pct interview for davita

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hello everyone :)

I had an interview for a pct position with davita, not sure how well I did because one (of the four) interview-ee's seemed to focus on the fact that I have no dialysis experience.

I passed the phone interview with flying colors, and the person I interviewed on the phone with said davita provides dialysis training for all technicians who are lacking the experience.

I'm just bummed. I have been doing hospice/dementia care since 2005 and was interested in dialysis so thought I'd give it a try.

hoping for the best anyway. :) I was interviewing for 2 different clinic locations so maybe I have a chance to be considered the right candidate.

anyone here who began at a dialysis clinic with zero dialysis experience?

I will be finishing up my CNA class in mid February and am thinking of applying to either an Assisted Living facility or a dialysis treatment center such as DaVita. Can you tell me how much they pay? What are the hours like, part time techs and full time?

Thanks and congrats to the OP for getting the job!!

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I will be finishing up my CNA class in mid February and am thinking of applying to either an Assisted Living facility or a dialysis treatment center such as DaVita. Can you tell me how much they pay? What are the hours like, part time techs and full time?

Thanks and congrats to the OP for getting the job!!

Part Time techs are not really wanted as far as i can tell. As a full time tech working at a clinic with 3 shifts, usually works from 5am to 9pm. Give or take a few hours in the evening, you go home when the patient load goes down basically. 2 Shifts would be the best deal. 2 shift days are only about 11 or 13 hour shifts. Those 16 hour days get really long on anybody i don't care who you are. On your feet working with only 2 30 minute breaks is TOUGH! Expect to have 4 patients assigned to you on each shift. The reasons why i dont like this job much anymore is because you dont know when you are leaving. Its basically how many patients come in or go or who opened or what have you. My gf gets upset that i leave before 5 in the morning, and get home at 10 at night. So its hard if you have a family. I started out making 10.50 an hour at FMC but that was 6 years ago. Currently i make around 16/hour but thats with a lot of experience and good references. Do what will fit your lifestyle the most. If you use this experience for a stepping stone i think it will open your eyes a little bit to the healthcare world.

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Specializes in alzheimers, hospice, dialysis.

hey, just checking in to say how my training is going. I just finished my 3rd week. Didn't get to start until january because of an issue with the 3rd party background check people. (they tried getting my h.s. Transcripts during xmas break among other things.)

anyway, I am loving the training so far. My preceptor has been a tech for over ten years (i believe he may be an lvn but can t remember atm) he is very very patient when I ask questions, but doesn't just give me the answer either, which I think is a good thing, enforcing logical thinking etc.

I work 4 twelves a week, starting at 3 am and ending between 3 pm to 430 pm if we are short staffed.

so far I've learned:

setting up the machine (this was so confusing to me lol)

priming, test, recirc, test condutivity etc, diasafe test every wk, acid rinse etc etc etc

taking vitals (this I already knew but whatever I love the auto bp cuff!!!!!!!!!)

putting pt info in the comp

take down machine

dialysis information in general

programming the machine

going to start my module on accesses next wk (wk 4)

I would say the training could be easy for some people but also very hard for others. But you get so much repition it should just come to you.

personally I learned by reading info, not by hearing it or seeing it done so without a manual for the set ups I was confused for about a week.

there is so much info coming at you from all directions but it's also so interesting.

I love the patients!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

also the training is also paid, and I have already accumlated pto, and can get benefits in april. So that's really great for me!!!

the hours are long for some of the techs (4 am to closing, 5 days in a row cause we are short staffed) but hey, a job is a job and you get tired, but you are helping people so be glad you have a meaningful job. Haven't had to work 5 days in a row but probably some day lol.

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Hi Guys,

Are you guys located in Florida? I'm thinking there in the summer I'm a PCT with phlebotomy and EKG certification, I was thinking of getting certified as a hemodialysis tech....

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Getting certified as a hemo diaylsis tech is not hard.. just apply im sure they would hire you. They hire people who have no medical experience all the time, more so FMC than DaVita. But still, it paid off for me when i was hired 6 years ago. Now im attending RN school and never looked back

Apply, they'll train you, certify you, and you're good to go!

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Specializes in alzheimers, hospice, dialysis.

no i'm not located in florida, but i'm sure the only difference being a tech for you would be whether or not you could or could not draw up certain meds, and start catheter patients.

if you already have phlebotomy, i'm sure they'd hire you. i have no exp sticking picking at all, and tomorrow will be my first day, haha. :)

most of the new hires i've met were previous phlebotomists, ekg techs, or crosstrained from reuse.

good luck!!

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Hi Cookieomonster84,

Are you located in NY for Davita?

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Specializes in alzheimers, hospice, dialysis.

nope i'm not in NY :( i'm sorry.

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Hi I'm a tech at Davita. You'll be fine especially w/ your experiences. I just got out of MA school when I became a PCT which requires only a HHD, so now I feel like i've wasted my time in school. Although I do love being a tech. It's great to work w/ Davita.

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Specializes in CNA.

Wow guys thanks for the information i cant wait to take my certification courses and get a job in the hospital.

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I have absolutely no healthcare experience whatsoever. Not even volunteering yet. I'm pretty much working through my pre-requisites.

If I took the American Red Cross course in CNA, would that qualify me to apply to Davita for the dialysis program?

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Specializes in Med/ Surg/ Telemetry, Public Health.

Yes they do offer training so do't worry. I started out at a Fresenius dialysis, worked their for 6 years and then left and went to a Davita. Training was about the same. You will have a preceptor. The davita that I worked at the training is 90 days. I was already certified so I only did 30 days. The first few weeks of learning is going to be overwhelming it's alot of info to learn at one time. You are basically dealing with blood, sticking pt's starting and ending their tx, and monioring vital signs. Don't get discourged about being slow and feeling like you are behind. Diaysis is a great job. I have now completed my prereqs to go to nursing school. I one day would like to become a dialysis nurse( who knows what field I will be in). Davita will work with your school schedule before and after you get in the program. Good Luck!

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