pct/lvn/rn dialysis clinic question

Trauma Columnist · Feb 13, 2011

The rules changed a few years ago and in most clinics, at least the Fresenius ones, an LPN can't be a nurse any more, they were relegated to the role of PCT.

GeauxNursing · Feb 18, 2011

that sucks for them. I function in an LVN role and get paid as an LVN.

cookiemonster84 · Feb 20, 2011

i live in ca, and LVN's can't touch cath patients, only RN's, so i see why they don't use the "vocational nurses" but at the same time, if i was an LVN, i would work as an LVN....i don't know.

i met a girl last week who was a ten year PCT/certified hemodialysis tech, and i asked her if she had ever wanted to become a nurse. she told me she had gotten her LVN but they don't use LVN's anymore so she just stayed with dialysis because you can work 3 days in dialysis or if you want to work 4 you can, and she never wanted to work in a convalescent home.

my friend who is an LVN gets paid $25 an hour working at a snf, as a pct i am not paid that...so just confused, why would you work for less money...

nursebrandy27 · Feb 24, 2011

Fresenius does allow lpns to function as floor nurses. :yeah:

suela · Mar 5, 2011

I work in Ca and have been a PCT for almost 10 years. (Just applied for the RN program!) When I first started, we used LVN's, but when the state decided LVN's could no longer give IV meds, we stopped using them. (I work for a hospital in an outpatient clinic.) We finally hired LVN's again, but they have to have their PCT/CHT certification. They still cannot give IV meds, except heparin load and maint. when initiating tx. There are other things they can do that we techs can't. Their pay range is only about $2 more than ours; we top out at just under $25/hr.

cookiemonster84 · Mar 5, 2011

what can the lvns do that the pcts can't?

$25 an hour, wow!! but you've earned it after ten years I'm sure!! I'm not sure what the top out rate is where I work (davita) but I just started and I feel I'm paid well, the benes offered are good, and everything is good so far.

we can give heparin & saline, but I think the lidocaine is only given by rn's. Not sure though, I'm still training.

congrats on applying for rn programs, are you planning on staying a dialysis nurse? Or becoming a cnn? Or something totally different?

suela · Mar 6, 2011

The LVNs can document the nursing assessment- pre and post tx. Techs can only document the obvious, such as nausea, vomiting, ambulatory status, awareness, etc. The LVNs will also do foot checks, dressing changes, B12 injections (I think), and can initiate tx for cath pts. We only use lidocaine (intradermal injection) to numb cannulation sites for AVFs and grafts and it can be administered by RN, PCT, or LVN. Heparin and saline can be administered by all as well. The LVNs that were recently hired for our unit are still working with mentors (PCTs and RNs), they cannot work alone until they have their CHT certs in-hand.

Re: congrats... Thanks! Letters are going out sometime next month; I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I have no plans to leave dialysis, but who knows. I just don't think I could ever go back to 8-hour days! Working 3 days a week affords me lots of family time and I LOVE that.

cookiemonster84 · Mar 7, 2011

the lvns can start treatment on cath pts? Lucky! I bet that really helps the rn's. I don't think they can do that at the clinic I work at. But I found out pcts and everyone else can inject lidocaine after all, as well as heparin & normal saline. I don't think our lvn's can do the pre or post treatment assessments either. But I think it must vary by company due to differences in standards and procedures.

yea most everyone I've met in dialysis loves the 3 day work wk and though the days are long it's nice to have a whole 4 days off. But some people at my clinic will work 5 days!!! 4 is the most I've worked, and that was plenty.

congrats again!! Do you have to transfer to another clinic after you pass the nclex?

suela · Mar 7, 2011

Actually, because I work for a hospital, I'm probably gonna have to do a year or so in med surg before coming back to dialysis. Hospital policy says dialysis nurses have to be experienced RNs, no new grads. Silly, I know.

cookiemonster84 · Mar 9, 2011

Actually, because I work for a hospital, I'm probably gonna have to do a year or so in med surg before coming back to dialysis. Hospital policy says dialysis nurses have to be experienced RNs, no new grads. Silly, I know.

oh gosh :/ your ten years of dialysis tech should count!!

well that's how policies are. what made you decide to go for nursing?

suela · Mar 10, 2011

It is just where my path has led me, I guess. I've been a perpetual student; it has taken me about 7 years to finish my pre-reqs. Single mother of 2, only taking classes for 2 majors when they didn't interfere with family time, or when I wasn't working a second job. I can't imagine working anywhere other than where I am now. I really love everyone; patients and staff alike!