Dialysis Technician Scope of Practice

Information regarding a DT’s Scope of Practice

(1) The scope of practice of a dialysis technician shall include the following and shall be performed under the direct, on-site supervision of a registered nurse or a physician:

(a) Preparation and cannulation of peripheral access sites (arterial-venous fistulas and arterial-venous grafts);
(b) Initiating, delivering, or discontinuing dialysis care;
(c) Administration of the following medications only:

1. Heparin 1:1000 units or less concentration either to prime the pump, initiate treatment, or for administration throughout the treatment, in an amount prescribed by a physician, physician’s assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner. The dialysis technician shall not administer heparin in concentrations greater than 1:1000 units;
2. Normal saline via the dialysis machine to correct dialysis-induced hypotension based on the facility’s medical protocol. Amounts beyond that established in the facility’s medical protocol shall not be administered without direction from a registered nurse or a physician; and
3. Intradermal lidocaine, in an amount prescribed by a physician, physician’s assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse;

(d) Assistance to the registered nurse in data collection;
(e) Obtaining a blood specimen via a dialysis line or a peripheral access site;
(f) Responding to complications that arise in conjunction with dialysis care; and
(g) Performance of other acts as delegated by the registered nurse pursuant to 201 KAR 20:400.

(a) Dialysis care for a patient whose condition is determined by the registered nurse to be critical, fluctuating, unstable, or unpredictable;
(b) The connection and disconnection of patients from, and the site care and catheter port preparation of, percutaneously or surgically inserted central venous catheters; and
(c) The administration of blood and blood products.