In addition to the satisfactory completion of the required training program and written examination, the dialysis technician trainee, each dialysis technician newly employed, and each dialysis technician at least annually, shall be required to demonstrate satisfactory clinical patient care performance through a skills competency evaluation.
1. A licensed nurse who qualifies as an instructor in these rules shall administer to each trainee or technician an assessment of skills through a skills competency checklist which covers at least the following acts:
(i) Assembling necessary supplies for hemodialysis;
(ii) Preparing dialysate according to procedures and dialysis prescription;
(iii) Assembling and preparing the dialysis extracorporeal circuit correctly;
(iv) Securing the correct dialyzer for the specific patient;
(v) Installing and rinsing the dialyzer and all necessary tubing;
(vi) Testing monitors and alarms, conductivity, and (if applicable) presence and absence of residual sterilants;
(vii) Setting monitors and alarms according to facility and manufacturer protocols;
(viii) Obtaining predialysis vital signs, weight, and temperature according to facility protocol and informing the registered nurse of unusual findings;
(ix) Inspecting access for patency and, after cannulation is performed and heparin administered, initiating dialysis according to the patient's prescription, observing universal precautions, and reporting unusual findings to a licensed nurse;
(x) Adjusting blood flow rates according to established protocols and the patient's prescription;
(xi) Calculating and setting the dialysis machine to allow fluid removal rates according to established protocols and the patient's prescription;
(xii) Monitoring the patient and equipment during treatment, responding appropriately to patient needs and machine alarms, and reporting unusual occurrences to a licensed nurse;
(xiii) Monitoring patient blood pressure and taking appropriate actions related to blood pressure according to facility protocol;
(xiv) Documenting findings and actions according to facility protocol;
(xv) Describing indicators and appropriate response to dialysis-related emergencies such as cardiac or respiratory arrest, needle displacement, or infiltration, clotting, blood leaks, or air emboli and to nonmedical emergencies such as power outages or equipment failure;
(xvi) Discontinuing dialysis and establishing hemostatis, to include at least:
(I) Inspecting, cleaning, and dressing the access site according to facility protocol; and
(II) Identifying and reporting unusual findings to a licensed nurse.
(xvii) Obtaining and recording post-dialysis vital signs, temperature, and weight and reporting unusual findings to a licensed nurse;
(xviii) Discarding supplies and sanitizing equipment and treatment chair according to facility protocol;
(xix) Communicating the patient's emotional, medical, psychological, and nutritional concerns to a licensed nurse;
(xx) Maintaining professional conduct, good communication skills, and attention to privacy and confidentiality during the care of the patient;
(xxi) For the dialysis technician trainee who will be assisting with training or treatment of peritoneal dialysis patients:
(I) Assisting patients in ordering supplies for dialysis;
(II) Making a dialysate exchange (draining and refilling the peritoneal space with dialysate) to include continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis exchange procedures and initiation or discontinuation of continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis;
(III) Observing peritoneal effluent and identifying significant factors;
(IV) Collecting dialysate specimen;
(V) Performing a transfer tubing change; and
(VI) Setting up and operating continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis equipment.
(xxii) For the dialysis technician trainee who will be cannulating dialysis access, the performance of cannulation, to include:
(I) Inspecting the site for access;
(II) Preparing the skin;
(III) Using aseptic technique;
(IV) Placing and securing needles correctly;
(V) Establishing blood access;
(VI) Replacing needles; and
(VII) Recognizing problems and the need to call for assistance; and
(xxiii) For the licensed practical nurse functioning as a dialysis technician, the skills competency checklist shall include, in addition to the above, the protocols for administering medications and intravenous fluids, including but not limited to normal saline, heparin and subcutaneous lidocaine, during the dialysis treatment.
2. For any items failed during the administration of the skills competency checklist, the facility shall document additional training for the trainee or technician in the area(s) of failure, and the trainee or technician shall not be permitted to provide patient care without direct supervision until all checklist items have been demonstrated satisfactorily.