Kentucky Administrative Regulations
Title 201 - GENERAL GOVERNMENT CABINET
Chapter 20 - Board of Nursing
Section 201 KAR 20:478 - Dialysis technician scope of practice, discipline, and miscellaneous requirements

Universal Citation: 201 KY Admin Regs Service 20:478

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 3, September 1, 2024

RELATES TO: KRS 314.021, 314.035, 314.089, 314.091, 314.103, 314.137, 314.991

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 314.137 requires the board to promulgate administrative regulations to regulate dialysis technicians and includes establishing provisions for discipline and further regulating as necessary. This administrative regulation establishes the scope of practice and disciplinary procedures for dialysis technicians.

Section 1. 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, an advanced practice registered nurse, a physician, or a physician's assistant:
(a) Preparation and cannulation of peripheral access sites (arterial-venous fistulas and arterial-venous grafts);

(b) Preparation of catheter ports, access, including connection and disconnection, and site care of percutaneously or surgically inserted central venous catheters, if the dialysis technician has six (6) months experience that includes training and skills validation regarding central venous catheters;

(c) Initiating, delivering, or discontinuing dialysis care;

(d) 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 practice registered nurse. 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;

(e) Assistance to the registered nurse in data collection;

(f) Obtaining a blood specimen via a dialysis line or a peripheral access site;

(g) Responding to complications that arise in conjunction with dialysis care; and

(h) Performance of other acts as delegated by the registered nurse pursuant to 201 KAR 20:400.

(2) The scope of practice of a dialysis technician shall not include:
(a) Dialysis care for a patient whose condition is found by the registered nurse to be critical, fluctuating, unstable, or unpredictable;

(b) The preparation of catheter ports, access, including connection and disconnection, and site care of percutaneously or surgically inserted central venous catheters, except as authorized in Section 1(1)(b) of this administrative regulation; and

(c) The administration of blood and blood products.

Section 2. Discipline of a Dialysis Technician.

(1) The board may discipline a dialysis technician (DT) or a dialysis technician applicant (DTA) for:
(a) Failure to safely and competently perform the duties of a DT or DTA as established in this administrative regulation;

(b) Practicing beyond the scope of practice as established in this administrative regulation;

(c) Conviction of any felony, or a misdemeanor involving drugs, alcohol, fraud, deceit, falsification of records, a breach of trust, physical harm or endangerment to others, or dishonesty under the laws of any state or of the United States. The record of conviction or a copy thereof, certified by the clerk of the court or by the judge who presided over the conviction, shall be conclusive evidence;

(d) Obtaining or attempting to obtain a credential by fraud or deceit;

(e) Abusing controlled substances, prescription medications, or alcohol;

(f) Use, or impairment as a consequence of use, of alcohol or drugs while on duty as a dialysis technician, dialysis technician trainee, or dialysis technician applicant;

(g) Possession or use of a Schedule I controlled substance;

(h) Personal misuse or misappropriation for use of others of any drug placed in the custody of the DT or DTA for administration;

(i) Falsifying or in a negligent manner making incorrect entries or failing to make essential entries on essential records;

(j) Having a dialysis technician credential disciplined by another jurisdiction on grounds sufficient to cause a credential to be disciplined in this Commonwealth;

(k) Practicing without filing an Application for Dialysis Technician Credential, as incorporated by reference in 201 KAR 20:476, or without holding a dialysis technician credential;

(l) Abuse of a patient;

(m) Theft of facility or patient property;

(n) Having disciplinary action on a professional or business license;

(o) Violating any lawful order or directive previously entered by the board;

(p) Violating any applicable requirement of KRS Chapter 314 or 201 KAR Chapter 20;

(q) Having been listed on the nurse aide abuse registry with a substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property; or

(r) Having violated the confidentiality of information or knowledge concerning any patient, except as authorized or required by law.

(2) The discipline may include the following:
(a) Immediate temporary suspension of the credential, following the procedure established in KRS 314.089;

(b) Reprimand of the credential;

(c) Probation of the credential for a specified period of time, with or without limitations and conditions;

(d) Suspension of the credential for a specified period of time;

(e) Permanent revocation of the credential; or

(f) Denying the Application for Dialysis Technician Credential, as incorporated by reference in 201 KAR 20:476.

(3) The board shall follow the procedures established in and have the authority established in KRS 314.091, 201 KAR 20:161, and 201 KAR 20:162 for management and resolution of complaints filed against a dialysis technician.

(4) In addition to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, the board may impose a civil penalty of up to $10,000.

Section 3. Miscellaneous Requirements.

(1) A person credentialed by the board as a dialysis technician shall maintain a current mailing address and email address with the board and immediately notify the board in writing of a change of mailing address or email address.

(2)
(a) Holding a credential shall constitute consent by the dialysis technician to service of notices or orders of the board. Notices and orders shall be sent to the mailing address on file with the board.

(b) Any notice or order of the board mailed or delivered to the mailing address on file with the board shall constitute valid service of the notice or order.

(3) A dialysis technician credentialed by the board shall, within ninety (90) days of entry of the final judgment, notify the board in writing of any misdemeanor or felony conviction in this or any other jurisdiction.

(4) A dialysis technician credentialed by the board shall, within ninety (90) days of entry of a sanction specified in this subsection, notify the board in writing if any professional or business license that is issued to the person by any agency of the commonwealth or any other jurisdiction:
(a) Is surrendered or terminated under threat of disciplinary action;

(b) Is refused, limited, suspended, or revoked; or

(c) If renewal is denied.

(5) If the board has reasonable cause to believe that any DT or DTA is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety or has abused alcohol or drugs, it shall require the person to submit to a substance use disorder evaluation or a mental or physical examination by a board approved practitioner.
(a) Holding a credential shall constitute:
1. Consent by the dialysis technician to a substance use disorder evaluation, mental examination, or physical examination if directed in writing by the board. The direction to submit to an evaluation or examination shall contain the basis for the board's concern that the technician is unable to practice safely and effectively; and

2. Waiver of objections to the admissibility of the examining practitioner's testimony or examination reports on the grounds of privileged communication.

(b) The dialysis technician shall bear the cost of substance use disorder evaluation, mental examination, or physical examination ordered by the board.

(c) Upon failure of the dialysis technician to submit to a substance use disorder evaluation, mental examination, or physical examination ordered by the board the board may initiate an action for immediate temporary suspension pursuant to KRS 314.089 or deny an application until the person submits to the required examination.

(d) If a substance use disorder evaluation, mental examination, or physical examination pursuant to this subsection results in a finding that indicates that the dialysis technician is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety or has abused alcohol or drugs, the dialysis technician shall be subject to disciplinary procedures as established in this administrative regulation.

(6) Due process procedures, including appeal, pertaining to this administrative regulation shall be conducted in accordance with KRS Chapter 13B.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 314.131(1), 314.137

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