Virginia Law

This chapter shall not preclude or affect the ability of unregulated persons to perform services relating to the technical elements of dialysis, such as equipment maintenance and preparation of dialyzers for reuse by the same patient.

2003, c. 995.

"Dialysis patient care technician" or "dialysis care technician" means a person who has obtained certification from an organization approved by the Board of Health Professions to provide, under the supervision of a licensed practitioner of medicine or a registered nurse, direct care to patients undergoing renal dialysis treatments in a Medicare-certified renal dialysis facility. Such direct care may include, but need not be limited to, the administration of heparin, topical needle site anesthetics, dialysis solutions, sterile normal saline solution, and blood volumizers in accordance with the order of a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant. However, a person who has completed a training program in dialysis patient care may engage in provisional practice to obtain practical experience in providing direct patient care under direct and immediate supervision in accordance with § 54.1-3408, until he has taken and received the results of any examination required by a certifying organization approved by the Board or for 24 months from the date of initial practice, whichever occurs sooner.

2003, c. 995; 2006, c. 75.

A. No person shall hold himself out to be or advertise or permit to be advertised that he is a dialysis patient care technician or dialysis care technician as defined in this chapter unless such person has obtained certification from an organization approved by the Board of Health Professions as examining candidates for appropriate competency or technical proficiency to perform as dialysis patient care technicians or dialysis care technicians.

B. The title restrictions provided by this section shall apply to the use of the terms "dialysis patient care technician" and "dialysis care technician" or any other term or combination of terms used alone or in combination with the terms "licensed," "certified," or "registered," as such terms also imply a minimum level of education, training, and competence. A person who is authorized for provisional practice to provide direct patient care while obtaining practical experience shall be identified as a "trainee" while working in a renal dialysis facility.

C. The Board of Health Professions may require such continuing competency training as it may deem necessary for dialysis patient care technicians or dialysis care technicians.

D. Any person who willfully violates the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

2003, c. 995; 2006, c. 75.