What does it mean to have value?

Linguistically, a “valuable” item is one that is of great worth or importance. Unfortunately, just because something has great worth doesn’t mean it’s always regarded or treated that way.

As a dialysis tech, you may sympathize.

Your list of skills is long, from operating dialysis machines to understanding the intricacies of dialysis access care and cannulation, to navigating the complex world of interpersonal patient relationships. Humans are complicated, but as a tech, you don’t just coldly assess them and walk away. It’s often your job to be the medical liaison, bridging the gap between the clinical and human elements in the ever-shifting equation that defines patient care.

Much as has been said about medical “last lines of defense,” but what about the first line of defense? In any battle, someone has to hit the ground running, and that’s you. You are the first into the fight. You are the patient advocators, the ground troops who take the medical battlefield one mile, sometimes one inch at a time. Your sharp eyes notice anything that is, or might eventually become adverse so that you can make the nurse aware. You are even called upon to foster communication between doctors and patients.

So perhaps that’s the definition of worth: to be an indispensable person. The one who is called upon and relied upon and trusted, even if they are not lauded for it.

All positions in hemodialysis care are essential, from the nephrologist to the nurse to the technician, and we want to thank each of you, but at this moment, we applaud the unsung heroes of dialysis: the technician.

Thank you, technicians, for all that you do.

Thanks for reading,

               Transonic Systems, Inc

                        The Measure of Better Results