Quite often during cardiac procedures (especially on renal patients) we assist the perfusion team by performing hemodialysis. There is no nurse present. We connect our system to the perfusionist's system. Obviously we wouldn't do it if it wasn't allowed, but I think everyone has to realize that hemodialysis isn't (to the best of my knowledge) a Nursing Delegated Act. Meaning that only Nurses can perform hemodialysis. If it was, we couldn't have selfcare units, home patients etc. Are we stuck back in time, I don't think so. Who knows the ins and outs of the machine better than anyone else? Who do nurses call when they have alarms they can't clear? We are in a setting that others are caring for the patient and controlling most parameters, we simply are performing a procedure plus there isn't a lot of room in the OR anyway.
Until recently, the techs where I work had to stay for the entire duration of any acute in a critical care area or treatment performed during shutdown times. The question was brought up why was it needed that we (techs)stay?
My response was not why do we stay but rather why was the nurse required to stay? I asked this only because in a critical care setting the patient is fully monitored and quite often is connected via femoral catheter or central line. The physician can connect the system and in my mind the Tech could if trained properly, run the procedure. An ICU or Critical Care Nurse is already assigned to monitor the patient if things go wrong. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to run-up, prime and perform a dialysis procedure. It's understanding what goes on and why, that's the secret. Don't misunderstand me, I think the team of a Nurse and a Tech is the best for any patient in an acute setting, but if one wasn't needed over the other due to costs, I might choose the Nurse in some cases. The Tech should be more than capable in running the machine, they often understand pressures and flows better, and the patient already as stated earlier has a critical care nurse assigned to them.

What your role is again depends on the philosophy of the unit you work in. Personally, I feel if opportunity presents itself grab it!!