Dialysis Technician – Saving Lives of Kidney Patients!

In kidney failure, patients are unable to remove waste and excess fluids from their body. For them, it becomes necessary to go through dialysis procedure in every few days. In this procedure, healthcare professionals clean blood of patients with required equipment. This is where, the importance of dialysis technician increases since they are trained and expert in handling hemodialysis machine. These healthcare professionals play an important role in the life of patients suffering from kidney diseases.

For entering this profession, one needs to start from dialysis technician training in NYC or any other city.

Training – In training, one can learn about human anatomy, physiology, kidney diseases, dialysis procedure, hemodialysis machine, body fluids, water etc. One will also learn about infection in body and health precautions. For performing blood-cleaning procedure, it is necessary for hemodialysis professionals to understand every detail of this blood cleaning procedure, machine, and diseases.

Education – Most healthcare centers requires at least high school degree or its equivalent. GED is also included in education requirements.

Certificate – Certification exam depends on the state’s rules. In many states, certification exam is necessary while in some others it is not necessary. For exam, one needs to check their state’s rules, preferences, and laws. However, agencies like the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) and Board of Nephrology Examiners - Nursing - Technology (BONENT) conduct certification exams.

Job – Dialysis technicians can get a job in hospitals, transplant centers, physician’s offices and other healthcare facilities with a dialysis unit. Some patients are unable to stay in hospitals or nursing homes. In these cases, hemodialysis professionals also work in people’s private homes.

Work – Main work of these professionals is to handle hemodialysis machine. They conduct dialysis on kidney patients to remove wastes and excess fluids. They also take vital signs like temperature or weight before and after the blood cleaning procedure. They keep a sharp eye on patient’s health. Sterilizing equipment for next use is also a part of their work.

Work hours – Hemodialysis professionals usually work for at least 40 hours per week. Most of them for regular hours, however, many of them also work for part time. Other than working in healthcare centers, they also work in private homes. Weekends and evenings are also on their schedule.

Salary – Annual salary of hemodialysis technicians can be between 25,000 to 55,000 US dollars. Wages are decided according to a professional’s training, education, experience, and skills. It also depends on the healthcare center. Those with less or no experience may earn less while experience technicians can earn a lot more.

Skills – In this profession, one needs good communication, technical skills, patience etc. They must pay attention to small details.