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.

Dialysis technician - A promising medical career choice!

Earlier medical establishments used to conduct training for dialysis technicians within premises, but this trend is quickly losing its popularity now. Today most of the employers prefer candidates who have already been through a professional training program.

These training programs and courses are provided by medical institutes, vocational colleges, etc. Students are taught about handling and using dialysis equipment and the right way of taking care of patients who are going through treatment.

After going through dialysis technician training, candidates become eligible to work for dialysis facilities, ambulatory services, nursing homes, and long-term care units. These professionals are also known as renal dialysis or hemodialysis technicians.

These techs work with patients who are going through permanent or temporary kidney failure. They operate the machinery to remove waste material form patients’ blood. They are the ones who prepare patients for this medical procedure; monitor their treatment, and check their vital signs.

They have to set up, clean and maintain equipment involved in the procedure of dialysis. They have to create, and maintain patients’ medical records as well.

A training program meant for this medical occupation would prepare the students for employment at entry level in medical units specializing in the procedure of dialysis. Students get to learn about how to operate machinery, respond to the social and psychological issues of patients and provide right medical care.

As a part of the coursework included in the training, students have to learn medical terms, and study subjects related to physiology, anatomy, psychology, blood chemistry, renal functions, lab procedure, practicum, and principles of renal dialysis. All the states in the US demand certification such as proof of training before employing a candidate. Some states even demand candidates to go through written examination.

Typically, a patient who is getting this medical treatment is required to get dialysis done at least three times every week. Every procedure lasts for about 3 to 4 hours. The other type of treatment involves eight hours of treatment, conducted three times a week, while patient is sleeping. A dialysis technician may have to perform multiple treatments at a time. They generally have to work twelve hours in a shift, often involving night shifts.

As the medical industry is continue to grow, the employment rate for this occupation is only likely to increase in future. Lucrative wages are paid to dialysis technicians, especially those working in large metropolitan areas. The career outlook for this medical profession is bright and promising.

Highlights of dialysis technician job profile

Professionals with dialysis technician job profile perform number of duties, from operating dialysis machine, to monitor readings, to acting as a caregiver for a patient undergoing dialysis procedure. When it comes to choose this medical stream as a career, number of questions come to mind.

This article covers the most frequently asked questions related to this job profile.

Is dialysis technician career for you?
When it is a question of future, individuals choose to go with a career that provides them with good salary and job security.

In terms of salaries, hemodialysis or renal dialysis technicians enjoy competitive salaries. Some additional factors, such as the size and location (whether it is situated in rural or urban area) of health facility, might increase or decrease your salary.

In terms of job security, healthcare is among the most reliable industries that provides secure career options. If you are looking to choose this career, you can expect stability in this stream.
To secure you career as a dialysis technician, a candidate needs to undergo dialysis technician training provided by accredited school or college in NYC.

What will you learn in training?
In regards to education and training required to become renal tech, a student needs to complete certification from any accredited technical school, community college, or medical institute that provides training in this medical field. This training program is designed to complete in one year of full-time study.  Upon the course completion, students will be issued a certificate that show their complete knowledge and skills to employers. This way, certification helps to create a competitive-edge over other applicants.

The core curriculum of this training program includes renal anatomy and physiology, nutrition management, pathology of chronic renal failure, dialysis principles, acute renal failure, procedures and complications associated with hemodialysis, medications and drugs, medical equipment used in dialysis etc. Students complete coursework through classroom lectures and practices in laboratories.

Training teaches students to perform all job-profile related duties efficiently. Training improve students’ skills in various areas including patient’s preparation for treatment, monitoring of vital signs like blood pressure before treatment, recording and preparing reports, administering  local anesthesia and performing venipuncture, and more.

Upon course completion, student becomes eligible to apply in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other medical facilities that have dialysis units.