How to Become a Dialysis Technician in Alaska

Dialysis technicians play an essential role in the overall care and treatment of dialysis patients.

Working under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or physician, a dialysis technician assists the doctor and patient throughout the treatment process.

They monitor the patient’s vitals, maintain a safe and relaxing environment for the patient, and ensure the dialysis machine (and other equipment) is working properly.

How to Become a Dialysis Technician in Alaska: Step-by-Step

Alaska’s healthcare system is divided into three sectors – the private sector, the military sector, and the Alaskan Tribal Health System.

Dialysis technicians work under the jurisdiction of the private sector – which accounts for two-thirds of the Alaskan population (much lower than in other parts of the country).

While Alaska doesn’t require dialysis technicians to be licensed or certified by the state, they do require aspiring dialysis technicians to follow the requirements established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – which requires a national certification within 18 months of employment.

Don’t worry – becoming a dialysis technician is a straightforward process that anyone passionate about helping others (especially patients with kidney disease or kidney failure) can achieve.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this field, we will take you through the process step-by-step.

Earn a High School Diploma or GED

The first step to becoming a dialysis technician is finishing high school and earning your high school diploma – this is a requirement listed in the CMS regulations 494.140 (e)(1-4).

It doesn’t matter when you graduated high school (it could be a few months ago or 10 years ago), it just matters that you graduated.

Most high school students who go on to have successful careers in the patient care technician field show a strong interest in the following high school subjects: science, math, biology, anatomy, physics, calculus, chemistry, and psychology.

You must also have a passion for helping others through dialysis treatment.

Don’t panic if you’ve never finished high school – you can still become a dialysis technician by passing the GED exam in Alaska.

The exam tests you on four subjects (Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies) and only costs $144 ($36 per subject) – anyone over 18 can sign up without parental permission.

Earn a Postsecondary Certificate of Completion

High school gives you all the basic skills and knowledge needed to enroll in a postsecondary DT training program.

These programs are usually offered by colleges, universities, institutes, health clinics, and other accredited organizations – some of which are available online, some of which are available in person.

If you’re interested in learning the ins and outs of being a dialysis technician, consider one of the following certificate training programs:

• Greenways Academy of Alaska
• CareerStep
• Tyler Junior College

Dialysis technicians have several routes they can take when entering the field.

If you learn better on your own and in the comfort of your own home, then completing your training online is perfect for you.

Then again, you can also learn the industry through a mix of in-person learning and hands-on experience.

Apply for Jobs and Enter the Workforce

Have you completed your post-secondary training program and received your certificate of completion?

If so, we’ve got some good news for you – you’re ready to work as a dialysis technician!

You’ll have to work under a licensed and registered nurse or physician, but it’s time to start looking for a job!

Here are some of the most prominent establishments in need of dialysis technicians in Alaska:

• S. Renal Care – Anchorage, AK
• Fresenius Kidney Care – Fairbanks, AK
• Fresenius Kidney Care – Juneau, AK
• Alaska Regional Hospital – Anchorage, AK
• Providence Alaska Medical Center – Anchorage, AK
• Alaska Native Medical Center – Anchorage, AK
• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital – Fairbanks, AK
• Mat-Su Regional Medical Center – Palmer, AK

Many people choose to go the internship or externship route – that way, they can earn the hands-on experience they need while training.

Once you find a job, you’ll be able to put your skills and knowledge to the test – everything you’ve worked so hard to obtain over the past year is finally coming to fruition.

Apply for a National Certification Within 18 Months

While aspiring dialysis technicians don’t need to be certified to begin work in the field, they do need to obtain a national certification within 18 months of gaining employment if they want to continue working as a dialysis technician beyond that.

Don’t worry – there are a lot of benefits that come with a certification.

The three most prominent options when getting certified as a dialysis technician are:

• Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) – you must pass the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) Exam, which consists of 150 questions in 3 hours.
• Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT) – you must pass the Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) Exam, which consists of 150 questions in 3 hours.
• National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) – you must pass a 60-question exam in 90 minutes or less with a passing score of at least 70%.

A national certification won’t last forever.

For example, dialysis technicians who earn certification through NNCC must recertify every three years, while those who go through BONENT must recertify every four years.

There are also annual fees that must be paid – for example, it’s $60 per year for BONENT.

Dialysis Technician Schools in Alaska

Are you a high school graduate – or do you have a high school-equivalent diploma?

Are you interested in pursuing a career as a dialysis technician?

If you answered ‘yes’ to either of those questions, then you’re about to make the greatest decision of your life – you’re about to enter a stable and rewarding career.

As discussed above, the next step after high school (or GED) is enrolling in a postsecondary training program.

These programs take 6-12 months to complete, but give you all the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field.

They also prepare you to take and pass the national certification exam.

Here are some of your best options:

Greenways Academy of Alaska

Location: Remote (Online)

Program: Hemodialysis Technician

Course Length: 12 months

Tuition: $3,595

The Greenways Academy of Alaska offers a 205-hour course that must be completed within 12 months – though most people finish much sooner.

It allows students the opportunity to take part in a Clinical Experience and prepares them to take and pass the national certification exam provided by BONENT.

Tyler Junior College

Location: Remote (Online)

Program: Dialysis Technician Online Certification Program

Course Length: 4-6 months

Tuition: $999

Tyler Junior College is located in Tyler, Texas, but the course is done online – so you can enroll from anywhere.

It includes interactive learning modules to ensure students are given a suitable learning environment.

The course prepares you to take and pass the BONENT, NNCC, or NWCA certification exam.

CareerStep

Location: Remote (Online)

Program: Online Hemodialysis Technician Training

Course Length: 12 months

Tuition: $4,199 for full program access

CareerStep offers a BONENT-approved, online hemodialysis technician training program that helps prepare you for the national certification exam.

Students have access to hands-on opportunities and clinical experiences.

Those who finish the program receive one free certification exam voucher.

Dialysis Technician Salary in Alaska

Certified hemodialysis technicians earn an average salary of $37,500 (between $34,204 and $41,865) in the United States.

That average salary increases to $40,912 (between $37,317 and $45,675) for those living in Alaska – making it one of the best places to become a dialysis technician in the US.

You can maximize your earning potential by taking and passing the national certification exam.

Regional Salary in Alaska