How to Become a Dialysis Technician in Arkansas

Did you know more than 37 million Americans have kidney disease?

Of those 37 million people, 800,000 are living with kidney failure – all of whom require dialysis treatment to survive.

That’s where dialysis technicians come in to save the day.

They monitor a patient’s vitals during treatment, ensure the dialysis machine works properly, and assist in making the patient feel safe and relaxed.

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

Before you can pursue a career as a dialysis technician, you must first understand the different rules and regulations involved in the process.

For those living in Arkansas, becoming a dialysis technician isn’t as straightforward as in other states in the US, but don’t worry – we’re going to break it all down for you.

Unlike most states, dialysis technicians in Arkansas need to become certified in the field before they can start working.

This is mandated by the Arkansas Department of Public Health, which oversees end-stage renal dialysis facilities and establishes rules for perfusionists – a category that includes dialysis techs.

Arkansas residents who want to pursue a career as a dialysis technician will also need to follow the CMS regulations 494.140 (e)(1-4) – which are enforced at the national level.

These rules state that all aspiring dialysis technicians must have a high school diploma, complete a training program, and become certified.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to become a dialysis technician in Arkansas:

Finish High School or Pass the GED Exam

Do you have a high school diploma?

If so, then you’re already well on your way to becoming a dialysis technician in Arkansas – it’s the first requirement!

If you had any interest in math, science, biology, anatomy, physics, calculus, physiology, or psychology, then you’d make the perfect dialysis technician.

Don’t have a diploma?

That’s okay!

Arkansas requires aspiring dialysis technicians to either have a high school diploma or a high school-equivalent diploma.

All you need to do is take and pass the GED exam, which costs $144, can be done online, and tests you on math, science, social studies, and language arts.

Earn a Postsecondary Certificate of Completion

Once you have a high school diploma (or pass the GED exam), you can finally start getting your feet wet in the medical field.

CMS regulations 494.140 (e)(1-4) state that all aspiring dialysis technicians must complete a postsecondary training program – which takes anywhere from 6 to 12 months to complete.

When you’re ready to begin your training, consider enrolling in one of the following programs:

• University of Arkansas
• DaVita
• Fresenius Medical Care
• CareerStep

While high school gives you the basic skills needed to begin training in the medical field, a postsecondary training program gives you the skills required to become certified in the field and begin work as a dialysis technician.

It’s your first real taste of what the rest of your life will look like – it’s an exciting time for you!

Earn a National Certification

Most states don’t require aspiring dialysis technicians to become certified before starting work in the field and the CMS regulations 494.140 (e)(1-4) only require it after 18 months of working in the field.

Things work a little differently in Arkansas, where most dialysis technicians have to be certified before working.

Don’t worry, there are three primary options to consider when getting certified at the national level:

• The Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) Exam is administered by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC).
• The Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) Exam is administered by the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT).
• The Certified Dialysis Technician Associate Exam is administered by the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA).

The CCHT and CHT exams are 150 questions long – applicants have three hours to finish them and must have at least 70% to pass.

The NWCA exam is only 60 questions long, and applicants have 90 minutes to finish it.

We recommend going with the BONENT or NNCC exams, as they are the gold standard.

Enter the Workforce and Put Your Skills to the Test

Now that you’ve earned your high school diploma, certificate of completion, and national certification, you’re finally ready to enter the workforce and put your skills to the test.

You can find jobs on Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, and Google, but don’t forget about the traditional method – applying in person.

Here are some of the best places to get a job as a dialysis technician in Arkansas:

• DaVita
• Fresenius Kidney Care
• Washington Regional Medical System
• Fort Smith Regional Dialysis Center
• Arkansas Children’s Hospital
• Baptist Health Medical Center
• Bernards Medical Center
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Medical Center

Most dialysis technicians work in hospitals, medical centers, health clinics, and dialysis centers – if they treat patients with kidney disease or kidney failure, chances are they’re looking for dialysis technicians.

Dialysis Technician Schools in Arkansas

Before aspiring dialysis technicians can take the national certification exam, they must first complete a postsecondary training program to ensure they have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field.

Don’t worry – these training programs only take 6-12 months and are located throughout the state.

If you’re planning on pursuing a career as a dialysis technician in Arkansas, here are some of the most prominent training programs to consider:

University of Arkansas

Location: Remote (Online)

Program: Dialysis Technician

Course Length: 6 months (350 hours)

Tuition: $1,299

The University of Arkansas offers a 350-hour, 6-month dialysis technician program that allows students to learn at their own pace while they learn the knowledge and skills necessary to advance in the field.

The entire program is done online, but it sets individuals up to take and pass the national certification exam.

Davita

Location: multiple locations

Program: Patient Care Tech

Course Length: n/a

Tuition: Paid training

Davita is one of the leading kidney care clinics in the United States.

They have more than 40 locations in Arkansas alone and offer a paid training program that not only gives you the knowledge and skills needed to become a dialysis technician, but does so in a clinical setting inside one of their dialysis clinics.

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, TX, but its dialysis technician certification program is available online.

It features engaging labs, quality instructor-to-student collaboration, animated simulations, and interactive learning modules to ensure students retain the information being thrown at them daily.

CareerStep

Location: Remote (Online)

Program: Online Hemodialysis Technician Training

Course Length: 12 months

Tuition: $4,199 for full program access

CareerStep offers an online hemodialysis technician training program that gives students 12 months of full access – though most students finish well before that.

Those who complete the program receive one voucher to take the national certification. If it’s too expensive for you, they have payment plans available.

Dialysis Technician Salary in Arkansas

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

Unfortunately, that salary tends to dip for dialysis technicians in Arkansas – they make an average of $34,173 (between $31,170 and $38,152).

Don’t worry – you can maximize your earning potential in this field with continuing education and getting extra certifications.

Regional Salary in Arkansas