Becoming a dialysis technician can be a life-changing career in South Carolina.
This profession is growing.
Dialysis technicians work with other healthcare professionals, and they are responsible for operating and maintaining equipment used by kidney patients.
With this career, you can make a positive impact on someone’s life, and it also offers unlimited growth opportunities.
If you want to begin your journey to become a certified dialysis technician, there are certain measures you should take.
This post explains the requirements, training, education, and opportunities you should expect when you decide to become a dialysis technician in South Carolina.
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How to Become a Dialysis Technician in South Carolina: A Step-By-Step Approach
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control administers the training and certification requirements for dialysis technicians.
Although there are no special laws that outline the technician training requirements, all prospective candidates must fulfill the following steps.
Get a High School Diploma
First and foremost, one must have a high school diploma or GED, and one must be over 18 years old.
This is a basic requirement which you should never overlook.
Complete Training
The second step is to choose the right institution where you can complete an approved training program related to hemodialysis technology.
The program also offers comprehensive instruction in patient care, safety, and other healthcare aspects to ensure that technicians are equipped for dialysis operations.
Different institutions such as community colleges, vocational centers, technical colleges, or universities offer the required training for one to become a dialysis technician.
The training program usually takes between 12 and 24 months to complete in South Carolina depending on the institution you choose.
Obtain Clinical Experience
All students must gain clinical experience as part of the process of becoming a dialysis technician.
You can do this through an internship, or volunteering to work in a dialysis center.
Clinical work gives you the necessary hands-on experience to help you improve your knowledge and skills in the dialysis field.
Obtain Certification
All dialysis technicians intending to operate in South Carolina must obtain certification, so they can work in different healthcare settings.
Certification is done by certain organizations that are recognized nationally.
Candidates must first sit for a certification exam for hemodialysis technicians.
The exam is meant to ensure prospective technicians have gained the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
The certification exam is administered by the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT).
The other nationally recognized board that administers the certification examination is the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) certification offered by the National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO).
When you pass the exam, you will have displayed your competency to secure employment as a dialysis technician in South Carolina’s booming healthcare sector.
It is crucial to maintain your certification to increase the chances of developing your career.
Dialysis Technician Schools in South Carolina
Different schools offer training programs for dialysis technicians in South Carolina.
The following are some of the institutions you can consider to pursue a career to become a dialysis technician in South Carolina.
Medical University of South Carolina
The Medical University of South Carolina offers online training programs for dialysis technicians.
The program takes between four and six months to complete, and it costs $2100.
Upon completion of this program, you will have the opportunity to obtain recognized certification and pursue your dream career in the fast-growing healthcare industry.
Trident Technical College
Trident Technical College offers a blended course comprising online learning, classroom, and compulsory externship instruction.
The course has a combined 525 hours of instruction including 117 hours of theory education and 408 hours of clinical training.
If you enroll in this program, you will be able to write the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) exam administered by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC).
The course costs $2, 285.00.
University of South Carolina Aiken
The University of South Carolina Aiken offers an online Dialysis Technician Certification course that takes between four and six months to complete.
It costs $2, 100 and it allows the students to sit for nationally recognized certification exams.
Once you take the exam, you can look for the right job that suits your qualifications.
Greenville Tech
Greenville Tech offers a full Hemodialysis Technician Course that includes 90 hours of classroom instruction and 120 hours of clinical learning.
With hands-on experience, you will be able to improve your practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
A minimum of 6 credits costs $80.
Top 4 Schools in South Carolina
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Medical University of South Carolina | 268 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29425, United States |
| Trident Technical College | 7000 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29406, United States |
| University of South Carolina Aiken | 471 University Pkwy, Aiken, SC 29801, United States |
| Greenville Tech | 506 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, SC 29607, United States |
Salary For Dialysis Technician in South Carolina
A hemodialysis technician in South Carolina earns an average salary of $35,404.
Technicians in this industry usually earn between $ 32,293 and $39,525.
The salary scale for each individual is determined by factors such as experience, location, education, additional skills, and certifications.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dialysis Technicians in South Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $34,749 |
| Charleston | $35,611 |
| North Charleston | $35,611 |
| Greenville | $35,433 |
| Rock Hill | $36,911 |
| Mount Pleasant | $35,611 |
| Spartanburg | $35,246 |
| Sumter | $33,532 |
| Hilton Head Island | $35,009 |
| Florence | $33,802 |
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 980 | $59,030 | $28.38 | $80,020 | $38,370 |
| Columbia, SC | 960 | $53,720 | $25.83 | $75,940 | $33,220 |
| Florence, SC | 360 | $53,280 | $25.62 | $95,910 | $30,180 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 1,180 | $52,800 | $25.39 | $74,370 | $34,320 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 110 | $55,840 | $26.85 | $71,280 | $35,650 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 280 | $55,220 | $26.55 | $80,410 | $33,050 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 330 | $56,020 | $26.93 | $75,640 | $36,230 |
| Sumter, SC | 50 | $52,270 | $25.13 | $77,340 | $29,840 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Ready to Join the Healthcare Sector: Become a Dialysis Technician in South Carolina
One of the easiest methods to work in the healthcare sector in South Carolina without a degree is to become a dialysis technician.
This is a rewarding career that comes with an average salary of about $ 35,000 per year.
All you need to get started in this career path is a high school diploma or equivalent.
You also need to enroll in a training program, so that you become eligible to sit for a certification exam.
Once you obtain certification from a recognized institution in the US, you can start looking for your dream job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a license required to practice as a dialysis technician in South Carolina?
Dialysis technicians are not required to obtain operating licenses in South Carolina.
All you need is certification from a nationally recognized organization.
Make sure you constantly upgrade your certification to remain competent.
Which dialysis certification is appropriate in South Carolina?
The best dialysis certification in South Carolina is the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis (CCHT) offered by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission.
What do I need to become a dialysis technician in South Carolina?
All prospective dialysis technicians in South Carolina should have a GED or high school diploma.
You need to complete an approved training program in South Carolina to gain theoretical knowledge and clinical experience.
Training programs are offered by local colleges, community colleges, vocational institutions, or universities.
When you complete the program, you need to pass the certification exam from a nationally recognized institution.
