How to Become a Dialysis Technician in West Virginia

Many people believe that the healthcare industry consists of only nurses and doctors but what many do not realize is that what keeps the industry going is the endless contributions of all employees and workers, one of which is a dialysis technician.

These professionals make sure kidney patients are being taken care of and are not facing any further complications.

Although operating a dialysis machine doesn’t sound so fancy, it can help to save the lives of so many.

And, you can be the reason behind that.

If you stay in West Virginia and have dreams of working in the medical field but not exactly as a doctor or frontline worker, then being a dialysis technician might just be the right thing for you.

However, there are a few steps you need to follow and certain procedures to finish before you can become a dialysis technician in West Virginia.

After you are done reading this article, you will be familiar with what needs to be done to become a dialysis technician in the state of West Virginia.

Steps to Become a Dialysis Technician in West Virginia

The state of West Virginia does not have any strict impositions or rules when it comes to certification or licensure for becoming a dialysis technician.

That said, the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses is the body that looks after the training and certification requirements for becoming a dialysis technician in West Virginia.

You have to complete a training program and put in your certification application with a fee.

But, before all that, let us break down all the steps you have to follow.

Step 1: Get Your Education

First things first, a high school diploma or GED is a must because, without it, no employer would prefer to hire a candidate.

Plus, before you complete your high school education, you cannot go on to doing your formal training.

So, make sure to finish your high school diploma or equivalent because it is only after that, you can carry forward your other endeavors in this field.

After your high school diploma, the next thing in line is to get formally trained in dialysis machine operation.

Many schools in West Virginia teach you the basics of how to operate a dialysis machine, how to take care of kidney patients, the important principles of dialysis, infection control, and so on.

These schools also prepare you for the certification exams.

Step 2: Work Experience

After your education, the next thing you have to focus on is gaining relevant work experience, which helps to position yourself better in front of employers.

When you have work experience, it assures employers that you have the necessary skills and expertise to get the job done.

To get the experience you require, you can reach out to hospitals and clinics to see if they are hiring at the moment.

If not, look for internship programs that will provide you with the experience you are looking for.

You can also gain experience from the training program you enroll in since it acquaints you with a lot of practical knowledge.

Another thing to note is that you do not have to necessarily seek experience in dialysis operation.

You can work just about anywhere in the medical field and it will count as experience.

You can work as a medical assistant or some other technician role to polish up your resume more.

Step 3: Get Certification

The most obvious thing to do after that is to get certified which will most certainly help you with your career prospects.

Many organizations offer certifications for dialysis technology.

Some of those organizations are:

• The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC), for which you have to sit for the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) Exam.
• The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT), for which you have to sit for the Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) Exam.
• The National Nephrology Certification Organization, Inc. (NNCO), for which you have to take two exams namely, the Certified in Clinical Nephrology Technology (CCNT) Exam and the Certified in Biomedical Nephrology Technology (CBNT) Exam.

You have to sit for a recertification exam every four years and pass it.

Plus, you have to take continuing education every two years to continue holding your certification.

Once you have your certification, it will give you more opportunities and you will be able to land a more prospective job.

Dialysis Technician Schools in West Virginia

As mentioned before, you have to get formal training in dialysis operations before you can get into this field.

There are a few schools in West Virginia that offer training programs in dialysis technology and can push you one step further toward finding the right job.

Let us take a look at what options you have in West Virginia.

Blue Ridge Community College

This college prepares its students to take care of patients with serious renal issues and trains them to work as dialysis technicians in renal dialysis facilities, hospitals, and clinics after successful completion of the course.

After you finish this course, you will be able to take the Clinical Hemodialysis Technician exam.

Auburn University

Auburn University has an online training program which costs $3,000.

The best part is that you have the opportunity for self-paced learning and can get access to learning modules and career resources.

Dialysis Technician Salary in West Virginia

After you are done with your training and acquiring the certification, the next step is to get a job that pays well.

It depends on your level of experience, the particular region you are working in, and the setting you are working in.

The average salary of dialysis technicians in West Virginia is $46,000.

Regional Salary in West Virginia