Anything we do in today’s world, needs proper training or practice. Nothing we want to pursue is really easy to be recognized. If you want to set your career as an efficient, recognized dialysis technician, the first step is to get a documented training.
So, why do we need training? Every industry has their individual pattern of work and ethics, a training preps you up to take on the actual workload when you have to.
A dialysis technician’s primary goal is to make candidates ready for employment in various medical organizations, such as hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers, etc.
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Who can be a Dialysis Technician?
Do you want to help patients suffering from chronic kidney failure and terminal-stage renal ailments? Then, you can think about making your career as a dialysis technician.
If you want to help others lead a healthier and happier life, then opting for a career as a dialysis technician can fulfill your dream.
Some requirements must also be fulfilled to pursue a career. Achieving a dialysis technician certification from a reputed credentialing agency prepares individuals with updated knowledge and in-demand skill sets.
Such credentials include CHT, CCHT, or CHBT, where:
CHT stands for Certified Hemodialysis Technician/Technologist
CCHT stands for Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician/Technologist
CHBT stands for Certified Hemodialysis Bio-Medical Technician/Technologist
After completing an accredited and acknowledged dialysis technician program, candidates become eligible to pursue a certification examination to display their knowledge.
Different states may also have different standards for certification. It comprises professional registration as well as licensing requirements. Therefore, these requirements (additional requirements can also be there) need to be fulfilled to be a component dialysis technician.
Essential Requirements before Starting Dialysis Technician Training
Some prerequisites are there before beginning a dialysis technician training program:
Candidates must complete an HS diploma or GED to get enrolled in a dialysis technician program, such as local anesthesia administration, venipuncture, keeping track of critical signs, making patients ready for dialysis, and identifying the warning signs related to complications.
A dialysis technician program includes equal durations in classrooms, clinics as well as laboratories.
Step by Step Guide to Complete a Dialysis Technician Training
Enroll in A Program
First, aspirants need to enroll in a training program to start their dialysis technician journey. Many offline, online, and hybrid programs are available, and candidates can opt for one, according to the prerequisites and convenience. Candidates can contact their local community institutes.
Specific dialysis technician programs may require one-year to complete while some others can need two years. Dialysis technician training programs cover the following areas along with others:
- Introduction to Dialysis Treatment
- Patient Care Technician
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Nephrology
- Medical Terminology
- Dialysis Technology
Most dialysis technician training programs call for labs as well as an internship before graduation. For online training, you would need to do internships as well as in-person labs to get graduated.
Get Licensed
Becoming a dialysis technician and starting the career need candidates to get licensed. Note that different states have different requirements in this regard. However, most of these requirements need candidates to clear an exam before starting as a dialysis technician.
In some states, dialysis technicians must get certified by the National Nephrology Certification Organization. On the other hand, some other states need them to get certified by the Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology Board.
Other states may need candidates to get certified by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission. Therefore, it is the job of the candidates to discover the specific requirements according to their states. Fulfilling the conditions would make them licensed dialysis technicians.
Moreover, it is mandatory to complete a minimum of a one-year education program to fulfill the above licenses’ candidature.
Gain Experience
Getting licensed makes candidates start working as a dialysis technician in the respective states they have got licensed in. Many places are there to start working as a dialysis technician. It includes outpatient care centers, home dialysis companies, universities, and hospitals’ dialysis departments.
Finding out a dialysis technician job would be easier for candidates with hands-on knowledge and laboratory time. It is then a must to gain approx. one to two tears of working experience in a licensed clinic. Otherwise, you can also work under the guidance of a licensed doctor.
You may also gain experience in some other segment of the hospital. Some relevant careers of a dialysis technician include ultrasound technician, patient career technician, and surgical technologist.
Keep upgrading your education and hands-on practice as a dialysis technician, and you can expect promotions as well as raises in your career.
Achieve Certification
Have you already worked as a dialysis technician for a few years? Yes? Now, you can start thinking about achieving a certification. Earning certifications help professionals to display their competence and credibility in the field.
Different states have different requirements for the candidature of dialysis technician certification. Hence, candidates must check the respective state regulations carefully.
Most of the candidate criteria need dialysis technicians to have a minimum of 2-year experience. Moreover, after three or five years, the recertification of dialysis technician credentials is also required based on the certification.
Top 5 Institutes for Dialysis Technician Training in the US
Central Georgia Technical College
Do you want to make your career as a dialysis technician? Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) has come with a Specialist Technical Certificate, Hemodialysis Technology Diploma program, etc.
All of the programs have been specially developed with the collaboration of local dialysis centers. Moreover, the diploma program calls for a total of 37 credits. It includes general education courses. On the other hand, the technical certificate programs call for 16 or 17 credits, based on the program.
Center for Dialysis Care
The Center for Dialysis Care (CDC), Ohio, comes with dialysis technician training and dialysis care. CDC often experiences a tremendous demand for such professionals.
Therefore, dialysis technicians with zero to little knowledge are appointed and trained here while employed. Certified dialysis technicians may fulfill the candidature of hiring bonuses.
DaVita Healthcare Partners
DaVita helps treat chronic kidney failure as well as other terminal-stage renal ailments. DaVita offers opportunities to employees so that they can be trained as dialysis technicians.
Moreover, training and working in the dialysis environment would continue simultaneously. Many potential dialysis technicians can perceive it as a budget-friendly solution for their career growth.
We have listed a few of the online dialysis tech schools below:
The University of Tennessee – Martin
At the University of Tennessee – Martin (UTM), students can enroll in a program (specialization in the dialysis technician) that would be self-paced and online.
Moreover, there are no requirements for pursuing this program. However, it is better if candidates have already completed or are on the verge of completing a high school diploma or GED.
Note that the program does not consist of any hands-on training or externship. Hence, students of the dialysis technician program must complete the clinical training on their responsibility.
Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University (CSU) comes with an online program as a segment of the university’s thriving tutoring program.
It is a four-month program with 375 contact hours. The program is designed to provide the fundamental aspects of future dialysis technician certification.
Conclusion
The dialysis technician is a bright career with many earning and growing opportunities.
Candidates should opt for an appropriate training program, according to the prerequisites. Proper training and certification turn candidates into successful professionals in the field.
