Are you a caring and compassionate person? Does helping others make you feel good? Turn your passion into a career by becoming a dialysis technician!
If you’re wondering, “what does a dialysis technician do?“, then you are in the right place. Dialysis or hemodialysis technicians provide care to patients with chronic kidney failure or end-stage renal disease. Keep reading to find out more about their job duties, how to become certified and what course work to expect.
As you gain experience in this field, you will be able to play a larger part in your patients’ rehabilitation. A typical career path begins as a Junior Dialysis Technician and progresses to Dialysis Technician, Senior Dialysis Technician, and Chief Dialysis Technician. As a result, the longer you work in the field, the more learning opportunities you will have.
Take the first step in your career journey today!
What Are The Duties Of Dialysis Technicians?
According to the National Kidney Foundation, “Dialysis is a treatment that does some of the things done by healthy kidneys. It is needed when your own kidneys can no longer take care of your body’s needs¹.”
A dialysis technician works closely with patients, doctors, and nurses to ensure that important medical equipment operates smoothly. Dialysis technician skills also include:
- Assemble and test dialysis equipment to verify it is in working order
- Monitor patients before, during, and after dialysis
- Draw and measure blood samples to calculate patients’ blood flow
- Disassemble and sterilize dialysis machines and equipment
- Provide patient care throughout dialysis operations
- Administer dialysis treatments under the supervision of a doctor or nurse
What Do You Need to Become a Certified Dialysis technician?
“The Department of Health and Hospitals enforces regulations relating to dialysis technician training and certification within the state of Louisiana. Dialysis technician training must reflect the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) standards of practice. Technicians must complete a high school diploma or equivalent, a facility orientation program, and pass a training program².”
What Can I Expect from a Dialysis Technician Program?
A Dialysis Technician program should include comprehensive courses on the vital skills needed for a career as a dialysis tech. Blue Cliff College’s program covers the following courses to provide you with the knowledge to begin your career:
- Anatomy and physiology of the renal system
- Medical Terminology
- Basics of nutrition in renal failure
- CDC standard precautions
- Concepts and principles of hemodialysis
- Phlebotomy Laboratory and Procedures
- Patient Care and Clinical Fundamentals
- Ethics of Patient Care
- Certification Preparation and Review
- 150-hour Externship
Join Blue Cliff College to start your career as a Dialysis Technician
Blue Cliff College’s Dialysis Technician Diploma program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in the healthcare field. Becoming primary caregivers for patients with kidney disease and who may undergo dialysis treatment.
In addition to working under the supervision of physicians and nurses, graduates may pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, or outpatient facilities as patient care technicians or dialysis technicians.
There is an externship component included as a culminating course that enables the student to be placed in an actual supervised dialysis setting. The normal completion time for the day program is 12 months and the evening program is 15 months.
Upon successful completion of the program and all other graduation requirements, a diploma in Dialysis Technician will be earned!
Learn more about becoming a Dialysis Technician at Blue Cliff College
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