Dialysis Technician Schools
You might say a dialysis technician is the top dog when it comes to operating a dialysis machine.
In addition to operating a dialysis machine for patients requiring the treatment, they also are responsible for training doctors and nurses in how to use the equipment. They also must make sure the equipment is in good operating order at all times, and keep accurate patient records relating to treatment.
Many dialysis technician schools and colleges which offer training in this field do so in the form of a certificate or associate degree.
To find a program that suits your needs, use our search tool as a guide. You can enter a zip code to do an area-specific search.
Dialysis Technician Schools: A Guide
To a patient suffering from kidney failure, a dialysis machine is a life-saving option.
Dialysis is the process by which waste and excess water is removed from the blood. It is necessary for patients suffering from loss of kidney function or who are in renal failure to receive this treatment. A dialysis machine is used for the process, usually operated by a technician who has a dialysis technician certification. In layman’s terms, a dialysis machine extracts the blood from a patient’s body, “cleans it,” and then returns the filtered product to the patient. It is an option for people who do not need or who do not qualify for a kidney transplant. Without this device and the procedure it performs, those suffering from kidney-related issues would live shorter lives.
The entire procedure requires the knowledge and ability of a dialysis technician in order to be performed properly. Dialysis technicians receive special dialysis technician training on how to properly operate a dialysis machine, monitor patients while the machine is in use and record patient data.
Dialysis Technician Education Requirements
In order to become a dialysis technician, students must first attend an accredited program through a dialysis technician school.
A dialysis technician will earn either a certificate or associate’s degree in dialysis. You can read more in our guide to how to become a dialysis technician.
• Certificate Program: To become certified, a candidate must possess a high school diploma or GED and have completed what is referred to as a clinical hemodialysis technician training program. This program can take six months to a year to complete. Following completion, the candidate must receive certification by passing an exam that is administered through one of three organizations: the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission, the National Nephrology Certification Organization or the Board of Nephrology Examiners. The certification expires after three years, and technicians who wish to renew it must have at least 3,000 hours of work experience and have completed 30 hours of continuing education in the field.
• Associate Degree: This level of degree, while not required to work in the industry, is recommended. Many community colleges and technical training programs offer this level of training for dialysis technicians. Candidates who complete this two-year program will have earned an Associate in Applied Science degree. Those who possess an associate degree still are required to pass a certification exam through one of the three approved certification commissions and also must participate in continuing education programs to maintain their certification.
Due to the nature of the training, schools for dialysis technicians generally are offered through traditional means, rather than online. There are a variety of technical schools and community colleges which offer training in this field.
Dialysis Technician Job Outlook
According to www.salary.com, dialysis technicians can expect to earn on average $35,000 annually. Some technicians on the highest end of the wage scale earn just over $45,000 a year, and the lowest-paid technicians in the field were earning $28,000 annually.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment opportunities for dialysis technicians will continue to grow through 2018. It estimates that over 3 million new jobs will be created in the healthcare industry by 2018. Demand for dialysis technicians is showing extreme growth due to the aging population and the number of people now living with chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.
Article by Shari Berg, SmartSchoolFinder.com
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