What does a dialysis tech do?

What does a person who works in dialysis do?

A dialysis technician is a trained medical worker who does the work of dialysis. Technicians work under the direction of a nurse or doctor who stays with the patient while treatment is going on.

Responsibilities of a dialysis technician
A dialysis technician works closely with patients and other medical professionals. They have many different jobs to do, such as:

Putting together the dialysis machine
Keeping a clean environment for treatment
Making sure the dialysis machines work well before starting the treatment
Keeping an eye on patients while they are being treated to look for signs of medical emergencies
Making changes to treatment to keep it safe to use
working with nurses and doctors to make sure each person gets the right treatment.
Patients and their families need to know how dialysis works.
Teaching patients about other healthcare options can improve the results of dialysis.
Patient preparation and giving local anesthesia
Make written reports for doctors about how a patient is doing.

Dialysis technicians need to have certain skills.

Dialysis technician needs to know how to use a lot of complicated medical equipment, but they also need a lot of soft skills to do their job well. Some of the most common skills are:

Attention to detail

To do well in a medical job, you need to be able to notice details and avoid mistakes that could be life-threatening. Technicians must follow a specific set of instructions when giving dialysis. They make changes based on what they see in the patient’s body and what their supervisor tells them to do.

Multitasking

During treatment, a dialysis technician keeps an eye on many things, such as the patient’s health and how the dialysis machine works. They also have to pay attention to other things that need their attention, like writing reports and talking with staff and the patient’s family.

Teamwork

A dialysis technician is part of the medical staff as a whole. Each professional in this group must work together well and in the right way to give each dialysis patient the best medical care possible.

Compassion

When you work with people who are sick, you need to have strong empathy skills. Dialysis technicians work closely with patients during what are often hard times for them. They need to connect with them, reassure them, and meet their needs in a caring way.

Communication

Dialysis technicians must be great at talking to people. Before treatment, they will talk to the patient about what will happen and how it will work. During treatment, when changes are made, they also need to talk to the patient and be able to answer all of his or her questions in depth.

Communication is also important between dialysis technicians and other medical staff. Both verbal and written reports on the patient’s progress and current physical condition are important.

To get a job, dialysis technicians must meet several requirements, such as:

1. A diploma from high school or GED

To be a dialysis technician, you need at least a high school diploma or an education that is equivalent. You don’t have to, but you could get a graduate degree in medical technology or nephrology, which is the study of the kidneys, to learn more about dialysis.

2. Training for the job

An accredited dialysis technology program is the best way for dialysis technicians to get the training they need. Community colleges, online schools, and vocational and technical schools all have programs that lead to certificates. Many schools also offer background courses that teach people who want to be dialysis technicians about blood chemistry, hemodialysis, renal disease, and other topics related to the job. Usually, it takes between 12 and 18 months to get a certification.

Applicants for dialysis technician jobs may sometimes be hired without training. In this case, they will either learn on the job or enroll in a program paid for by their employer.

Certification for dialysis technicians

All people who work as dialysis technicians must get certified within 18 months of being hired. The government recognizes three agencies that give credentials, giving people a total of seven ways to get certified. For certification, each agency needs a high school diploma or the equivalent. Certifications that are recognized nationally include:

National Organization for Certification in Nephrology
The National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO) gives three certifications to dialysis technicians, one of which is a specialty certification:

Certification Examination in Clinical Nephrology Technology (CCNT): To be eligible for the CCNT, you must have completed a one-year certificate program or a shorter program with work experience and passed the exam. The test has 200 multiple-choice questions about safety and preventing infections, taking care of patients properly, and the basic ideas and steps of dialysis. The test can only be taken in three hours.

Certification Examination in Biomedical Nephrology Technology (CBNT): This certification is for people who work as dialysis technicians and fix and maintain the machines and equipment used to treat water. This test also has 200 multiple-choice questions and a time limit of three hours, but it covers things like the basics of dialysis, how the equipment works, and water treatment.

Certification Exam for Dialysis Water Specialists (CDWS): This certification is for technicians who have experience treating dialysis water. It has 175 multiple-choice questions and a three-hour time limit. It covers water treatment, water purification equipment, disinfection strategies and prevention, and water treatment and purification equipment.
All people who have a certification must recertify every four years and meet any other requirements for that certification.

Commission for Certification in Nephrology Nursing

The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) gives hemodialysis technicians, which is another name for a dialysis technician, two certifications:

Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT): To get the CCHT, a candidate must finish an education program and a clinical practicum. There are 150 multiple-choice questions on the test, and you have three hours to finish. Questions test your knowledge of medicine and your ability to use that knowledge in the real world.
Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT-A): The CCHT-A is only for working technicians who have been in the field for at least five years and tests more advanced skills.
The CCHT needs to be renewed every three years, and candidates must show proof that they have worked as dialysis technicians for at least 3,000 hours and taken at least 30 hours of continuing education.

Nursing and Technology Board of Nephrology Examiners

The Board of Nephrology Examiners, Nursing, and Technology (BONENT) gives out two certifications:

Certified Hemodialysis Technician/Technologist (CHT): To be eligible for the CHT, a candidate must have completed a certificate program approved by BONENT or have worked as a technician for one year. The test is three hours long and has 150 multiple-choice questions on patient care, water treatment and machine technology, education and professional development, and more.

Certified Hemodialysis Biomedical Technician (CHBT): The CHBT is for people who repair and maintain dialysis equipment. This exam also has 150 multiple-choice questions and a time limit of three hours. It focuses on eight areas of practice and tasks related to hemodialysis technology, such as taking care of medical machines and managing water treatment systems.
For BONENT certifications to be renewed, you must do 40 hours of continuing education, and professional activity, or take the test again. There is a one-time waiver for continuing education.

Keep in mind that each state has its own rules about certification, so make sure to look up the rules of the state where you want to work. Also, make sure you meet the detailed requirements for each test.

The average pay for people who work in dialysis

On average, a dialysis technician makes $25.18 per hour. Salaries can go up if they work in a dialysis center or another type of healthcare facility, get a higher education, or have a lot of experience.

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