Renal Dialysis Technician

Patients who suffer kidney disorder and undergo dialysis treatment are under the direct care of the renal dialysis technician. They commonly work in hospitals, clinics, and even private homes to render care among patients and maintain the good condition of the dialysis machine.

 

 

 

How to Become a Renal Dialysis Technician

Training programs to become a renal dialysis technician are available among technical and community colleges. In order to become one of the most successful health care providers, here are some of the guidelines:

  1. Determine whether you can perform the job. Usually, dialysis technicians work with extremely ill patients. They work day and night during 12-hour shifts in hospitals. Some of their responsibilities include vital signs monitoring and making sure that the dialysis equipment is functioning well.
  2. Attend the training program for dialysis technicians. Commonly, colleges offer the program on a certificate level with two semesters to fulfill the whole academic program. Clinical experiences and coursework will teach students on patient care and dialysis equipment operation.
  3. Check the certification requirements of your desired state. State to state certification can vary. Some states require their applicants to complete an experience within a dialysis facility. Others require finishing a training program first before applying for the exam.
  4. Get certified. The organization that certifies dialysis technicians is the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT). The certification exam consists of five major areas (150 questions) to be completed in three hours. You can choose between the computer based or paper and pencil test.

 

Jobs Outlook

According to Salary.com, the average renal dialysis technician salary is $33,183 per year from their market pricing report on Certified Compensation Professionals’ analysis of survey data. Typically, the working environment of this profession is found among clinics and hospitals. Some even work in private homes. Dialysis technicians work under the supervision of other health care professionals (e.g., nurse, physician, and laboratory personnel). The job outlook for renal dialysis technician is positive since most new patients for renal placement therapy are for hemodialysis (91%) according to United States Renal Disease Survey for 2012. Moreover, the total Medicare spending is $343 billion. During the 2010 survey, it was found out that there was a 9% increase compared to 2009 figures among patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. This makes the profession of renal dialysis technician to be one of the very competitive in the medical industry.