Dialysis technicians, also called hemodialysis technicians or nephrology technicians, work to cleanse the kidneys of impurities for those experiencing acute or chronic renal failure. By operating medical equipment under the supervision of a nurse or other healthcare professional, dialysis technicians safely remove waste products and fluids from the blood and vascular systems of patients. They develop strong relationships with patients, as people waiting to receive kidney transplants must come in to receive dialysis treatment for several hours at a time, up to seven days per week. Because a dialysis technician has frequent contact with patients, he or she must use these interactions to ensure that the patient is comfortable while receiving treatment and also to get a full assessment of the patient's health, which will be reported to his or her physician.

Some routine tasks of dialysis technicians involve taking patients' medical histories, recording blood pressure, and maintaining dialysis equipment, such as the operation, repair, and sterilization of dialysis machines. Dialysis technicians also instruct patients about at-home treatments to prolong the functioning of kidneys until they receive a transplant.

At the very minimum, potential dialysis technicians should earn a high school diploma or its equivalent before they can begin training as a dialysis technician. The completion of a vocational or technical program is not required to work as a dialysis technician, but many community colleges and technical schools offer brief courses to prepare students for work in nephrology. If you plan to work as a dialysis technician, you must become a Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT).

Career Specializations

A career as a dialysis technician does not allow a large degree of specialization. The responsibilities of a dialysis technician are pretty much the same across the board; all dialysis technicians use medical equipment to filter toxins from the blood, which is what healthy kidneys usually do. To specialize within the field of nephrology, you will need to obtain an advanced degree, such as one to become a physician or registered nurse.

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Degree Levels

• Training programs: 6 weeks to 1 year to obtain
• Certification: Based on your individual readiness

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Education & Certification

Vocational school or training is not required to become a dialysis technician, although people do have the option of completing it. Dialysis technician programs will vary in the amount of time they take to complete, but will generally range from six weeks to two semesters. During training, students will learn the essential skills of a dialysis technician and will be taught how to administer CPR and emergency oxygen. At the minimum, those trying for a career as a dialysis technician should have received a high school diploma or GED. 

Certification, however, is necessary to obtain work as a dialysis technician. In order to be eligible for certification, you must have obtained at least a high school diploma or GED, successfully completed a clinical hemodialysis technician training program, and have either already obtained a position as a dialysis technician or have spent a sufficient number of hours in clinical, hands-on patient care. Certification, or the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT), is obtained by passing an exam and is awarded by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission. (NNCC)

After receiving the CCHT, it will be good for a period of three years. If after that time, technicians would like to maintain their certification, they will need to renew it. To do so, technicians must have racked up at least 3,000 hours of work experience within the three-year certification period and have completed 30 hours of continuing education during the recertification period. Sources of continuing education may include nephrology-specific nursing continuing education programs (like those offered by the American Nephrology Nurses' Association), independent study programs, or the completion of a professional publication or multimedia program development related to nephrology. (NNCC)

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Salary Information

Dialysis technicians earn slightly more per hour working in hospitals than they do in dialysis centers. Out of all of the facilities, dialysis technicians will make the most money working in physicians' offices and in ambulatory care. Like in most other fields, the more training and years of experience you gain, the more salary and benefits you will have.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that in May 2008, health technologists (a group that includes dialysis technicians) earned median annual wages of $38,490.  Typically, dialysis technicians earn $25,000 to $32,000 annually. (BLS)

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Job Outlook

According to the BLS, the job outlook for dialysis technicians will be good throughout the period of 2008 to 2018. In particular, about 3.2 million new jobs will be created in the healthcare industry over this decade. The aging population has contributed to an increasing number of people experiencing kidney failure. The National Kidney Foundation estimates about 26 million people living with chronic kidney disease today. With so many people affected, there is a great need for dialysis technicians to perform their job duties once patients lose 85-90 percent of their kidney function. (BLS)

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Related Careers

A career as a respiratory therapist will allow you to assist patients who are experiencing trouble breathing. Respiratory therapists work with all age groups and can administer life-saving treatment to those who have an obstructed airway. To work as a respiratory therapist, you will have to obtain the minimum of an associate degree and become comfortable working under the supervision of physicians.

An EKG technician may be another consideration for you as you launch your career. As an EKG technician, you will have to hook patients up to electrodes that will monitor the heart with the use of electrical impulses. The attainment of a high school diploma and certificate could be enough to get you started working as an EKG technician.

Also, a career as a sonographer/ultrasound technician will allow you to direct high-frequency sound waves to create images of the body. By identifying unhealthy areas within the body, these images can be used to make diagnoses or other medical assessments. To get started in this career, you must obtain at least a two-year associate degree.

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