Dialysis Care Technician

Dialysis is a lifesaving treatment for patients whose kidneys have stopped functioning. Short of a kidney transplant, dialysis provides the only means available to eliminate waste, salt and excess fluid from the body.
 
On average, dialysis patients need to go through this procedure about three times a week. They rely on dialysis technicians to make sure the treatment is effective. Dialysis technicians operate machinery and monitor the patient during routine dialysis treatment.

Job Description

Dialysis technician jobs involve monitoring both the patient and the dialysis equipment during treatment to make sure everything goes smoothly. After treatment, the technician checks the patient's vital signs and performs a blood test to double check that the waste was removed. If a patient opts to receive dialysis at home, the dialysis technician offers training for the patient and family on proper procedures and when to call for emergency help. They are also responsible for cleaning and maintaining equipment. Dialysis technicians generally work under close supervision from a registered nurse.
 
Dialysis technicians work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics and patients' homes. They should be compassionate and have outstanding interpersonal skills. Since patients' lives depend on proper dialysis technique, technicians must be careful and attentive to detail. They must also be comfortable working with complex equipment.

Salary Guide

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average dialysis technician salary is $26,368 per year. Most dialysis technicians in the US earn between $23,221 and $30,918 annually. With experience and additional training, many dialysis technicians can earn upwards of $32,000 annually.

Education, Training and Work Experience

Dialysis technicians only need a high-school diploma. Dialysis technician training occurs on the job, with registered nurses teaching new technicians how to operate a dialysis machine. Aspiring technicians may wish to seek certification from a community college, vocational school or training center. Certified dialysis technicians often command higher salaries than non-certified technicians.

Career Advancement

Job outlook is good for dialysis technicians. In the United States, the Bureau of Labor statistics expects the field to grow in coming years, due to the expanding number of older Americans who need dialysis treatment. Technicians may be promoted to supervisory positions such as chief technicians. Some may be trained to become biomedical equipment technicians. Others choose to go back to school and study to become registered nurses.

Related Associations and Groups

Many associations and groups exist for dialysis technicians. They include:
  • Kidney Transplant/Dialysis Association
  • National Association for Nephrology Technicians/Technologists
  • National Kidney Foundation
  • National Renal Administrators Association.
 
Share |