Training and an education as a dialysis technician can be the first step on a career path that offers many opportunities. A dialysis technician is the person responsible for operating the dialysis machine and monitoring the condition of the patient receiving this treatment. Dialysis is a treatment used when kidney function is impaired or the kidneys are failing, and this can be caused by illness, disease, injury, or other causes.
As a dialysis technician you will learn and understand the procedures used to prepare the machine and patient, monitor the treatment process closely, and evaluate any possible problems that either the machine or the patient may develop. These technicians can work in a variety of different settings, and ensure that the waste products are removed from the blood of the patient by the machine.
Dialysis technicians are in high demand, and this certificate or degree can allow you to operate in any setting where dialysis machines are used. The most common job opportunities are found in hospitals, where dialysis treatment is routinely performed on patients who need it. Another option is to work in a care facility for the elderly, because many of these facilities and nursing homes may have a number of patients who require this treatment on a regular basis. In some cases the facility will purchase and install the dialysis equipment, and hire technicians to perform the treatment right at the facility. This eliminates the need to transport patients to and from the hospital or other medical setting.
As a dialysis technician you can also work in a mobile dialysis unit, going from one facility to another to meet the need for dialysis treatment. Some mobile units may only treat one or two people at a time, while others can have a number of beds and patients at any given time. There are also outpatient dialysis centers, where dialysis is the only treatment offered. The settings you can choose to work in are various, but as a dialysis technician you will usually be working with patients and dialysis equipment. You can also work in a supervisory or management position in a dialysis facility, overseeing other employees and ensuring that everything is done properly.
With a certificate or degree as a dialysis technician you are trained to set up, evaluate, operate, and troubleshoot dialysis machines, and this knowledge can be used to find work in quality control or other areas in dialysis machine manufacturing. You are also trained to monitor the condition of the patient, including taking vital signs and other medical evaluation criteria.
You may go to work in a medical setting doing other things as well, because of the medical knowledge and training that you have acquired. You could also teach in a school that offers dialysis technician training, if working with patients is not ideal.
No matter what setting you choose to work in, a certificate or degree as a dialysis technician could put you on the path to a whole new career in a short time period.
Good article. I like the fact that as the top payor Medicare (around 80% by some measures) becomes more involved, requirements for the techs become more stringent. This is a win-win for the patients and the techs as well.