Become a Dialysis Technician

Dialysis technicians work within a specialized section of the healthcare industry. They are crucial to the field as they are the only ones trained specifically for kidney dialysis care.

What tasks do dialysis technicians perform?

Dialysis technicians’ main duty is to operate hemodialysis machines in order to perform dialysis treatment for patients with kidney failure. Hemodialysis machines carry patients’ blood through tubes containing a sugar and water solution that sterilizes the blood, bringing it back to the patient’s body.

Dialysis technicians have the following responsibilities:

• Set up dialysis machine
• Mix sterilization solution
• Take patient history
• Determine pulse rate
• Record blood pressure
• Inspect dialysis machine
• Monitor patient’s reaction

Other important tasks performed by dialysis technicians include cleaning the area from which the blood will be extracted, calculating blood flow and fluid removal, and explaining the procedure to patients. They also record the condition of the patient before and after the procedure by noting blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate, and weight.

Dialysis technicians must pay attention to detail and be patient because they have to watch over patients before, during and after the procedure. These technicians should make sure that patients’ vital signs remain normal and that they stay in a stable condition.