Dialysis Technician
Operate hemodialysis machines to filter waste from blood for patients with kidney failure, providing life-sustaining treatment.
| Median Salary | $30,000-$52,000 per year |
| Job Growth (10yr) | +5%Very Good |
| Education | Postsecondary Certificate |
| Time to Start | 4-18 months |
Work Settings
- •Outpatient dialysis centers
- •Hospital acute care units
- •Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
- •Home dialysis support programs
Primary Duties
- •Set up, prime, and operate hemodialysis machines and equipment
- •Perform cannulation by inserting needles into patient access sites or connecting catheters
- •Monitor patient vital signs and comfort throughout dialysis treatment
- •Make real-time adjustments to dialysis machines based on patient response
- •Document treatment parameters, patient responses, and any complications
- •Sterilize equipment and maintain strict infection control protocols
- •Educate patients about their treatment, dietary restrictions, and fluid management
- •Provide emotional support and reassurance to chronically ill patients
How to Become Dialysis Technician
Complete high school education
Obtain high school diploma or GED equivalent
Duration: 48 months
Complete dialysis technician training program
Enroll in state-approved certificate program or employer-sponsored paid training combining classroom instruction with supervised clinical experience
Duration: 18 months
Secure employment
Apply for positions at dialysis centers, hospitals, or nursing homes; complete employer onboarding and orientation
Duration: 3 months
Gain clinical experience and obtain certification
Work under supervision while preparing for national certification exam; federal regulations require certification within 18 months of hire date
Duration: 18 months
Pass national certification exam
Take and pass CCHT or CHT exam to become fully certified
Duration: 24 months
Maintain certification through continuing education
Complete required continuing education hours and renew certification every 3 years
Duration: 24 months
Continuing Education
To maintain your CCHT certification, you must renew every three years by either retaking the exam or completing 30 contact hours of continuing education approved by organizations like the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA). You'll also need to demonstrate at least 3,000 hours of work experience as a dialysis technician during the certification period. Professional organizations like the National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists (NANT) offer conferences, workshops, and online courses to help you meet these requirements while staying current with advances in dialysis care and technology.
Certifications & Licenses
- •Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) - Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
- •Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) - Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology
- •Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR certification
- •State-specific licensing (required in California, Texas, and other states)
Citations
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians ↗
- Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) - CCHT Certification ↗
- Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT) ↗
- National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists (NANT) ↗
- California Department of Public Health - Hemodialysis Technician Certification ↗
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - ESRD Conditions for Coverage ↗
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