Dialysis Technician Schools

Length of Dialysis Technician Training

Typically, you have to go to school for four to 12 months to become a dialysis technician.* However, in some states, you only need a high school diploma and on-the-job training.

Dialysis Tech Program Options

Dialysis technology training programs are offered by vocational schools, community colleges, and other training providers.

Most programs lead to a certificate or diploma. They can be anywhere from four to 12 months long and usually include both classroom instruction and a clinical externship.*

Most programs also prepare students for one or more of the certification exams required for all working dialysis technicians.

Typical Courses

Training generally covers topics like:

• The principles of hemodialysis
• Renal system anatomy and physiology
• Communicating with patients and preparing them for dialysis
• Operating and maintaining dialysis equipment
• Complications and warning signs
• Infection control

Skills You Can Learn

Dialysis technician training can help you become skilled at:

• Cleaning and sterilizing dialysis equipment
• Attaching tubing
• Checking alarms and monitors
• Maintaining patient safety and comfort
• Keeping accurate records of procedures
• Communicating with patients and other members of the health care team

Certification

Under federal regulations, all dialysis technicians must become certified within 18 months of beginning work in the field. However, each state sets its own licensing and certification requirements. Some states mandate that technicians become certified before starting work.

You become a certified dialysis technician by passing an exam from a relevant authority. The three main national certifying bodies are listed below. Each state can specify which certifications are acceptable, so be sure to check what the rules are in your area.

1. Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing Technology (BONENT)

BONENT offers the Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician (CHT) designation for general dialysis technicians and the Certified Hemodialysis Bio-Medical Technician (CHBT) credential for those who focus on machine maintenance rather than patient care.

To be eligible to take either exam, you must have completed an approved training course or be currently employed in the field and have at least six months of work experience.

BONENT also offers a Certified Hemodialysis Water Specialist (CHWS) exam. You can take this exam if you already hold CHT or CBNT certification and have one year of experience in the dialysis water field. Otherwise, you must have a high school diploma or GED and three years of experience, an associate degree and two years of experience, or a bachelor's degree and one year of experience.

2. Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC)

The NNCC offers the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) designation for entry-level technicians. In order to qualify to take the exam, you must have a high school diploma or GED. You must also have completed a training program that includes a supervised clinical practicum. Plus, you need to provide details of any work experience you have accumulated. At least six months of experience is recommended, though not required.

The NNCC also offers the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician-Advanced (CCHT-A) credential for technicians with a minimum of five years of experience.

Dialysis Tech Education & Training FAQs

What schooling do you need to be a dialysis technician?

You must meet the licensing and certification requirements in your specific state, so it's important to check with your department of health or board of nursing. Usually, would-be technicians must have a high school diploma (or equivalent) or a certificate or diploma in dialysis technology.

Some dialysis care centers, such as those operated by DaVita, offer on-the-job training to otherwise untrained technicians so that they can accumulate the hours they need for certification.

Can I train to be a dialysis tech online?

Yes, some programs are delivered entirely online. However, not all include a hands-on clinical component.

How long does it take to become a dialysis technician?

Dialysis technician training typically takes from 4 to 12 months.

How much does dialysis technician certification cost?

BONENT certifications, such as CHT, cost between $235 and $255 depending on whether you take the pen-and-paper option or the computer-based test. NNCC certification prices vary. The CCHT and CCHT-A exam fee is $225.

Some training programs include the cost of a certification exam in their tuition and fees.

Dialysis Technician Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dialysis technicians are included in the general category "health technologists and technicians, all other." Median earners make $47,470 as an annual salary.**

Job Openings & Outlook for Dialysis Technicians

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have specific data on this occupation, so it's difficult to say if dialysis technicians are in demand. However, the BLS does have a general category for "health technologists and technicians, all other," which includes dialysis techs. According to BLS projections, employment in this broad category is estimated to grow by 6.6 percent from 2022 to 2032.

On average, about 12,600 health technician jobs are expected to open up each year over that time period.

What a Dialysis Technician Does

Dialysis technicians operate special machines that remove toxins from the bodies of people with advanced kidney disease. Under the supervision of a doctor or nurse, they provide care to patients undergoing dialysis treatment.

Technicians may:

• Assemble the dialysis machine and ensure it is working properly
• Address patient questions or concerns
• Take patients' vital signs
• Administer local anesthesia
• Insert the needles that connect patients to the machine
• Monitor patients during treatment and adjust fluid removal rates if needed
• Disconnect and sterilize the machine
• Update the health care team on each patient's condition

Work Settings

Most dialysis technicians work in:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Specialized dialysis centers

Some work in:

• Laboratories
• Long-term care facilities
• People's homes

Career FAQs

What's the difference between a dialysis technician, a hemodialysis technician, and a nephrology technician?

Those are simply different titles for the same occupation. Nephrology is the branch of medicine that concentrates on the kidneys. Hemodialysis (or just dialysis) is the actual process of cleansing the blood of a kidney patient.

Is being a dialysis tech a good career?

Many dialysis technicians find the work extremely rewarding because they provide essential physical and emotional support to patients undergoing treatment. Most dialysis patients have three-to-five-hour treatments multiple times a week, so technicians get to spend a lot of time with the same people and monitor their progress.

If you like to work at a fast pace, have great interpersonal skills, and value teamwork, then a career as a dialysis tech could be a terrific option for you.

Is working in dialysis hard?

Not every dialysis patient has a good outcome, and it can be hard to see someone's condition worsen or lose a patient who you've gotten close to. But it can also be immensely gratifying to realize that you helped someone live longer than they otherwise would have.

Do dialysis techs draw blood?

Dialysis technicians run the machines that clean patients' blood and return it to their bodies. They are qualified to draw blood, but that isn't something they typically do.

What hours do dialysis technicians work?

Most dialysis technicians work 40 hours a week. Some have more flexible part-time schedules.