A hemodialysis technician operates hemodialysis equipment, which is used to clean the blood of patients who have failing kidneys. Hemodialysis takes the place of the kidneys, scrubbing the blood and returning it to circulation after it has been cleansed of impurities. Hemodialysis may be prescribed to patients while they wait for a transplantable kidney to become available or to treat a temporary kidney problem. Hemodialysis technicians are paid differently depending on where they work and their level of experience.
A registered nurse oversees the work of these medical technicians. Checking, maintaining, and programming hemodialysis machines for each patient is one aspect of the job. The hemodialysis technician must also be familiar with the water treatment system in use at the hemodialysis facility. Hemodialysis technicians will receive training in how hemodialysis was developed, how the machines work, and other topics so that they are confident in their work.
When a patient arrives for treatment, the hemodialysis technician takes vital signs, enters them into the patient’s chart, and assists the patient in settling into a couch or chair. The hemodialysis treatment is started after a needle is inserted into a vein or tubing is attached to a catheter that has been left in place for easy access. The hemodialysis technician keeps an eye on the patient and the machine while the treatment is going on. Technicians must be able to respond quickly to alarms and complications. The patient’s vital signs are taken again at the end of a treatment session, and the area is cleaned in preparation for the next patient.
These technicians are an important part of the patient care team because they are the primary point of patient interaction. Hemodialysis technicians can notice physical or behavioral changes in patients that may indicate that they require a new medical evaluation. They can also answer questions, record patient concerns and pass them on to a doctor, and educate patients who are performing self-care at home. A hemodialysis technician can also teach family members and caregivers how to properly and safely care for the patient.
To work as a hemodialysis technician, you must have a high school diploma and complete a technician training program at a hospital, community college, or trade school. Students will gain clinical experience in addition to classroom work that will prepare them to pass a certification exam. Graduates of training programs can work as hemodialysis technicians in hospitals, clinics, and hemodialysis centers after receiving certification.