HEAL B9101 - Dialysis Technician Program

Course Description

The Dialysis Technician Certification program is designed to train you in the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to enter the health and wellness field as a patient care technician. 

Successful completion of this program will prepare you to take the National Certification Exam and start work as a Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT). Program topics include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology of the kidney, blood chemistry, and renal diseases and disorders. You will be trained to operate dialysis equipment and learn how to communicate effectively with patients and team members. Students are eligible to complete a clinical externship upon successfully completing the program.

Course Outline

• Medical Terminology
  • Medical terminology related to dialysis.
• Anatomy & Physiology
  • Anatomy and normal functions of the kidneys and origins of the terms pertaining to the field of Nephrology.
• Renal Failure
  • Wellness and disease concepts.
• Treatment of Renal Failure
  • Treatment options of renal failure.
• The Hemodialysis Procedure
  • The hemodialysis procedure and techniques.
• The Hemodialysis Team
• The role of the full hemodialysis professional team and their functions.
• Ethics, Rights and Responsibilities
• Quality improvement
• Renal Nutrition
  • Renal diet and regimens
• Principles of Hemodialysis
  • Principles and fluid dynamics
• Vascular Access
• Types of vascular access and techniques
• Patient and Staff Safety
  • Prevention and Infection control
• Safety Precautions and Procedures
• Osha regulations and workplace safety standards
• Pre-Dialysis Procedures
• Pre-Treatment functions and steps
• Dialysis Treatment Procedure
• Machine functions and preparation
• Dialyzer Reprocessing
• Benefits, risks and functions
• Dialysis Adequacy
  • Urea signs and symptoms
• Laboratory Analysis and Interpretation
• Essential tests, interpretation and medications
• Dialyzer, Dialysate and Delivery System
• Purpose and primary functions of the dialysis delivery system
• Post-Dialysis Treatment Procedures
• Post-Dialysis treatment functions and steps
• General Patient Skills
• Professional behavior and employability skills
• Water Treatment
• Purpose, advantages and disadvantages

Learner Outcomes

• Work under the supervision of a registered or licensed practical nurse to administer this life-sustaining procedure in a highly invasive and specialized patient care environment.
• Perform the hemodialysis procedure, which removes waste products from the patient’s blood
• Have a working knowledge of how blood is removed from the patient’s body, cycled through the artificial kidney for cleansing of metabolic waste products before returning to the patient.
• Create daily reports for patient status regarding specimens obtained for testing
• Possess core knowledge to take the professional certification exam for Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT)