High School

If you are interested in working as a dialysis technician, you should take biology, chemistry, and health classes while in high school. Mathematics classes will also be beneficial, since you will be working with numbers and equations as you determine the appropriate treatment for each patient. English classes will help you develop your communication skills and improve your ability to follow directions and record information. You may also want to take computer classes so that you are comfortable working with technical equipment. Finally, consider taking any class, such as psychology, that will give you insight into dealing with people.

Postsecondary Training

Although there is a movement toward providing more formal academic training in the field of renal dialysis, presently only a few two-year dialysis preparatory programs exist in technical schools and junior colleges. Many people entering the field have some type of experience in a patient-care setting or college training in biology, chemistry, or health-related fields. By far, the majority of technicians learn their skills through on-the-job training at the first hospital or dialysis center where they are employed. Therefore, you should be extremely inquisitive, willing to learn, and able to work as a team member. Inquire at local hospitals and dialysis centers to find out what type of training they offer and their admission requirements. Training may range from several weeks to a year or more. Typically, the training programs include class study on such topics as anatomy, principles of dialysis, and patient care, as well as supervised clinical practice.

Other Education or Training

The National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists offers an annual symposium that features workshops on technical topics and a professional development workshop that provides tips on career advancement. The National Kidney Foundation also provides continuing education opportunities. Contact these organizations for more information. 

Certification or Licensing

In most states, dialysis technicians are not required to be registered, certified, or licensed. However, several states, such as California and New Mexico, do require practicing dialysis technicians to have certification; in addition, a growing number of states are considering legislation to make certification mandatory. In some states, technicians are required to pass a test before they can work with patients. You will need to check with your state's department of health or licensing board to determine specific requirements for your area.

The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing Technology, the National Nephrology Certification Organization, and the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission offer voluntary certification programs for nurses and technicians. The program's purposes are to identify safe, competent practitioners, to promote excellence in the quality of care available to kidney patients, and encourage study and advance the science of nursing and technological fields in nephrology. These organizations hope that eventually all dialysis technicians will be certified.

Many people entering the field have some type of experience in a patient-care setting or college training in biology, chemistry, or health-related fields, but the majority of technicians learn their skills through on-the-job training at the first hospital or dialysis center where they are employed.

The ability to talk easily with patients and their families is essential. Kidney patients, especially those who are just beginning dialysis, are confronting a major—and permanent—life change. You must be able to help them deal with the emotional as well as the physical effects of their condition. Good interpersonal skills are crucial, not only in the technician-patient relationship, but in working closely with other technicians and health care professionals as well. Because the slightest mistake can have deadly consequences, a technician must be thorough and detail-oriented. Since the technician is responsible for the lives of patients, you must be mature, able to respond to stressful situations calmly, and think quickly in an emergency. Good mathematical skills and a familiarity with the metric system are essential. You must be able to calibrate machines and calculate the correct amounts and proportions of solutions to be used as well as quickly determine any necessary changes if there are indications that a patient is not responding to the treatment appropriately.

It can be upsetting to work with people who are ill, and if you have a cheerful disposition and pleasant manner this will help ease the patient's anxiety.