Dialysis Technician

Overview

A Dialysis Technician is professionally trained to function as a member of a team of dialysis caregivers. Specifically, this professional is trained not only in the maintenance of the dialysis equipment (dialyzer or artificial kidney), but also in the procedures of hemodialysis of patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), commonly known as kidney failure.

The role of the dialysis technician is to prepare the hemodialysis machine, participate in the client’s admission and assessment process, perform venipuncture, connect the blood lines to the machine, utilize the Doctor’s prescription to initiate hemodialysis treatment, monitors the patient’s vital signs and machine function, observes any complications and reports them to the registered nurse.

At the end of the treatment, the dialysis technician disconnects the client from the machine, makes calculations of fluid removal, assists in the discharge process, and prepares the machine for the next treatment.

Program Description

The Dialysis Technician Program is offered in collaboration with affiliated Dialysis Centers in the area. This is an 8 months certificate program that provides academic, laboratory, and clinical experiences in hemodialysis patient care. The goal of this program is to provide the health care community of northwest Louisiana with trained dialysis technicians who are prepared to work in hemodialysis facilities and provide appropriate patient care to patients with kidney failure with minimal additional training.

How to become certified

After completion of the Dialysis Technology program and meeting the state licensing requirements, an applicant must meet the following minimum criteria, you must demonstrate a minimum of 6 months of experience in nephrology patient care and current active participation in an ESRD facility which makes you eligible to take the certification examination.

Mission

The mission of the Dialysis Technology Program is program is to provide the health care community of Northwest Louisiana with trained dialysis technicians who are prepared to work in hemodialysis facilities with minimal additional training, and provide appropriate patient care to clients with kidney failure.

Please see your advisor or University Catalog for more information.