Hemodialysis Technician

Hemodialysis technicians, also often known as dialysis technicians, work closely with doctors and nurses to provide patient care to people with permanent kidney failure. This asynchronous online hemodialysis technician certification course provides the didactic and clinical requirements needed to develop the skills necessary to fulfill the job requirements of a hemodialysis technician.

The hemodialysis technician course, which includes medical terminology, prepares you for an entry-level hemodialysis technician position by teaching you the proper methods of evaluating and managing patients with end-stage renal disease. Within the hemodialysis technician training course, you will be presented with real-world scenarios and access to an instructor that will provide remediation and feedback on interactive assignments that you will need to submit by using the lab kit that is included in the course. The lab kit includes a Fistula Dialysis Veni-Dot Nephrology/AV Arm that will be used for assignments and practice scenarios within the course.

The medical terminology course introduces key concepts of medical language and human anatomy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of body systems in health and disease. Students with prior knowledge can optionally test out by achieving a minimum score of 80%, replacing course content if desired. It is important to understand that this course feature only applies to the online Medical Terminology course.

Upon completion of the certified hemodialysis technician training course, you will be presented with an opportunity to participate in a Clinical Experience to meet your clinical requirements. By meeting the didactic and clinical requirements, you will be prepared to sit for the Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) certification offered by the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT). As a bonus, within the course, you will be able to apply to attend a Red Cross workshop to obtain your CPR/BLS certification.

Disclaimer: Participation in a Clinical Experience is contingent upon successfully completing a background check and/or drug screening that is consistent with the requirements of both state and federal laws. To qualify for the clinical experience application process, students must successfully complete the online course and ensure their account balances are current (at a minimum). It is important to note that ed2go cannot guarantee placement at any clinical site, and students must take full responsibility for fulfilling their clinical requirements. However, our affiliated partnerships can increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches student needs. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process two weeks before completing courses.

Funding Disclaimer: For Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded students, please consult with your funding source representative before taking advantage of the Medical Terminology test-out feature. Different funding programs may have specific requirements and/or restrictions. If you attempt the test-out feature(s) in the Medical Terminology course without getting approval, your funding benefits may be jeopardized.

What you will learn

• To describe how to evaluate the patient pre- and post-treatment as well as evaluate, intervene, and manage treatment for the patient
• To describe how to properly set up and maintain a dialysis machine and how to evaluate proper machine operation, including documenting compliance for maintenance records
• To describe the components and design of typical water treatment systems and discuss the steps to maintain, monitor, and evaluate water treatment systems
• To explain how to maintain a clean and safe patient environment, identify precautions used in dialysis, and how to implement isolation procedures
• To identify professional development opportunities for continuing education and discuss quality-related issues, proper documentation, and communication skills needed in a dialysis setting

How you will benefit

• Prepare for the Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) exam offered by the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT)
• Obtain soft skills such as communication, computer literacy, etc. are integrated in the course
• Gain a new job, clinical experience, or achieve a promotion within 180 days of completing the program
• Opportunity to share what you learn with others to improve the overall understanding of dialysis
• Obtain your CPR certification from the Red Cross—included in your course

1. Medical Terminology
1. Getting Started
2. How to Take This Course
3. Test-Out Exam 1: Lessons 1–Midterm Exam
4. Introduction to Medical Terminology and the Human Body in Health and Disease
5. The Musculoskeletal System
6. The Cardiovascular System
7. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
8. The Respiratory System
9. The Digestive System
10. The Urinary System
11. Midterm
12. Test-Out Exam 2: Lessons 8–Final Exam
13. The Nervous System
14. Special Senses: The Eyes and Ears
15. The Integumentary System
16. The Endocrine System
17. Mental Health
18. Male and Female Reproductive Systems
19. Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, and Complementary Medicine
20. Final Exam
2. Hemodialysis Technician
   1. Introduction to Hemodialysis
   2. The Normal Kidney and Kidney Disease Changes
   3. Manifestations of Chronic Kidney Disease and Acute Kidney Injury
   4. Infection Control
   5. Principles of Hemodialysis
   6. Dialyzers, Dialysate, and Dialysis Delivery Machines
   7. Water Treatment in Hemodialysis
   8. Patient Care and Data Collection
   9. Vascular Access Care
   10. Pre-Treatment Care in Hemodialysis
   11. Medications and Laboratory Testing in Hemodialysis
   12. Patient Care and Machine Management During Hemodialysis Treatment
   13. Post-Hemodialysis Treatment Care
   14. Your Role in Patient Education
   15. Clinical Quality in Dialysis
   16. Professional Development

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
• To participate in the competency activities and receive feedback from your instructor, you will need to have access to a video camera (on the phone or other device of familiarity) and be able to upload the video as an .mp4 file to the assignment pages for review. These activities are required in order to pass the course successfully.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment.

The following digital textbook for the Medical Terminology course is accessed via links in the course lessons:

• Comprehensive Medical Terminology for Health Professions, 1st Edition (eBook)

The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in the Hemodialysis Technician course:

• Review of Hemodialysis for Nurses and Dialysis Personnel
• Core Curriculum for the Dialysis Technician
• Custom Hemodialysis Kit

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Prerequisites:

To register for this course, you must be 18 years of age or older.

Certification Requirements:

Because of the prominent role Medicare and Medicaid play in funding the treatment of end stage renal disease, federal statutes should consider the minimum requirements in states without formal regulations on dialysis centers and personnel. BONENT certification standards, to which the ed2go program conforms, comply with these federal standards.

State Requirements:

This program does not meet the educational requirements to apply for professional licensure or certification in the states of CA, KY, MD, MS, OH, SD, and WV.

Each state's licensure or certification authority is responsible for establishing the requirements for professional licensure or certification in its state. Completing this program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria. Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate state licensing authority to confirm the requirements for licensure or a certificate in the state where they live, work, or intend to live or work.

Dominic Japos

Dominic Japos holds a BS in Biology and a Bachelor's in Nursing. His professional journey commenced as an NCLEX instructor, subsequently leading him to the United Kingdom where he dedicated 8 years to serving as a dialysis nurse. His true passion lies in the realm of education. Upon relocating to the United States in 2016 to practice as a dialysis nurse at Davita, he also earned a Master's degree in Nursing with a specialization in education, successfully completing it in 2017.

Medical Terminology Instructors

Our medical terminology course section is taught by multiple experienced instructors. See here for a full list of these instructors.

What kind of salary can I expect as a certified hemodialysis technician?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a certified hemodialysis technician is $39,723. Salary will vary based on the location and experience of the technician.

What is the job outlook for a dialysis technician?

The current job outlook is faster than average and an increase of 12% is expected through 2031.

What is a hemodialysis technician?

Hemodialysis technicians are also often referred to as dialysis technicians. Hemodialysis technicians assist MDs and RNs, providing patient care to patients with permanent kidney failure (end-stage renal disease).

What is BONENT certification?

The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing Technology (BONENT) Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician examination measures technical proficiency in certain skills and general areas of knowledge. The examination tests the following five major domains of practice and tasks performed in the scope of hemodialysis technology: Domain. Weight. Patient Care.

Is the ed2go course BONENT approved?

BONENT has approved specific nephrology educational programs. If you successfully complete the ed2go Hemodialysis Technician course, you may apply to take the CHT BONENT certification exam. ed2go is listed as an approved training program on BONET Approved Training Programs.

How do I obtain my Red Cross CPR certification?

Within the course, you will have the opportunity to apply to attend a Red Cross workshop to obtain your CPR/BLS certification.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

Yes. You will be prepared for the Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician examination offered by Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing Technology (BONENT). Exam not included.

Can I test-out of medical terminology content if I have previous knowledge of medical terminology?

Yes. This course includes two, optional, Test-Out Exam features that will allow you to test out of content and graded assessments if your score demonstrates the level of mastery required (80%). It does not count toward your overall score in this course if you do not achieve the minimum score required for mastery. Please note: Third party funded students may not be eligible.

When can I start this course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

After you register, you will receive 12 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

What if I don't have enough time to complete the course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.

Am I guaranteed a job?

ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.

Can I get financial assistance?

ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us."