• Medical Training Institute of New York

Dialysis Technician

This course prepares students for an entry-level position as a Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) with the required skills, knowledge, and values to function as members of the clinical care team in both chronic (outpatient) and hospital (acute) settings. The course content includes but is not limited to defined CHT skills, interpersonal skills, legal and ethical considerations in healthcare, and Basic Life Support (BLS).

Overview

The Dialysis Technician program at the Medical Training Institute of New York provides students with the opportunity to study the principles of dialysis and the anatomy and physiology of the kidney. We also cover fluid and electrolyte balance, hematologic aspects, infectious diseases, dialysis systems and equipment, vascular access to the circulation, dietary regulation, blood chemistries, complications of renal failure, psychosocial aspects, and an overview of peritoneal dialysis and renal transplantation.

The program prepares students to work under the supervision of other medical professionals, such as physicians and registered nurses. If you are interested in becoming a dialysis technician, our program could be right for you.

What is Dialysis

Dialysis is the process of removing toxins, excess water, and solutes from the blood in individuals with kidneys that cannot perform this function on their own. Complicated medical processes like this require a specialized professional to administer treatment.

Two Types of Dialysis

Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys have already failed due to disease complications. The two major types of dialysis are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. In hemodialysis, an artificial kidney is used to remove waste and extra chemicals and fluid from a person’s blood. In peritoneal dialysis, blood is cleaned inside the body through a catheter placed into the abdomen, which will then be slowly filled with dialysate. Dialysis technicians can make sure that you undergo a safe procedure.

What does a dialysis technician do?

A dialysis technician is a medical professional who administers the dialysis procedure. Technicians work under the supervision of a nurse or physician who accompanies the patient during treatment.

Dialysis technician responsibilities

A dialysis technician works closely with patients and other medical professionals and is responsible for a wide variety of duties, some of which include:

  • Assembling the dialysis machine
  • Maintaining a sterile treatment environment
  • Ensuring dialysis machines work properly before treatment begins
  • Observing patients during treatment to monitor for signs of medical emergencies
  • Making alterations to treatment to maintain safe application
  • Working with nurses and doctors to administer the correct treatment for each individual
  • Explaining the dialysis process to patients and their families
  • Teaching patients about additional health care to enhance positive dialysis results
  • Prep patients and give local anesthesia
  • Create written reports on patient progress for doctors
Skills required for dialysis technicians

In addition to the skills needed to properly operate complicated medical technology, a dialysis technician requires a range of soft skills to successfully perform the job. The most common skills include:

Attention to detail

Medical roles require a keen eye to notice details and prevent potential errors that could be life-threatening. Dialysis treatment requires technicians to follow a specific set of instructions. They make adjustments based on their recognition of physical changes in the patient and directions from their supervisor.

Multitasking

During treatment, a dialysis technician monitors multiple details including the patient's well-being and functions of the dialysis machine. They also must be mindful of other responsibilities that require their attention, such as writing reports and speaking with staff and the patient's family members.

Teamwork

A dialysis technician is part of a larger group of medical staff. Each professional in this group must work together effectively and orderly to provide the best medical care possible to every dialysis patient.

Compassion Working with those who are ill requires meaningful empathy skills. Dialysis technicians are closely involved with patients in often difficult times and need to connect with them, provide reassurance and respond to their needs in a caring manner.

Communication

Dialysis technicians must have exceptional communication skills. Before treatment, they will walk patients through the process and need to clearly explain how it works. They also need to communicate with the patient during treatment when adjustments are made and be able to answer patient questions thoroughly.

Communication is also important between dialysis technicians and other medical staff to report on the progress and current physical condition of the patient, both verbally and in written reports.

Program Summary

Admission Requirement: GED/High School Diploma

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

twoman using computer
  • Intro to Hemodialysis Health Sciences
  • Medical Terminology
  • History of Dialysis
  • Ethics and Law
  • Scientific Principles of Dialysis
  • The Water Treatment System
  • Renal Anatomy
  • Types of Kidney Disease
  • Diabetes & Clinical Complications
  • Hemodialysis Machine Technology-Device
  • Central Venous Catheters
  • Payment for Dialysis and Transplant
  • Infection Control
  • Monitoring During Dialysis
  • Post-Dialysis Procedures
  • Dialyzer Reuse
  • Renal Nutrition and Diet Restrictions
  • Peritoneal Dialysis
  • Pediatric Dialysis
  • Dialysis Medications
  • Vascular Access
  • Skills Laboratory Training
  • Hemodialysis Clinical Simulation
  • Professional Development
  • Career Development Services
  • BONENT-Examination Prep

WHO WILL BENEFIT

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Those Considering Nursing

If your goal is to become a Hemodialysis Nurse, starting out as a dialysis Technician is a great opportunity to explore the nursing field. You'll get the chance to work alongside LPNs and RNs in a variety of healthcare settings, earning invaluable experience and skills along the way

doctor

Aspiring Medical Professionals

Working as a dialysis Technician gives many of us our first taste of working in the medical field. You might gain inspiration to continue that career path and get a more in-depth understanding of the medical world. It's okay to share this desire with your interviewer. It shows your dedication to the field and a willingness to learn

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Job Stability

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in health care occupations are expected to grow 15% between 2019 and 2029, which is significantly faster than average for all occupations. (www.bls.gov). PayScale.com reported that the median annual salary for dialysis technicians was $40,851 as of December 2021.

Program Curriculum

Curriculum Summary

DOWNLOAD CURRICULUM (PDF)
Units Modules Clinical Lab Skills Takeaways

Unit 1 Introduction to Hemodialysis

  • Introduction to Hemodialysis Health Science
  • Medical Terminology
  • History of Dialysis
  • Scientific Principles of Dialysis
  • Osmosis
  • Diffusion
  • Ultrafiltration
  • Blood tests
  • Review basic biology.
  • Review basic chemistry.
  • Review basic math.
  • Understand hemodialysis math.
  • Learn medical terminology.
  • Learn to recognize and define abbreviations.
  • Learn how dialysis began.
  • Get to know the dialysis care team.
  • Understand osmosis, diffusion, and ultrafiltration.
  • Learn common blood tests.
Unit Modules Clinical Lab Skills Takeaways

Unit 2 Water Treatment System

  • Understand Components/Design of Systems
  • Maintain Systems
  • Monitor and Evaluate Systems
  • Renal Anatomy
  • Types of Kidney Disease
  • Diabetes & Clinical Complications
  • Dialysis-quality water
  • Ultraviolet light
  • AAMI
  • Chlorine or chloramines
  • Anatomy of the kidneys
  • Renal system
  • Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
  • Recognize actions
  • Recognize the process of ultraviolet light exposure
  • Understand the process of disinfecting water treatment system
  • Understand the maintenance of all treatment components
  • Perform water treatment system checks
  • Understand quality control of reprocessing equipment per AAMI standards
  • Monitor total chlorine or chloramines
  • Maintain water treatment systems records for compliance with regulatory and standard setting
  • Identify contaminants monitored in the water system.
  • Identify proper dialysis-quality water
  • Learn the anatomy of the kidneys.
  • Learn the role of the renal system
  • Cover the signs and symptoms associated with kidney failure.
  • Learn the difference between chronic kidney disease and acute kidney failure.
  • Learn what options patients have once diagnosed.
  • Learn the possible complications that can happen within the clinic.
  • Learn the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
  • Consider the impact of diabetes on the kidneys
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THE MTI ADVANTAGE

  • Experience Faculty and Staff
  • 100% Medical and Healthcare Programs
  • State-of-the-Art Medical Equipment
  • State-of-the-Art Classrooms
  • All instructors are Practitioners as well as Instructors in their field
  • Workshops to enter the Workforce
  • Guaranteed Internships/Externships (Hands on Training)
  • Affiliated with top Hospitals and clinics
  • Career Development Skill
  • Job placement Assistant

Total Program Cost:

Program Dialysis Technician
Hours 160
Application Fee: $100
Tuition: $2,200
Technology Fee: $200
Clinical & Lab Fee: $600
Book Fee: $142
Uniform Fee: $66
Total Cost: $3,308

Fees

Registration Fee

A non-refundable Registration Fee of $100 was due during registration to reserve a seat.

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Clinical/Lab Fee

Clinical/Lab Fee is used to cover the cost of Liability insurance policy and student lab operations and to provide students with Liability Insurance at clinical rotation internship sites.

people doing lab work

Technology Fees:

Technology Fee provides students with Online Learning Resources, the learning management system, and the student portal.

nurse using computer

Books:

Students are required to purchase all textbooks on their own. Textbook costs are estimated at $150.00

Required books can be purchased from the school bookstore or online at portal.mtiofnewyork.com/stores.

book and stethoscope

Uniform Fee

Students are required to purchase MTI logo scrubs on their own. MTI logo scrubs can be purchased from the school bookstore or online at portal.mtiofnewyork.com/stores.

health workers uniform

Tuition

Dialysis Technician Program is $1,450 for the quarter, and a total of $3,100.00 for the entire program, with tuition payments due as follows:

students using laptops
Quarter Cost
Prior to Quarter 1 $3,100

Schedule of Sessions

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Morning Classes

The Morning program will be 5 hours per day, Monday-Wednesday. 16-20 hours per week for approximately 8-10 weeks

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Evening Classes

The Evening program will be 4 hours per day, Monday-Thursday. 4 days per week for approximately 10 weeks.

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Weekend Classes

The Weekend program will be 8 hours per day, Saturdays and Sundays, 16 hours per week for approximately 10 weeks.

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