Hemodialysis Technician + Externship (including Voucher)

Course Name

Hemodialysis Technician + Externship (including Voucher)

Contact Hours: 350 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

Includes a voucher to take the BONENT - Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician (CHT) national certification exam upon completion.

Hemodialysis Technicians help patients with end stage renal disease, also known as, permanent kidney failure, to receive safe and effective dialysis treatment. It is their duty to ensure high quality care for patients while maintaining professionalism. This course is designed to prepare students for employment as hemodialysis technicians or dialysis technicians. The technician will help patients with end state renal disease (permanent kidney failure) receive safe and effective dialysis treatments by learning what dialysis is, how dialysis was developed, how to use and maintain dialysis equipment, how to ensure high quality care for patients and how to maintain professionalism. This program will highlight organs and function of the renal system, renal failure/ESRD, Uremia, psychosocial aspects of renal failure, infection control and standard precautions, procedural clinical proficiency, extracorporeal circuit, and water treatments. Additional requirements to take this program include physical examination form with current immunizations, facility specific lab tests and current Mantoux is required along with copies of current CPR and First Aid cards prior to students doing their externships.

This program is BONENT approved and thus has met the extensive requirements for the quality and professionalism the industry supports.

Externship Protocol

PLEASE NOTE the following caveat regarding all externships at this time: Due to partially relaxed COVID-19 guidelines, some Physical Externships may now be available! If at the end of the online portion of training, a Physical Externship is not available, a Virtual Externship will still be used in its stead. Virtual Externships are consistent with meeting the certification guidelines and are reviewed by faculty or preceptors.

This practice will remain in place until all COVID-19 guidelines have been removed and the healthcare sites will allow students to attend with patients and practice skills without hesitation. 

 
Description:

Externship is a work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts under direct supervision of the clinical professional. Students are placed into externship sites based on availability and preference choices. All externship sites must meet the core MK Education externship objectives and verification process. Externship placements occur after successful completion of the course and student acknowledges all guidelines stipulated in an externship application. Although it`s rare, students must commit up to a 1 hour (one way) commute or longer depending on student location and are responsible for any expenses associate with such. The student will also be responsible for any expenses (if any) associated with externship onboarding requirements such as background checks & drug screens.

Please note: course of study may be completed earlier than indicated.

Outcome

National Association and Certification Exams -

The Dialysis Technician Training program prepares students for multiple practice roles and national certifications. As an entry-level clinical profession this program is ideal for students in the allied health care field. The National Certification examinations require that students should have a high school diploma or completed the General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

The exams students could* be eligible for include:

  • Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT)
  • Certified Clinical Nephrology Technician (CCNT)
  • Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician (CHT)

(Each exam has various requirements for eligibility and must be met before registration of any exam.)

Assessment

Assessment Tools:

  • Exams
  • Quizzes
  • Practical Experience
  • Online exercises
  • Lab Simulations

Outline

Course Modules:

  1. Water Treatment
  2. Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
  3. Dialysis
  4. Scientific Principles of Dialysis
  5. Complications of Hemodialysis
  6. Hemodialysis Technician Core
  7. Hemodialysis Technician CVC
  8. Diabetes Education
  9. Dialyzer Reuse
  10. Dialyzer Reprocessing
  11. Acute and Chronic Renal Failure
  12. Chronic Kidney Disease
  13. Dialysis Law
  14. Machine/Equipment
  15. Treatment Monitoring
  16. Medical Terminology
  17. Renal Nutrition
  18. Peritoneal Dialysis
  19. Infection Control
  20. Medications
  21. Sociology of Dialysis Patients

Further topics:

  1. Define the role of each multi-disciplinary team member
  2. Define scope of practice for each member
  3. Discuss the history of Dialysis
  4. Explain the following principles: diffusion, osmosis, filtration, ultrafiltration, and convection
  5. Discuss how the principles relate to dialysis.
  6. 6.Describe the principles of fluid dynamics.
  7. List 10 chemicals in tap water.
  8. Identify all components of a water treatment room.
  9. Describe the function of three components of water treatment for hemodialysis.
  10. Identify all organs of the Urinary system.
  11. Describe the function of the kidneys.
  12. Explain the importance of electrolytes in the renal patient.
  13. List five complications of hemodialysis.
  14. Explain the prevention for five complication of hemodialysis
  15. Identify the 3 different types of membranes and dialyzers
  16. Calculate UFR and TMP
  17. Identify 4 ways Kt/V and URR can be improved
  18. Discuss the purpose ofdialysate
  19. List the composition of dialysate
  20. Discuss the purpose of bicarbonate
  21. List the composition of bicarbonate
  22. Identify 3 components of hemodialysis delivery systems
  23. Describe the purpose of each component of the hemodialysis delivery systems
  24. Identify the different types of CVC
  25. Understand the functions of temporary access
  26. Identify the locations within the body that catheters can be placed
  27. Understand and demonstrate the proper care of a Central Venous Catheter
  28. Understand the risk of catheters
  29. Understand the complications that can arise from improper care of central venous catheters
  30. Describe the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
  31. Discuss the complication of untreated diabetes in the dialysis patient.
  32. Understand the functions of reuses
  33. Identify and explain the labeling system for a dialyzer
  34. Identify the different parts of a reuses room and disinfection procedure
  35. Understand the complications of reuse
  36. Understand and demonstrate proper treatment initiation using reuse dialyzers
  37. Understand adverse reactions/complications to patients caused my misuse of reuse
  38. Describe and discuss hypertension and hypotension
  39. Differentiate between the terms Hypotension and hypertension
  40. Describe the proper PPE to be worn.
  41. Understand the concept of universal precautions
  42. Understand the concept of cross-contamination

Books

All training is delivered online except for portions of the virtual Externship. No additional purchase required.