As American grow older, the need for health care workers and specialist continues to grow.  Online colleges and universities offer programs to help people like you become dialysis technicians.  Dialysis Technicians, also called Hemodialysis or Renal Dialysis Technicians, operate kidney dialysis machines, which filter normal waste products and excess fluids from the blood of patients whose kidneys can no longer perform that function.   Dialysis Technicians have clinical and technical skills, and can be responsible for both direct patient care, as well as dialysis equipment maintenance and repair.    Dialysis Technician programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the field of hemodialysis and the skills required for entry-level employment as a Dialysis Technician.

Classroom instruction includes principles of dialysis, anatomy and physiology of the kidney, fluid and electrolyte balance, hematologic aspects, infectious diseases, dialysis systems and equipment, vascular access to circulation, dietary regulation, blood chemistries, complications of renal failure, psychosocial aspects, and an overview of peritoneal dialysis and renal transplantation.  Externships can include instruction and hands-on experience in the preparation of artificial kidneys, physical assessments, universal precautions, fluid management, initiating and concluding dialysis, access to circulation, patient equipment monitoring, and the treatment of routine hemodialysis problems in accordance with dialysis procedures.

Learn more about dialysis technican programs.