Dialysis Technician Program | Bismarck State College

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Dialysis Technician Program

What is a Dialysis Technician?

Dialysis is a treatment that is needed when a body’s kidneys can no longer filter blood correctly and are assisted through a dialysis machine. Dialysis does the work of your kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood. Dialysis technicians are medical specialists trained in the operation of these dialysis machines working under the supervision of a nurse or physician. The primary duties of a Dialysis Technician include monitoring patients undergoing dialysis treatment, ensuring usage of the machine is safe and secure, and adjusting patient fluid removal rates as required. Most dialysis technicians work in hospitals, health clinics, and dialysis centers.  With this course, you will learn the professional characteristics and knowledge required of a Dialysis Technician. 


 
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Info Sheet

Start Dates

For next available start dates, check the info sheet above. 

Prerequisites and/or Requirements

The essential requirements below must be met or completed within the deadlines indicated:
  • Must be at least 18 years old prior to the course start
  • For ESL students entering the program it is highly recommended to take an English assessment exam prior to registration. To register to take the exam, contact the BSC Testing Services Coordinator at (701) 224-5658.
  • Computer or tablet for online learning
  • Mandatory attendance for lab and clinical
  • The ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds
  • 32-hour lab practice and 40-hour weekly practicum with minimal rest periods totaling 200 hours
  • Students must have a passing grade in theory/lab before they can attend practicum
  • A valid ND Certified Nursing Assistant license
  • Proof of immunizations and results are required to be provided ten (10) business days prior to the course start. Students will be required to adhere to the policies of the facility where placed for their practicum. These are not BSC requirements, but requirements of the facility. Clinical affiliation policies will be shared with you by your instructor and should be referred to for additional details and exemption allowances. BSC cannot guarantee an exemption request will be granted. Exemption requests must be inquired upon and are subject to review and approval by the facility. TB testing, seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are provided by Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health or the UND Center for Family Medicine.
    • COVID-19
      • Proof of an approved one-dose or two-dose COVID-19 vaccination that includes a record of vaccine, the date of vaccine administration, lot number, and location of where the vaccine was administered.
    • Varicella (Chickenpox)
      • Immunity via childhood disease must be medically documented
      • Positive titer results may be accepted
    • Measles, Mumps, Rubella
      • If born before 1957, 1 MMR dose
      • If born in 1957 or later, 2 MMR doses
      • Positive titer results may be accepted
    • Tuberculosis
      • May be required to have a two-step TB test within three (3) months of the start of the clinical experience
    • Influenza
    • Hepatitis B Series (optional with a signed waiver)
  • Temporary or permanent conditions limiting the ability to perform the essential student requirements must be communicated to the program manager.
Essential requirements due prior to the practicum start include:
  1. Current ND UAP Registry which will include a background check.
    1. Initial applicants must submit:
      1. A Unlicensed Assistive Person Application
      2. A Criminal History Record Check (and associated fees) according to Chapter 54-07-02.1
      3. A Non-refundable $60.00 fee to the ND Board of Nursing
      4. A Verification of Enrollment Form if applying as a student technician.

Length of Program

The Dialysis Technician program is a 96-hour program developed using an interactive hybrid model that includes 64 hours of online instruction and 32 hours (four 8-hour sessions) of practical in-person lab training, in addition to a 200-hour clinical practicum.
 

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Acquire an understanding of the principles of dialysis and perform the real-life application of these principles.
  • Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal skills when caring for clients with kidney failure.
  • Demonstrate dialysis procedures and documentation, including initiation, proper cannulation techniques, monitoring, and termination of dialysis.
  • Recognize the possible complications of dialysis and acquire the skills to respond to these acute emergencies or changes in patient baseline.
  • Demonstrate water treatment and dialysate preparation according to the Association of Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.
  • Perform dialysis procedure regarding the principles of infection control.
  • Maintain the safety, dignity, and rights of the dialysis patient.
  • Exhibit proper ethical and legal behavior in giving dialysis care.

Exams/Certifications

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to take the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) Test through the Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET).
 

Career Investment

$2,500 tuition includes online access, books, and lab supplies.  The national exam fee is not included in the tuition and is the financial responsibility of the student.  A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to reserve a seat. The remaining tuition amount is due ten (10) business days before the course start date. Lodging and travel expenses are the financial responsibility of the student.

This course is approved for funding from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), ND Career Builders Scholarship, and Vocational Rehabilitation. WIOA funding is designed to provide training for unemployment and some underemployed individuals to gain in-demand career skills. ND Career Builders is a tool for business to grow their workforce in high-need areas. Vocational Rehabilitation funding will provide training and employment services to individuals with disabilities so they can become and remain employed. To inquire about eligibility, utilize the following resources:
 

Career Opportunities

Dialysis Technicians have a variety of career opportunities, including working in hospitals, health clinics, and dialysis centers. This entry level career will introduce you to regulations, environments, and rewards in the healthcare field. It may be your life-long career or maybe just the first step in exploring the healthcare field. Wages for these careers average around $48,000 - $49,000 per year according to Job Service North Dakota statistics, and some Bismarck-based job postings advertise a dialysis technician’s full-time salary range of up to $28/hour (approximately $58,000). 
 
Contact CE today at 701-224-5600 or 1-877-846-9387 or email bsc.training@bismarckstate.edu

 

Health Careers DONE RIGHT.