Dialysis Technician
Overview
Degrees Offered: Program Certificate
Limited Enrollment: Yes
Program Begins: Fall, Spring
Delivery Method: Online, On Campus
Phone: 701-224-2429
Email: bsc.cet@bismarckstate.edu
Description
The Dialysis Technician program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties required of dialysis technicians. Students will learn procedures to operate kidney dialysis machines, preparation of the dialyzer, reprocessing and delivery systems, equipment maintenance, and patient monitoring.
Preparation
Students interested in the Dialysis Technician program must be a Certified Nursing Assistant. Successful students have a strong sense of responsibility, patience, and manual dexterity.
Requirements
The Dialysis Technician program is highly selective with limited enrollment. See Program Admission tab for more information.
Students who successfully complete the curriculum requirements earn a Program Certificate in Dialysis Technician and are eligible to apply to take the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) Dialysis Technician exam.
Career Opportunities
As kidney failure continues to be a growing national health problem, there is a growing demand for well-trained dialysis technicians. Dialysis Technicians are employed in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other medical facilities.
The number of dialysis technician jobs has the potential to increase by more than 15% by 2031 (Healthcare Occupations: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). While most technician training has historically been done "on-the-job," today's healthcare employers seek well-trained technicians with the necessary knowledge and skills to fill this growing number of positions.
College Admission
Review BSC's How to Apply page and complete the college admission requirements.
Program Admission
Pre-Application Requirements
Prior to applying to the Dialysis Technician program student should:
- Provide proof of High School Diploma or GED Certificate
- Provide proof of current Nursing Assistant Certification or be prepared to obtain a Nursing Assistant Certification while enrolled in the program.
Application
Admission occurs in the Fall and Spring semesters.
Fall Semester: Applications will be accepted up to August 9.
Spring Semester: Applications will be accepted up to December 27.
- Complete the Dialysis Technician Program Application.
Pre-Acceptance
Application Receipt: Upon receipt of all application materials, the Nursing Program director will evaluate the applicant's file for completeness.
Post-Acceptance
Once accepted into the program, students will be required to:
- Successfully complete a background check, provide proof of immunizations required by clinical affiliations, and drug screen at their own cost.
- Note: Clinical affiliates maintain sole discretion as to the student's ability to participate Clinical rotations and Preceptorship experience.
- Apply for the North Dakota Board of Nursing Unlicensed Assistive Persons (UAP) registry before class start.
- Students for whom English is not their native language must complete an English Language Proficiency Test
A certain level of English proficiency is necessary for academic success as well as for patient safety. In addition to general college English proficiency requirements, all applicants for whom English is not their native language (including International and/or U.S. residents) and have not attended 4 years of U.S. high school and achieved a HS GPA of 3.0 or higher must meet additional language proficiency requirements for admission to the Dialysis Technician program.
To be considered for admission to the Dialysis Technician program, English Language Learners (ELL) applicants must achieve minimum scores.
Minimum TOEFL internet-based test (TOEFL IBT) test scores of:
- Minimum cumulative score of 86 combined AND minimum individual scores of:
- 26 in Speaking
- 20 in Writing
- 20 in Reading
- 20 in Listening
Minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) test scores of:
- Minimum overall score of 115.
- It is expected that the applicant reaches a content score (variation as determined by the admission and progression committee) of 90 in the following four areas:
- Literacy (Reading)
- Comprehension (Listening)
- Conversation (Speaking)
- Production (Writing)
Note: Students for whom English is not their native language should be aware that they may not be able to complete the program of study within the described time frame. Students are encouraged to consult their advisor before submitting the program application. This gives the opportunity to discuss requirements and arrange to either take the English proficiency exam (TOEFL or DET) if applicable or seek assistance to be successful on the English proficiency exam in the future.
Program Completion
- Students are required to earn "C" or higher or "T" (test credit) or "S" (satisfactory) in all prescribed program courses for successful completion of the program.
- Upon successful completion of the program the student will receive a Program Certificate in Dialysis Technician and is eligible to apply to take the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) Dialysis Technician exam.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, Dialysis Technician students will be able to:
- Work under the supervision of a registered or licensed practical nurse to administer this life-sustaining procedure in a highly invasive and specialized patient care environment.
- Perform the hemodialysis procedure, which removes waste products from the patient’s blood.
- Have a working knowledge of how blood is removed from the patient’s body, cycled through the artificial kidney for cleansing of metabolic waste products before returning to the patient.
- Create daily reports for patient status regarding specimens obtained for testing.
- Possess core knowledge to take the professional certification exam for Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT).