Hemodialysis Technician

The kidneys are very important anatomical structures that allow the human body to filter excess water and waste from the blood. Like most organ systems in the body, the kidneys are highly susceptible to damage caused by illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obstructive kidney disorders, congenital disease, and many others. Some illnesses result in sudden damage while others require a long period of time. If the damage is advanced, a medical procedure known as hemodialysis may be required.


Hemodialysis is a medical procedure that uses a machine, known as a dialyzer, to remove waste and excess fluid from the body. Individuals who require dialysis are usually scheduled to visit a medical clinic at least three times each week where they receive three to five hours of treatment each time. Some patients may benefit from the ability to perform dialysis at home while they sleep. Home dialysis therapy is typically more convenient for patients and can improve overall health outcomes.

During the dialysis process, blood is directed from the blood vessels to the dialyzer through a tube. As the blood is processed by the dialyzer, it passes by a semipermeable membrane that allows toxins and excess water to leave the bloodstream. While dialysis can replace some of the filtration that would normally be performed by the kidneys, it is unable to compensate entirely for the loss in kidney function. …Click Here to Continue Reading


Dialysis Technician Training

A dialysis patient care technician is a very important member of the dialysis clinic staff whose primary job role is to help registered nurses and physicians meet the growing demand for renal therapy. Recent increases in the prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure in the United States have resulted in a large number of end stage renal disease cases. Dialysis demand has been outpacing the healthcare system’s ability to provide services. This has led to an increase in the number of technicians that are being hired.


Unlike most allied health careers, the dialysis technician training environment does not have a formal degree requirement that must be completed in order to enter the occupation. In fact, most technicians receive the necessary training directly from the dialysis clinic or healthcare facility that has hired them. These facilities develop their own approach to training technicians that is meant to give individuals the knowledge and skills they need to carry out their specific responsibilities within a particular facility. While many of these clinics will train technicians to perform a set of core tasks, there are slight differences that distinguish facilities from each other. …Click Here to Continue Reading


Dialysis Side Effects

Dialysis is an important procedure that is designed to filter excess water and waste from the bloodstream of individuals who are suffering from kidney disease. The increase in diabetes and high blood pressure in our society has contributed to the recent rise in demand for renal therapies such as dialysis. The dialysis process typically requires long periods of treatment that occur many times each week. Patients and technicians should understand the dialysis side effects so that they are prepared for them when they occur.

Common Dialysis Side Effects


1) Low Blood Pressure – When the kidneys stop functioning properly, the body cannot eliminate fluid that it does not need from the bloodstream. Dialysis patients must be aware that they cannot continue to consume fluids like they did prior to developing end stage renal disease. This can be a difficult adjustment for people who are used to consuming however much fluid they wish. When a dialysis patient drinks more fluid than their body can use, they must have the extra fluid removed during their dialysis sessions. This usually means that the dialysis technician will need to increase the rate or duration of filtration. …Click Here to Continue Reading