Dialysis Technician Training in Illinois
The Illinois State General Assembly has established basic dialysis technician training and certification requirements for end stage renal disease facilities in Illinois. In general, dialysis clinics in Illinois are subject to the legislative requirements outlined in the End Stage Renal Disease Facility Act. Illinois law defines a dialysis technician as someone who is not a registered nurse or physician, but who provides dialysis patient care under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or a physician who specializes in nephrology.
Technicians must complete a training program and dialysis facilities are required to:
- Establish and implement a policy to ensure appropriate training and competency
- Define the acts and practices that are allowed and prohibited
- Establish how training will be conducted
- Illustrate how initial competency will be established
- Maintain personnel files that contain proof of competency testing
- Ensure physician or registered nurse supervision
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been given the responsibility of reimbursing dialysis clinics for roughly 80% of the costs associated with the dialysis services that they provide. In addition to state requirements, dialysis facilities in Illinois must comply with the federal rules and regulations that have been established by the CMS if they wish to continue to receive federal funding. While the CMS has traditionally been silent on the issue of dialysis technician training and certification, they did recently adopt some detailed regulations. Because clinics in Illinois have been subject to state regulations for many years, they should have no problem meeting the new federal requirements.
In addition to the requirements established by the state of Illinois, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has established the following requirements.
CMS regulations 494.140 (e)(1-4) require that the patient care technician training and certification requirements include the following guidelines:
- Meet all state requirements for:
- Education
- Training
- Credentialing
- Competency
- Standards of practice
- Certification
- Licensure
- Have a High School Diploma or GED
- Complete an approved program that includes the following subjects:
- Principles of dialysis
- Care of patients with kidney failure
- Possible complications of dialysis
- Water treatment and dialysate preparation
- Infection control
- Safety
- Dialyzer reprocessing
- Certification by a State or National Program within 18 months of employment
These new CMS regulations provide an additional incentive for dialysis facility administrators and technicians to remain up-to-date on training and certification options. Few states have created their own state specific exams and most prefer to rely on national certification organizations to administer such exams. Fortunately, there are exams that meet federal expectations. Some employers allow techs to complete whichever exam they wish while others require a specific exam.
The following are commonly recognized national certification options:
- The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC)
- Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) Exam
- The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT)
- Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) Exam
- The National Nephrology Certification Organization, Inc. (NNCO)
- Certified in Clinical Nephrology Technology (CCNT) Exam
- Certified in Biomedical Nephrology Technology (CBNT) Exam
Nationwide dialysis treatment monitoring has been conducted for many years by eighteen non-profit networks created by Congress in 1978. These networks have been given jurisdiction over one to six states where they are responsible for collecting data, promoting rehabilitation, and serving as an informational resource for patients and professionals. Illinois has been included in Network 10. Dialysis facility information can be found by clicking here.
Illinois Dialysis Technician Training and Career Links
- Affiliated Dialysis Centers
- American Renal Associates
- Center for Renal Replacement
- Community Dialysis of Harvey
- Davita
- DSI Renal
- Fresenius Medical Care
- Foster McGaw Hospital of Loyola
- Fox Valley Dialysis
- Highland Park Hospital
- Maple Avenue Kidney Center
- Memorial Medical Center
- Mount Sinai Hospital
- Nephron Dialysis Center
- Presence Hospital
- Quality Renal Care
- Resurrection Medical Center
- Rush University Medical Center
- Satellite Healthcare
- Shelbyville Community Dialysis
- Summit Medical Care
- US Renal Care
- University of Illinois Hospital
State Contact Information
Phone: (217) 785-0820
Toll-Free: (888) 473-4858
320 W Washington St., 3rd Floor Springfield, IL 62786
Web Site: Illinois Center for Nursing
National Network: Network 10
I’d like to know how long it takes the study before I get the cerfication being a hemodialysi.
I need to do the ccht application I have one month than my 18 months over i need the fast way to be certified any suggestions
I have completed a dialysis technician program through Prairie State College in Chicago Hts, IL. My instructor had told my classmates that within a few months we would all be involved at certain Davita locations completing an internship so that we would all become certified. Four months have gone by and I am quite concerned that I am not the only member of my class who has yet to hear from Davita. What do you suggest we do to get this internship in Motion?
I want to become a dialysis technician in Chicago, IL. Where can I locate the nearest training centers?Thank you.
Akosua,
Our best recommendation is to contact local treatment facilities to find out if they offer in-house training for dialysis technicians. Several establishments either train their own technicians or provide a list of approved training programs. It is very important to confirm that a program offered through a community college or vocational school is approved by the employer before enrolling. We have provided links to most of the organizations that have dialysis facilities in Illinois above this comment section.
How much does a Dialysis Tech make and how long does it take to become certified? Is there any good training schools in Chicago.
Mark,
The Dialysis Technician Salary can vary dramatically depending on the employer, area of the country, and technician credentials. While there is no set salary for all technicians, most can expect to earn between $30,000 and $60,000 per year. Federal regulations require dialysis technicians to complete the certification process within 18 months of hire. Many employers offer training programs within their clinics and we encourage you to use the career links above to inquire about programs directly. I hope that helps.
What accredited schools in Illinois can one go to to become a certified dialysis technician?
Hi Tami,
Most dialysis facilities have their own training programs. It would probably be most beneficial for you to go ahead and contact the facility where you are considering working in order to see what their requirements are. I hope that helps. Thank you for your inquiry.
Steve