Dialysis Technician Training in Michigan
There are no state regulations for dialysis technician training, certification, or license requirements in Michigan. If legislative policies were adopted, they would likely be enforced by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. While there is no language specifically addressing dialysis technicians, individuals working in this capacity may be considered nurse aides and may be required to become certified as such. Dialysis facilities provide a good amount of information about technician requirements.
A nurse aide is defined as anyone who provides nursing or nurse-related services to residents of a long term care facility and who is not a licensed health professional, a registered dietitian, or a volunteer who provides services without pay. Nurse aides are required to complete a training program and a competency exam. Many dialysis facilities across the United States develop their own technician training curriculum that is specific to the dialysis industry. For this reason, it is important to inquire with potential employers about their individual requirements relating to prior healthcare experience and certifications.
Technicians must comply with regulations that were recently adopted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether or not they are required be certified as a nurse aide in Michigan. The government has made the CMS responsible for paying dialysis clinics for around 80% of the costs associated with providing dialysis services to the public. This means that nearly all dialysis clinics must comply with federal regulations if they hope to remain operational.
CMS regulations 494.140 (e)(1-4) mandate that the patient care technician training and certification requirements include:
- Meet all applicable state requirements for:
- Education
- Training
- Credentialing
- Competency
- Standards of practice
- Certification
- Licensure
- Have a High School Diploma or equivalency
- Complete an approved training 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
Individuals who plan to pursue a rewarding career as a dialysis technician need to be familiar with the certification exam options that are available to them. Currently, there are three organizations that offer technician certification exams that are considered acceptable by the CMS. While the federal government does not require technicians to complete a specific exam, employers may have different expectations. Aspiring technicians should discuss their certification options with potential employers in order to determine which exam should be taken. Since certification is not required until 12 – 18 months after beginning work, technicians do have some time to assess the appropriate course of action.
The three nationally recognized certification options include:
- 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
In an effort to ensure high quality dialysis therapy throughout the United States, the federal government created 18 non-profit networks in 1978. These networks have jurisdiction over one to six states where they collect and review statistical data, promote patient rehabilitation, and serve as an informational resource for both patients and dialysis personnel. Michigan is a member of Renal Network 11 along with North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Michigan Dialysis Technician Training and Career Links
- American Renal Associates
- Beaumont Hospital
- Children’s Hospital
- Davita
- Devos Children’s Hospital
- DSI Dialysis
- Elizabeth C. Hosick Dialysis Center
- Fresenius Medical Care
- Greenfield Health Systems
- Life-alysis Kidney Center
- Michigan Dialysis Services
- Munson Dialysis Center
- Northern Michigan Hospital
- Northstar Health System
- Oakwood Dialysis Services
- Portage Health
- Reliant Renal Care
- St. Joseph Mercy
- War Memorial Hospital
State Contact Information
Phone: (517) 335-0918
Fax: (517) 241-9416
Email: bhcshelp@michigan.gov
P.O. Box 30670 Lansing, MI 48909
Web Site: Michigan Health Professions Licensing Division
National Network: Network 11
I am a dialysis patient, have a medical assistant degree, and want to be a dialysis tech. I am finding it hard to get a job as a tech because I am a patient. I have been a patient for 10 years and have worked as a tech for my externship, but wasn’t hired because I used to be a patient there, that was when I had my transplant. Now that failed and I went back to my old clinic and was asking if I could work part time with them or the other clinic in town and they told me that I couldn’t work at any Davita facility because I am a patient.
Laura,
We are sorry to hear that you are finding it difficult to become employed as a dialysis technician. Unfortunately, we are not directly affiliated with Davita and cannot comment on their hiring policies. You may want to contact their corporate human resources department to find out why you are not being hired and if there is anything you can do to acquire a position in one of their clinics. You can email them at careers@davita.com or call them through their career hotline at (866) 400-2266. Please let us know what you find out.
If I have an AAS and am interested in a technician job, are there jobs available in the state of Michigan?
I would like to know what the actual responsibilities of a dialysis technician are?
Dawn,
The responsibilities commonly included in the dialysis technician job description can be found on our homepage. The state of Michigan has many opportunities available for technicians and we encourage you to contact the companies linked to on this page about openings that they may be accepting applications for. I hope that helps and please let us know if we can be of further assistance.
Hello, I am currently enrolled in a medical assistant program. Do they allow MA students to do an externship at renal dialysis centers?
Thank you,
Sandy
Sandy,
The availability of externship opportunities in dialysis clinics is heavily dependent on the policies that have been adopted by a specific facility. Since these can vary dramatically between different organizations, we recommend contacting establishments in your area to find out if they would allow you to complete an externship. If this is part of your medical assistant training than the program directors should be able to advise you on facilities in the area that offer approved training opportunities.