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Dialysis Technician Training in New Jersey

The New Jersey Department of Health has not yet established and does not enforce regulations relating to dialysis technician training and certification requirements in the state. Many states elect to allow the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to set the standard for how technician competency is to be verified. Since the CMS reimburses clinics for about 80% of the cost of treatment, technicians are compelled to comply with federal regulations.

Before the federal government took over the dialysis payment process, patients were left on their own to try to find ways to pay for this very expensive medical procedure. Hospitals even established dialysis boards that would review dialysis candidates and decide who would receive treatment based on patient age and projected future contribution to society. The unethical nature of this approach created a lot of problems in the medical community and eventually led to the takeover of dialysis reimbursement by the CMS. Today, most end stage renal disease patients qualify for medicare benefits that are designed to help them get the care they need.

CMS regulations 494.140 (e)(1-4) state that the patient care technician training and certification requirements need to include these guidelines:

1. Meet all applicable state requirements for:
   • Education
   • Training
   • Credentialing
   • Competency
   • Standards of practice
   • Certification
   • Licensure
2. Have a High School Diploma or equivalency
3. 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
4. Certification by a State or National Program within 18 months of employment

Most dialysis facilities are allowed to develop their own technician training protocol as long as it incorporates practice standards that are widely accepted within the industry. Since technicians receive much of their training within the clinic where they have been hired, applicants may not need to graduate from a formal college degree program. Employers vary in terms of hiring expectations and some only consider individuals who have a college degree and prior healthcare experience.

Applicants should inquire with potential employers to find out what they expect. Aspiring technicians should also familiarize themselves with the certification options that are available to them prior to seeking employment. While certification is generally not required for at least 18 months after the date of hire, it is something that is worth knowing prior to seeking employment.

National certification options include the following:

1. The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC)
   • Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) Exam
2. The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT)
   • Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) Exam
3. The National Nephrology Certification Organization, Inc. (NNCO)
   • Certified in Clinical Nephrology Technology (CCNT) Exam
   • Certified in Biomedical Nephrology Technology (CBNT) Exam

Every state belongs to one of 18 non-profit networks that were created by Congress in 1978. These networks were designed to serve as a means by which the government can ensure high quality dialysis treatment across the United States. Each network monitors 1 to 6 states where they are tasked with the job of collecting and analyzing data, encouraging rehabilitation, and acting as a resource for patients and facility personnel. New Jersey is part of Network 3 along with Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

New Jersey Dialysis Technician Training and Career Links

1. Atlantic City Medical Center
2. Atlantic Health System
3. Bayonne Medical Center
4. Capital Health Hospitals
5. Davita
6. East Orange General Hospital
7. Fresenius Medical Care
8. Jersey City Medical Center
9. Jersey Shore Medical Center
10. Kennedy Health System
11. Kidney Center of Millville
12. South Jersey Healthcare
13. Trinitas Medical Center
14. Valley Health System
15. Waters Edge Healthcare

State Contact Information

Phone:          (800) 367-6543
Email:           Contact Form

P.O. Box 360     Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

Web Site:     New Jersey Department of Health

National Network:   Network 3