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Dialysis Technician Training in West Virginia

The West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses is the agency responsible for dialysis technician training and certification requirements in the state of West Virginia. Applicants for the dialysis technician credential must complete a board approved training program and submit the certification application along with the associated fee. Technicians from other states may receive technician certification through endorsement.

According to the laws of West Virginia, a registered professional nurse may delegate care to a dialysis technician if the technician has completed all Board certification requirements, the nurse considers the technician to be competent, and the technician provides care under the direct supervision of the nurse. In order to be certified by the Board, a technician must demonstrate the following:

1. Good moral character
2. Has acquired a high school diploma or equivalent
3. Has completed an approved training program
4. Has achieved national certification
5. Has met all other qualifications

In addition to compliance with West Virginia regulations, a dialysis technician must adhere to standards established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The CMS is responsible for reimbursing dialysis facilities in the United States for approximately 80% of the costs associated with delivery of care. The federal government assigned this responsibility to the CMS so that patients who suffer from end stage renal disease could receive the treatment they need despite their ability to pay for such services. In the past, patients were selected for treatment based on their age and projected future contribution to society.

CMS regulations 494.140 (e)(1-4) state that the patient care technician training and certification requirements must have the following expectations…

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

Dialysis employers vary in terms of the type of formal education and experience that they expect from applicants. Most facilities have designed their own technician training programs that include commonly accepted standards of practice and facility specific topics. State and federal regulations require facilities to include education on a wide range of topics. Upon completion of the training program, most technicians will work for a period of 6 to 18 months prior to sitting for a certification examination.

National Certification Organizations:

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

The federal government began monitoring the quality of dialysis treatment being provided by facilities throughout the United States in 1978. In order to accomplish this monumental task, Congress created 18 non-profit renal networks that are responsible for collecting data, performing statistical analysis, providing patient education, and acting as a resource for facility personnel in one to six states. West Virginia is a member of Network 5 along with the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

West Virginia Dialysis Technician Training and Career Links

1. Charleston Area Medical Center
2. Charleston Nephrology
3. Davita
4. Fresenius Medical Care
5. Renal Ventures Management
6. The Kidney Center
7. West Virginia University Hospitals
8. Wheeling Renal Care

State Contact Information

Phone:          (304) 558-3596
Fax:               (304) 558-3666
Email:           rnboard@wv.gov

101 Dee Dr, Ste 102     Charleston, WV 25311-1620

Web Site:     West Virginia Board of Nursing

National Network:   Network 5