Dialysis Technician

OBJECTIVE                                                                                                                                    The objective of the Dialysis Technician training program is to prepare students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to become competent and safe Dialysis Technicians. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and rigorous education in the principles and practices of dialysis technology, including patient care, equipment operation and maintenance, infection control, and safety protocols.


DESCRIPTION                                                                                                                                The Dialysis Technician program will provide training for those who wish to work in clinical and administrative areas of Renal healthcare and enable students to gain knowledge and skills necessary for employment in a medical setting. Students develop skills in front-office administration with an introduction to health insurance and basic billing practices. The clinical portion focuses on direct renal patient contact and typical clinical and laboratory skills, such as dialyzing procedures, phlebotomy, fistula care, canalization, injections, and lab screenings. Students also learn to observe Universal Precautions, OSHA regulations, HIPAA requirements, confidentiality, and the legal aspects applicable to any healthcare environment. The duties of dialysis technicians vary from clinical setting to clinical setting depending on the location, size, and specialty. In small practices, dialysis technicians are usually "generalists," handling both administrative and clinical duties.

EXTERNSHIP                                                                                                                                An externship course is included in this program to provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to real-life situations in a healthcare setting. Students are required to complete the required externship hours and other related learning activities prior to graduation. Students are not paid for work performed at the externship site. 

CREDENTIALING EXAMS                                                                                                            The program is compliant with the Dialysis Technician Therapy Standards, providing graduates with the ability to test for the Dialysis Technician certification with Bonnet or equivalent examination.

Week 1:

Introduction to Dialysis Therapy

Overview of dialysis therapy

History of dialysis

Basics of kidney function

Patient assessment and evaluation

Week 2:

Anatomy and Physiology of the Kidney

Renal system anatomy

Renal function and mechanisms

Fluid and electrolyte balance

Acid-base balance

Week 3:

Renal Failure

Overview of renal failure

Types of renal failure

Causes and symptoms of renal failure

Complications of renal failure

Week 4:

Dialysis Principles and Modalities

Principles of dialysis

Types of dialysis modalities

Hemodialysis

Peritoneal dialysis

Week 5:

Hemodialysis Equipment

Overview of hemodialysis equipment

Dialysis machine components

Dialyzer types

Blood tubing systems

Week 6:

Hemodialysis Procedures

Pre-treatment assessment and evaluation

Vascular access for hemodialysis

Blood sampling

Dialysate preparation and delivery

Week 7:

Hemodialysis Complications and Management

Dialysis complications overview

Common complications and their management

Monitoring during hemodialysis

CPR/SAV procedure

Week 8:

Water Treatment and Dialysate Management

Introduction to dialysate treatment

Water treatment standards and regulation

Reverse osmosis systems

Dialysate composition and delivery


Week9

Infection Control and Safety

Overview of infections control

Infection prevention and control measures

Personal protective equipment

Safety protocols and emergency response

Week 10:

Patient Care and Education

Patient care protocols

Patient education

Psychosocial care considerations

Nutritional management

Week 11 Peritoneal Dialysis

Overview of peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion

Peritoneal dialysis dialysate installation

Care and maintenance of the peritoneal dialysis catheter

Week 12:

Peritoneal Dialysis Procedures and Complications

Peritoneal dialysis procedures

Common complications and their management

Monitoring peritoneal dialysis

Exit site and peritoneal catheter care

Week 13:

Medications Used in Dialysis

Medications for dialysis patients

Administration guidelines and precautions

Adverse reactions and side effects

Week 14:

Lab Values and Interpretation

Introduction to lab values

Interpretation of lab values for renal patients

Blood gas analysis

Coagulation profiles

Week 15:

Dialysis Patient Management

Comprehensive case management

Evaluation of dialysis patients

Health promotion and transportation

Week 16:

Ethical Considerations and Professionalism

Overview of ethical considerations in dialysis care

Cultural sensitivity

Professionalism in Dialysis care

Emotional support techniques

Week 17: Communication

Communication overview

Patient-centered communication

Written and verbal communication

Active listening techniques

Week 18:

Practice Management

Dialysis facility management

Government regulations

Quality management frameworks

Financial concerns and billing

Week 19:

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Patient's bill of rights

Patient advocacy and education

Responsibilities of patient

Week 20:

Documentation

Documentations overview

Types of documentation

Legal aspects of documentation

Electronic documentation

Week 21:

Transplantation

Overview of Kidney transplantation

Assessment of kidney transplant candidates

Living donor and deceased donor kidney transplantation

Post-transplant care

Week 22:

Pediatric Dialysis

Overview of Pediatric dialysis

Differences in dialysis for children

Perinatal care

Adolescent care

Week 23:

Geriatric Dialysis

Overview of Geriatric dialysis

Diagnosing and treating complications unique to elderly

Social considerations

Nutrition management for elderly patients

Week 24:

High flux Hemodialysis

Introduction to hemodiafiltration

Hemodialysis compatible with hemodiafiltration

Prescription of hemodiafiltration

Complications and management

Week 25:

Acute Hemodialysis

Overview of Acute hemodialysis

Patient-specific considerations

Access considerations

Complications and management

Week 26:

Home Hemodialysis

Overview of Home hemodialysis

Patient suitability for home hemodialysis

Training and setup

Home hemodialysis complications and management

Week 27:

Dialysis Access

Overview of Access Procedures

Vascular access assessment

Maintenance of Access

Access related complications

Week 28:

Anatomy and function of The Heart

The structure of the heart

The function of the heart

The electrical system of the heart

Diagnostic tests of the heart

Week 29:

Cardiovascular Diseases and Dialysis

Overview of cardiovascular diseases

Diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases in Dialysis patients

ECG interpretation

Coronary artery disease

Week 30:

Monitoring and Management of Blood Pressure

Blood pressure regulation mechanisms

Common causes of hypertension

Hypotension and it's management

Pharmacology for hypertension management

Week 31:

Neurological Assessment

Overview of neurological disorders

Approaches to neurological assessment

Assessment of various neurological problems

Management of neurological problems

Week32

Diabetes and Dialysis

Introduction to diabetes

Dialysis treatment for diabetes patients

Management of complications from diabetes

Nutrition for diabetes in dialysis patients

Week 33

Vascular Access Procedures

Overview of vascular access

Types of vascular access

Surgical procedures for Vascular access

Alternative access techniques

Week 34

integumentary System and Dialysis

The importance of the integumentary system

Types of wounds in renal patients

Vascular access infections

Prevention and management of integumentary complications

Week35

Epidemiology of Kidney Disease

Introduction to epidemiology

Population factors associated with kidney disease

Epidemiological factors of kidney disease

Management of prevalent and incident kidney disease

Week36

Dialysis in a Global Context

Overview of global epidemiology of kidney disease

Environmental factors influencing kidney disease

Resource utilization in dialysis care

Comparative dialysis car

Week37

Transfusion Management

Transfusion guidelines on hemodialysis patients

Indications for blood transfusions therapy

Transfusion reactions

Blood-borne infectious diseases

Week38

Nutrition Management

Introduction to Nutrition management in Dialysis patients

Nutritional requirements of renal patients

Common nutrition problems associated with kidney disease

Diet guidelines for Dialysis patients

Week39

Approach to Anemia Management

Introduction to Anemia in Dialysis patients

The role of erythropoietin in Anemia in Dialysis patients

Cause of Anemia in Dialysis patients

Therapies to manage Anemia in Dialysis patients

Week40

End-of-Life Care

Commonly encountered situations in end-of-life care for dialysis patients

Ethical considerations

Pain management

Grief counseling

Week41

Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement

Overview of Quality Assurance

Quality improvement techniques

Quality assurance procedures

Measuring performance metrics

Week43

Research Methodologies

Introduction to Research Methodologies

Research designs

Types of research

Conducting an EBP project

Week44

Research in Dialysis Therapy

Overview of research in Dialysis Therapy

Historical perspective

Evidence-based practice related to Dialysis care

Dialysis research database

Week45

Emerging Treatment Modalities

Introduction to emerging treatment modalities in Dialysis therapy

Cell-based approaches

Regeneration therapies

Gene therapies

Week42

Legislation and Regulations

Introduction to legislative framework

The role of organizations in setting standards for dialysis centers

Health insurance and Dialysis

The role of Medicare and Medicaid

Week46

Communication and Collaboration with Healthcare Team

Teamwork in Dialysis care

Relationship between Dialysis technician and other health care professionals

Referral to Specialists

Communication skills and customer service

Week47

Risk Management

Overview of risk management

Identification and mitigation of risks

Reporting and investigation of risks

Documentation of risk management protocol

Week48

Personal and Professional Development

Personal development

Professional growth and development

Continuing education

Leadership

Week49

Lean Six Sigma methodology

Introduction to Lean Six Sigma methodology

Six Sigma principles

Using Six Sigma to identify dialysis center challenges

Ways to use LSS in dialysis care

Week50

Certification and Accreditation

Overview of Certification

The role of Certification

Accreditation process for dialysis centers

The value of Certification and Accreditation

Week 51

Careers and Opportunities

Career paths within Dialysis Therapy

Industry trends in Dialysis care

Laws and regulations that affect Dialysis careers

Professional organizations and affiliations

Week 52

Review and Exam Preparation

Review of the topics and concepts covered in the course

Examination preparation

-Final Examination

-Clinical Competency Check Off

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Length: 960 clock hours/52 Instructional Weeks

Awarded: Diploma

Program Credit: 58

Mode of Delivery: (online & in person)

Registration: $15,000.00

Tuition: $520,000.00

Lab Fee: $9,000.00

Uniform: $10,000.00

Course Material: $27,000.00

Insurance: Contact the accounts department for more information