Dialysis Technician
Career Certificate
The Dialysis Technician Career Certificate prepares students with the knowledge and skills required to care for patients receiving dialysis. In the simulation laboratory, you will practice the clinical skills necessary for the safe administration of dialysis and learn to care for the patient before, during, and after the dialysis treatment. Employment opportunities are on the rise. If you like helping others and want a career in the healthcare field, this program may be for you.
30
Total Credits
In-demand Career
Hands-on
Experience
Fully-Equipped Laboratory
What Jobs Can I Get?
This program prepares students for an entry-level position in the healthcare industry. Employment opportunities for dialysis technicians in both acute care and outpatient facilities continue to increase as chronic renal disease becomes more prevalent in the aging population. Certification is mandatory once you are employed. It is required by CMS within 18 months of employment.
- BONENT (The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing Technology)– CHT – Certified Hemodialysis Technician
- NNCC (Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission) – CCHT – Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician
Set up and operate hemodialysis machine to provide dialysis treatment for patients with kidney failure.
About the Curriculum
Choosing a career as a dialysis technician allows you to become familiar with the healthcare industry in two semesters!
30 total credits
Classes held primarily on the Passaic campus
Clinical hours at a local dialysis center
You can earn an AS in Health Science degree along with your career certificate as all the credits align with the degree
Eligible to sit for the NHA phlebotomy certification exam
What Classes Will I Take?
General Education Requirements – 7 Credits
Communication (3 Credits)
Course Code : EN 101
Course Group(s) : Communication Elective
Course Description :
This course focuses on the stages of the writing process and includes a formal research paper. A variety of writing and reading assignments are designed to develop analytical and critical-thinking skills.
– General Education Course
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Pre/Co-Requisites :
College Level or with applicable co-requisite
Semesters Offered :
Fall, Spring, Summer
Science (4 Credits)
Course Code : BS 100
Course Group(s) : Category 3 – Science, Laboratory Science Elective, Science Courses for Psychology Option, Science Courses for Sociology Option, Science Elective for English, Science Elective for Sociology & Psychology
Course Description :
This is a one-semester lecture and laboratory course designed for non-science majors for the study of the structure and function of all the body systems. It covers such current issues as genetic engineering and biotechnology and health concerns such as AIDS and cancer. Laboratory experiments include light microscopy, human anatomy and physiology, and representative dissections.
– General Education Course
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab / Studio: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
College level English
College level math
Semesters Offered :
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Career Requirements – 23 Credits
Course Code : HD 100
Course Description :
This course introduces the student to the qualities and attributes of professional character and its importance in the role of a healthcare provider. The attributes and behaviors of
professionalism and their impact on the patient-caregiver relationship are discussed in depth. The role of the healthcare provider, interpersonal communication skills, and protecting patient dignity are the foundational topics discussed. In addition, teamwork, time management and patient centered care are emphasized throughout the course.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Co requisites :
EN-101, BS-100, HIM-104
Semesters Offered :
Fall, Spring
Course Code : HD 101
Course Description :
This course introduces the student to the role of the hemodialysis technician in the hemodialysis unit. Renal pathology and the history and evolution of dialysis along with federal and state regulations will be presented. The role and responsibilities of the Hemodialysis Technician are introduced and discussed with emphasis on the role of provider of care. In the laboratory, the student will perform vital signs, weight measurement and patient monitoring as they relate to maintaining a hemodynamic state for patients receiving hemodialysis. The principles of infection control and providing a safe environment for patients and staff are emphasized. Additional topics and concepts are chronic kidney failure, professionalism, patient education and helping patients adjust to dialysis. Students are encouraged to think critically as they prepare themselves for the practice of hemodialysis in the role of Hemodialysis Technician.
Credit : 3 – 0
Instruction methods : Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab / Studio: 2 Hours
Co requisites :
BS 100 – Human Biology
EN 101 – Composition I
HD 100 – Professionalism in Healthcare
HIM 104 – Medical Terminology
Semesters Offered :
Fall
Course Code : HD 201
Course Description :
This course continues the preparation of the student for the role of Hemodialysis Technician in the hemodialysis unit. Within the simulation lab, the student will practice the setup of the
dialysis machine including programming ordered parameters, testing alarms and preparing the dialysate and water delivery to ensure a safe dialysis treatment. Responsibilities with predialysis, intradialysis, and post dialysis patient and process monitoring are emphasized along with water quality, dialysate testing and machine testing parameters.
Credit : 4
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab / Studio: 2 Hours
Prerequisites :
EN-101, BS-100, HD-100, HIM-104
Co requisites :
MAE-115, SC-201, HD-202
Semesters Offered :
Fall, Spring
Course Code : HD 202
Course Description :
This course focuses on application of the clinical principles and skills required of the Hemodialysis Technician in the care of the patient receiving dialysis. Within the simulation lab, the student will work to develop competency in the skills of dialysis administration. Additional content includes dialyzer reprocessing, measuring the effectiveness of dialysis, and care of the dialysis patient with diabetes. The importance of administration of medications and heparinization during dialysis is covered. Regulatory requirements and emergency preparedness in the hemodialysis unit are discussed.
Credit : 6
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab / Studio: 6 Hours
Prerequisites :
EN-101, BS-100, HD-100, HIM-104, HD-101
Co requisites :
MAE-115, SC-201, HD-201
Semesters Offered :
Fall, Spring
Course Code : HIM 104
Active Term : test term
Course Description :
In this course, students will study the basic structure of medical vocabulary, including prefixes, suffixes, roots, combining forms, pronunciation, spelling, and definitions of medical terms. Emphasis is placed on building a professional lexicon required for working in the medical field using vocabulary related to body systems, anatomical structure, medical processes and procedures, and a variety of diseases.
Credit : 3 – 0
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
- Lecture Hours : 3
Semesters Offered :
Offered periodically
Course Code : MAE 115
Course Description :
This course demonstrates the proper venipuncture and finger-stick techniques of obtaining human blood specimens in accordance with OSHA Standards. Basic POC blood chemistry and
hematologic tests, including glucose, HCT/Hgb are performed and results are properly recorded. Anatomy/physiology, medical terminology relating to the blood body system, and topics such as blood formation, testing and grouping, and individual blood type identification are also covered. This course meets the curriculum and educational requirements of the medical assistant program and certification exam eligibility. It also meets requirements for eligibility to sit for the National Health-Career Association (NHA) phlebotomy certification exam.
Instruction methods : Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab / Studio: 2 Hours
Semesters Offered :
Fall 15 wk; Spring 15 wk
Course Code : SC 201
Course Description :
This course covers the basic categories of drugs and their effects on human physiological systems. Pharmacological actions, effects, and typical uses, and the associated terminology are also emphasized.
Instruction methods : Lecture: 1 Hours
Prerequisites :
BS 100 – Human Biology
OR
BS 103 – Anatomy and Physiology I
Semesters Offered :
Spring
Clinical Skill Set:
- Preparing and monitoring the patient during dialysis
- Set-up and break-down of the dialysis machine
- Infection Control principles and practices
- Performing vital signs
- Phlebotomy/capillary sticks
- Professionalism, teamwork and communication skills
Important Links
Questions? Contact Us
Rosemarie Rocchio, BSN MS RNC NIC, CCMA
Director of Healthcare Certificate Programs
[email protected]
973-341-1632
PCCC provided me with the educational and financial help to achieve my goal. My experience here has been wonderful. I was offered a full-time position before I even graduated.
Observational Rotations & Clinical Experience Requirements
- Submit a complete health form, including evidence of immunity to communicable diseases, signed by a physician or nurse practitioner.
- Submit verification of current certification in American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR.
- Complete a criminal background check. Only students with a CLEAR background report are eligible to participate in clinical. If the background check is NOT CLEAR, the student must withdraw from the program. Background checks are required annually while the student is in the program, and if the report is NOT CLEAR at any time during the student’s enrollment in the program, the student will not be permitted to continue in the program.
- Complete drug test at designated laboratory facility. All drug testing reports must be NEGATIVE. Drug testing is required annually or more frequently as required by clinical agencies. A POSITIVE drug test report at any point during the program will result in dismissal from the program.