Dialysis Technician Training Resources

Widespread changes in the healthcare environment have made dialysis technician training and certification more important than ever. As the government attempts to reduce costs, technicians must ensure that they are pursuing advanced credentials. One of the most effective ways for improving one’s marketability is to remain up-to-date on current standards of practice. The resources listed below are excellent tools that have received positive reviews from people who have used them to improve their understanding of patient care and successfully acquire expanded credentialing. We have carefully considered each resource and are confident that you will find them to be invaluable in your pursuit of career advancement and in clinical practice.

Hemodialysis Review

Review of HemodialysisReview of Hemodialysis for Nurses and Dialysis Personnel – This book has been used by nurses and technicians to prepare for certification examinations and as a way to ace the interview for dialysis technician job openings. Judith Kallenbach MSN, RN, CNN published this valuable book with the intent of providing the most relevant and up-to-date information on end stage renal disease, kidney treatment, and standards of practice for nurses and dialysis personnel. This resource is often used to prepare for exams because it covers a wide range of topics including basic principles, diseases, and potential problems with patients.

Review of Hemodialysis for Nurses and Dialysis Personnel covers details relating to body chemistry, fluids and electrolytes, renal failure, nutrition, infection control, and psychological support for patients. It assumes that readers have no prior knowledge of patient care, nursing procedures, or dialysis principles. Readers benefit from easy-to-understand language, question-and-answer formatting, more than sixty illustrations, a discussion of home dialysis therapies, a chapter on math calculations, a chapter about test-taking, and updated regulations adopted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

In-Depth Clinical Review

Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology PageComprehensive Clinical Nephrology – This book is an excellent resource for clinicians in the dialysis industry who have a genuine interest in understanding the finer details of kidney function, disease, and treatment. Some technicians use this book to improve their ability to communicate with nurses, physicians, and patients. While the book is primarily geared toward advanced clinical practitioners, it has been organized so that technicians can understand it. The fourth edition includes updated information on topics such as hypertensive emergencies, OTC medications, drug dosing guidelines, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, medical complications, and much more.

Essential Clinical Handbook

Handbook of Dialysis PageHandbook of Dialysis – This handbook was written for personnel and patients alike. John Daugirdas wrote this straightforward book as a practical guide for individuals who manage dialysis on a day-to-day basis. Included in the book are important topics such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, unique complications, and systems review. The newest version of the book includes National Kidney Foundation guidelines as well as chapters covering chronic kidney disease in predialysis patients, nocturnal hemodialysis, and hemodiafiltration. Many dialysis technicians consider this resource to be an essential part of their review and reference collection.

Living with Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease A Guide For LivingKidney Disease: A Guide for Living – Those who have worked with patients in this field understand how important it is to learn about the difficulties that they face. Walter Hunt has written about his experiences and knowledge in order to help others accept their condition and cope with the many challenges that they will encounter. When Mr. Hunt was diagnosed with renal failure, he had many of the same questions that other patients have: “Why are my kidneys failing?” “Is there anything I can do to save them?” “How will I know when my kidneys have failed?” “What treatments are there?” and “Is there a cure?”

Kidney Disease: A Guide for Living is highly readable and covers topics such as recent scientific information, how the kidneys work, diseases that cause kidney failure, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, dietary guidelines, clinical trials, and future research. Walter’s goal with this book is to help kidney patients take control of their health and their future by understanding kidney failure, how it affects their lives, options for treatment, and ways to improve quality of life.

6 thoughts on “Dialysis Technician Training Resources

    1. Steve Post author

      Katrina,

      We generally recommend contacting potential employers in your area to find out if they offer an in-house program and to get a list of approved programs in the region. You can find a list of organizations operating in Michigan near the bottom of the state-specific page.

  1. Paula Blasher

    I am currently a LVN living in Sacramento, CA. I would like to obtain dialysis training. Currently there aren’t any schools in the Sacramento area that offer hemodialysis training. Why is that?

    1. Steve Post author

      Paula,

      Much of the dialysis technician training that is offered in the United States is provided by dialysis clinics. The fact that there are relatively few state and federal regulations that affect individuals working in this field means that there is little need for dialysis technician degree programs. We usually recommend that individuals interested in this career path contact potential employers directly about training opportunities. A list of dialysis companies operating in California can be found towards the bottom of the state specific page. I hope that helps.

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