According to latest research, a dialysis technician earns almost $35,000 annually. This excludes additional perks, holidays and insurance rates for the family. In addition, to the yearly income, these medical professionals also charge by the hour for medical counseling.
A dialysis technician is a member of the dialysis center or a hospital who is specially trained to operate and take care of the dialysis machine and other equipment of the center. The expertise of a dialysis technician lies with the procedure of dialysis. As a health care professional, a dialysis technician has to perform two types of dialysis; Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis.
Hemodialysis is performed at a dialysis center or a hospital. The dialysis machine filters the blood and inculcates it back in the body. This process takes few hours and patients do it 2 to 3 times a week. A shunt is usually implanted in the arm of the patient which is then connected to the dialysis machine. On the other hand, Peritoneal dialysis is usually performed at home. People with severe cases of kidney damage opt for this method.
Salary
The salary ranges from $34,830 to $42,733 per year. Work environment also affects the pay scale. Salary for technicians working in hospitals are $30,500; while those who work in companies and dialysis centers earned $26,710 respectively. The average wage of a dialysis technician on hourly basis is $10 to $15. As the experience increases, so does the pay package. Further education will only increase the pay leading to a bright future. Benefits in the medical field are quite good. Dialysis technicians get health insurance with reasonable rates. They also get paid leaves and holidays from time to time.
Education and Training
Most careers in the medical field give a bright future, and a dialysis technician job is no different. To start a career in medicine, 2 to 4 years of schooling is compulsory and after that a medical degree. For a dialysis technician job, the basic requirement is a high school diploma. Most students train and complete their education on the job. In the training they are primarily taught to operate the dialysis machine. Various community colleges, vocational schools and medical training centers offer courses for this job. People who have done a course in medicine or health care have a higher chance of getting placements. Students can directly apply to hospitals or companies that have dialysis centers. Growth is considered looking at the educational background and experience. Junior dialysis technicians with good experience can become chief or senior technicians. With more years on the job, a dialysis technician can also become a biomedical equipment technician. Dialysis technicians work for 40 hours a week. There are two types of dialysis technicians: Dialysis Technicians and Renal Dialysis Technicians.
Job Description
The job of a dialysis technician is a highly responsible one, everyday duties require cleaning, sterilizing and maintenance of the dialysis machine. The technician also helps in performing duties that are related to renal dialysis such as checking alarms, setting monitors and testing the dialysis. A dialysis technician prepares the patient for their treatment. Before, during and after the dialysis, the technician records patient’s blood pressure and pulse rate. Helping patients stay comfortable during the process is also an important part of their job description. Therefore, being a people’s person is very necessary. The process of dialysis usually takes 3 to 4 hours to complete and it is done 4 times a week; so technicians get to know the patients over the sessions. The technicians also maintain records of information of new machines for dialysis. Dialysis technicians should possess strong communication skills for effective verbal and written communication. He/She should have the physical and mental ability to carry the duties of the position. For most part of their career, dialysis technicians are hired by hospitals and work directly under the supervision of a registered nurse. Some of them work for private clinics and dialysis centers run by private companies.
Dialysis technician is a rewarding career but it also has its share of responsibilities. With this article on dialysis technician salary, I have tried to shed some light on this noble career in the field of medicine.