How to Become a Dialysis Technician in Delaware

Ready to try out a meaningful career where you work directly to save lives?

As a dialysis technician in Delaware, you’ll provide hundreds of patients with their kidney dialysis treatments each day.

It’s incredibly rewarding yet demanding to assist those facing such a serious health challenge.

In this guide, I want to help you learn about how to start your journey.

I’ll reveal each of the steps you need to take to become a certified dialysis technician, so you too can help patients through this difficult process.

How to Become a Dialysis Technician in Delaware, Step by Step

Get Career-Ready at High School

The first step is to earn a high school diploma or GED. Most dialysis technician programs require this.

You’ll also need to complete specific courses in school like biology, chemistry, medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology to prepare you for your career.

Begin a Training Program

Next, enroll in a training program for dialysis technicians.

In Delaware, you have options like vocational schools, community colleges, or technical institutes.

A typical program takes less than a year and includes subjects like principles of dialysis, caring for kidney failure patients, dialysis complications, and safety.

While you may potentially find entry-level work without training, your career prospects will be limited compared to a certified technician.

Get Certification

While dialysis training programs aren’t required in Delaware, it’s best to get the certification that employers prefer.

This means passing a national exam from a board like the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission.

Their Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) exam is recognized across the U.S.

You have 18 months after being hired to earn your certification.

Attend a Dialysis Technician School

Utopia Health Career Center

• Location: Online distance learning
• Length of Program: 8-week program
• Tuition Cost: $747 total payable in monthly installments of $398.50
• The course includes: Principles of dialysis, patient care techniques, complications, and water treatments
• Certifications Received: Certificate of Completion from Utopia and 40 hours of continuing education credits

Delaware County Community College

• Program: Dialysis Technician
  Code: CAR 4127
  Length: 50 hours;
  Cost: $1,250
• About the Program:
  This program is designed for individuals interested in working as hemodialysis or renal dialysis technicians. The course provides both the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills required to perform the duties of dialysis technicians.
• Curriculum:
  Students learn to operate kidney dialysis machines, monitor treatments, initiate and discontinue dialysis sessions, and more. The coursework covers all aspects of caring for patients undergoing renal replacement therapy.
• Schedule:
  Class times are flexible and determined during registration.
• Costs:
  The $1,250 fee covers tuition, books, and all required materials.
• Careers:
  Graduates are prepared to work under the supervision of medical professionals as dialysis technicians in various healthcare settings. The program equips students with the core competencies demanded in this field.

This comprehensive yet affordable program offers the foundational education needed to pursue a career in dialysis patient care and the operation of life-saving renal replacement technologies.

Delaware County Community College

Here are the details of Delaware County Community College’s Online Hemodialysis Technician Course:

• Program: Online Hemodialysis Technician Course
• Cost: $3,595 (discounted from the regular price of $4,190).
• Duration: The self-paced program is designed to be completed within 12 months, consisting of 205 hours of online coursework.
• Format: Students complete all instruction and assignments and receive support remotely through the college’s online learning platform.
• Curriculum: A comprehensive curriculum covers all areas required for an entry-level technician position, including medical terminology and both theoretical and practical aspects of hemodialysis.
• Materials: An interactive online lab kit is included for hands-on practice of key skills.
• Certification: Successful students are qualified to sit for the Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) exam through BONENT.
• Additional Training: CPR certification through the Red Cross and exercises for professional growth in dialysis care are provided.
• To Enroll: visit the course page on the college website or contact them directly for requirements, a full schedule, and further program details.

This flexible, online-only program equips learners with credentials for a career in dialysis patient treatment.

Dialysis Technician Salary in Delaware

In Delaware, the average salary for dialysis technicians is $49,000 per year.

But pay can be higher based on experience and location.

With two to four years of experience, techs make between $49,000 and $69,000 annually, according to salary data sources.