By helping patients through their most vulnerable times, dialysis technicians can make a true difference in people’s lives.
As a dialysis tech in Georgia, your days will be spent ensuring the patients receiving life-sustaining treatments feel at ease.
From operating complex machines to administering individualized care, you’ll perform a set of duties critical to kidney disease management.
It’s gratifying work where you can take pride in improving patients’ quality of life during their visits.
Read on, and I’ll go over the steps to becoming a dialysis technician in Georgia.
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How to Become a Dialysis Technician in Georgia, Step by Step
- Complete a high school diploma or GED.
- Enroll in a dialysis technician training program from an approved provider.
- Graduate from the program and receive your certificate of completion.
- Apply for jobs at dialysis clinics and hospitals while preparing to take your certification exam.
- Pass an exam from BONENT or NNCC (see below) within 18 months of employment.
- Maintain certification through continuing education requirements.
- Education: There are no official education requirements to become a dialysis technician in Georgia. However, most employers prefer applicants with a high school diploma or GED. Although some facilities will train candidates with no experience, as long as they have a strong work ethic and are adaptable.
- Training Programs: While certification is preferred, it is not required in Georgia. Training programs typically last 7 to 12 months and include hands-on experience. Coursework covers anatomy, renal disease treatment, machine operation, and more. Common locations that offer training programs include hospitals, clinics, and vocational schools.
- Certification: Earning national certification from groups like the Board of Nephrology Examiners in Nursing and Technology (BONENT) or the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) is highly recommended for dialysis technicians in Georgia. Certification demonstrates to employers that you have the knowledge and skills for safe patient care. The exam must be passed within 18 months of the hire date at most facilities.
Dialysis Technician Schools in Georgia
In Georgia, there is no state government agency in charge of making rules for training and certificates for dialysis workers.
Clinics teach their workers, decide if they need a college degree, and determine certification requirements independently.
There is only one in-person school to learn to become a dialysis technician in Georgia.
I have also included some online programs that can help you gain the knowledge required
Georgia Allied Health Institute
- The course is designed to prepare students to become certified clinical hemodialysis technicians (CCHT).
- Key skills taught include phlebotomy, venipuncture, patient care related to dialysis, and the skills needed to become a CCHT.
- Course objectives cover priming and operating dialysis equipment, monitoring patients during treatment, recording vitals, administering medications under supervision, and handling emergencies.
- Students must demonstrate competency in all skills and complete an externship to graduate.
- Graduates will be eligible to take the CCHT national exam and qualify for entry-level dialysis jobs.
- The total clock hours for the course are 770, which takes approximately 28 weeks to complete at the institute.
CareerStep Hemodialysis Technician Program:
- Self-paced online courses with 12 months of access
- Live instructor support and career coaching included
- Hands-on clinical externships are arranged as part of the program
- Prepares students for CHT and CCHT certification exams
- One free exam voucher will be provided upon completion
- The total cost is $4,199, and payment plans are available
- Graduates eligible for jobs as certified hemodialysis technicians
CareerStep offers additional externship experience and certification exam preparation/voucher.
CareerStep enables graduates to enter the field as credentialed professionals, ready for employment.
Top 2 Schools in Georgia
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Georgia Allied Health Institute | 1955 Buford Hwy NE Suite #100, Buford, GA 30518, United States |
| CareerStep Hemodialysis Technician Program | Online |
Dialysis Technician Salary in Georgia
The average salary for dialysis technicians in Georgia is $57,000.
Hourly wages are around $24.
With experience and certification, salaries can exceed $79,000 annually.
Georgia is one of the fastest-growing states for this career.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dialysis Technicians in Georgia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $36,920 |
| Augusta | $35,176 |
| Columbus | $34,186 |
| Savannah | $35,321 |
| Athens | $36,656 |
| Macon | $34,916 |
| Roswell | $36,779 |
| Albany | $34,553 |
| Marietta | $36,814 |
| Valdosta | $33,642 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | 170 | $48,430 | $23.28 | $73,790 | $23,460 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 310 | $61,040 | $29.35 | $92,260 | $30,550 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 4,860 | $59,070 | $28.4 | $82,750 | $36,390 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 720 | $52,570 | $25.28 | $77,110 | $28,650 |
| Brunswick, GA | 130 | $60,020 | $28.86 | $77,860 | $35,160 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 350 | $53,200 | $25.58 | $81,900 | $30,500 |
| Dalton, GA | 130 | $48,210 | $23.18 | $74,620 | $29,870 |
| Gainesville, GA | 400 | $55,370 | $26.62 | $82,690 | $31,310 |
| Hinesville, GA | 50 | $53,850 | $25.89 | $71,140 | $35,980 |
| Macon, GA | 280 | $56,770 | $27.29 | $77,020 | $35,360 |
| Rome, GA | 130 | $59,730 | $28.72 | $91,160 | $30,600 |
| Savannah, GA | 360 | $56,160 | $27 | $85,530 | $31,290 |
| Valdosta, GA | 120 | $48,540 | $23.34 | $72,890 | $29,120 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 100 | $56,140 | $26.99 | $81,720 | $31,520 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dialysis technicians in Georgia work shifts or regular hours?
Most work rotating shifts, including nights/weekends, to cover the needs of patients receiving frequent, multi-hour treatments.
How much patient interaction is involved as a dialysis tech in Georgia?
High levels of interaction are needed to maintain lines, coach patients, and provide comfort/support through entire dialysis sessions.
Empathy is important.
Is financial aid available to study to become a dialysis tech in Georgia?
While federal student aid like Pell Grants typically requires longer program lengths, there are still some options for funding dialysis technician training in Georgia:
- Individual schools: As mentioned, some technical colleges in Georgia do offer institutional financial aid for short-term programs. This may include loans, scholarships, and grants.
- Employer reimbursement: Many large dialysis clinic employers, like DaVita and Fresenius, offer tuition reimbursement programs once employed. This can help pay for training costs.
- Payment plans with schools: Technical colleges will often allow tuition to be paid in installments throughout the program through low-interest payment schedules.
- Private student loans: Private lenders provide loans for career-focused programs, but interest rates tend to be higher than federal loans. Careful comparison shopping is advised.
- Veteran or military benefits: The GI Bill, MyCAA Spouse Grants, and VA Vocational Rehab may pay for programs depending on eligibility and provider approval of the training institution.
- GI Bill Education Benefits
- MyCAA Scholarship Program
- VA Vocational Rehab
- Workforce grants: State or local workforce development programs sometimes offer need-based grants for short-term credentials in high-demand careers like dialysis technicians.
Thoroughly researching all possible funding sources is recommended when considering how to pay for dialysis technician training programs in Georgia.
Consulting directly with program admissions teams can uncover additional aid opportunities as well.
Where can graduates find jobs in Georgia?
Major hospital systems with dialysis units (Emory, Piedmont, Wellstar, Northeast Georgia Health, etc.)
