If you’re looking to enter the healthcare industry and make a difference, being a dialysis technician is an honorable and life-changing job.
Your day-to-day life will be assisting and providing patient care to those suffering from dialysis-related issues.
It is an integral part of the healthcare system and provides care to patients for dialysis treatment.
You will operate and maintain the machinery that helps remove extra fluid and waste products when a patient’s kidney can’t do it naturally.
If you’re interested in how to become a dialysis technician in Kentucky, the training process, and the average salary in the state—just read on.
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How to Become a Dialysis Technician in Kentucky: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re looking to become a dialysis technician in Kentucky, make sure you do it right with our step-by-step guide.
Whether you’re looking to change careers, move into the healthcare industry, or you’ve just finished high school—our guide has you covered.
High School: Before you think about post-secondary education options to pursue a career as a dialysis technician, it’s important to set yourself up for success as early as high school.
If you’re lucky enough to have decided on this career path as early as high school, then you can set the right foundations by taking classes such as biology and chemistry and doing volunteer work at nearby hospitals, clinics, or aged care homes to get a better idea of the healthcare industry.
Training Program: After completing high school or a GED, it’s critical to further your education to pursue a career as a dialysis technician.
You will need to study a dialysis technician program at a community college or vocational skill.
These programs will usually give you the knowledge and theory required, as well as hands-on experience.
Certification: After completing your training and education to become a dialysis technician, it’s essential to obtain the necessary certification.
While there is no Kentucky-specific certification exam, you can take one of three nationally recognized exams.
These include The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC), The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT), and The National Nephrology Certification Organization, Inc. (NNCO).
Licenses: Unlike some other states, Kentucky has state-specific licensing requirements for dialysis technicians.
You will need to submit an application to the Kentucky Board of Nursing and meet their criteria to get a license.
Top Dialysis Technician Schools in Kentucky
Whether you’re fresh out of high school, or looking to change careers — any aspiring dialysis technician in Kentucky will have to complete a training program and gain certification before seeking employment.
The formal training process would be undertaking a Board-approved training program at a post-secondary educational institution—which includes community colleges, technical institutes, and vocational schools.
Here’s our list of the top dialysis technician school programs available in Kentucky.
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University offers an online certification course to become a dialysis technician.
The course lasts from 4 to 6 months and is entry-level.
It’ll teach you the required skills to become a dialysis tech, as well as prepare you for the certification and licensure.
This program costs $3000, or $210 a month with finance options*.
A high school diploma or GED is required to apply to the course, and the cost covers all textbooks and materials.
Calhoun Community College
Calhoun Community College provides a 50-hour dialysis technician program.
While there are options to study either online or in a classroom setting, if you’re looking to apply from Kentucky—you will have to study online.
It has a relatively cheaper tuition fee of $1,299, which is also inclusive of e-books.
Students have 6 months to complete the program.
Alabama State University
If you’re happy with studying online, Alabama State University offers online training programs to become a dialysis technician.
This is a comprehensive program that lasts 12 months and is a 205-hour program.
It also includes CPR training and will prepare you for the certification exam.
After completion, you will still need to look into getting a license to work in Kentucky.
The following community and technical colleges offer accredited Hemodialysis Technician Certificate programs or training in a similar healthcare profession.
Ashland Community & Technical College
Big Sandy Community & Technical College
Bluegrass Community & Technical College
Henderson Community College
Madisonville Community College
Top 8 Schools in Kentucky
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Western Kentucky University | Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States |
| Calhoun Community College | 6250 US-31, Tanner, AL 35671, United States |
| Alabama State University | 915 S Jackson St, Montgomery, AL 36104, United States |
| Ashland Community & Technical College | 1400 College Drive, Ashland, KY 41101, USA |
| Big Sandy Community & Technical College | 1 Bert Combs Dr, Prestonsburg, KY 41653, United States |
| Bluegrass Community & Technical College | 470 Cooper Dr, Lexington, KY 40506, United States |
| Henderson Community College | 2660 S Green St, Henderson, KY 42420, United States |
| Madisonville Community College | 2000 College Dr, Madisonville, KY 42431, United States |
Dialysis Technician Salary in Kentucky
Compared to the national average salary and other states, a hemodialysis technician in Kentucky makes less.
Where the national average salary is $34,204 to $41,865, it’s a lot less in Kentucky.
In the state of Kentucky, the salary range is much lower, with the typical minimum being at $32,186, and the top being at $39,395.
It is important to note that the cost of living and housing is much cheaper in Kentucky compared to other states.
The cost of living is around 8% lower than the national average, and houses in Kentucky are 23% lower than the national average, too.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dialysis Technicians in Kentucky
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Lexington | $35,163 |
| Louisville | $35,598 |
| Owensboro | $35,218 |
| Bowling Green | $33,983 |
| Covington | $36,671 |
| Hopkinsville | $33,750 |
| Frankfort | $34,282 |
| Henderson | $35,443 |
| Richmond | $34,819 |
| Beverly | $32,497 |
Regional Salary in Kentucky
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 180 | $51,960 | $24.98 | $82,400 | $29,500 |
| Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY | 50 | $52,740 | $25.36 | $74,790 | $28,330 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 990 | $53,870 | $25.9 | $79,530 | $29,870 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 1,640 | $55,940 | $26.89 | $79,840 | $32,030 |
| Owensboro, KY | 190 | $50,920 | $24.48 | $80,820 | $30,870 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any dialysis technician requirements in Kentucky?
Yes, in Kentucky there are state training and certification requirements.
These are governed by the Board of Nursing.
There is also an Advisory Council that is established by the state.
It’s responsible for facilitating the dialysis technician program.
What are the requirements to become a dialysis technician in Kentucky?
Along with completing a Board-approved training program, you will also need to apply for a dialysis technician credential, which you can learn more about here.
Along with submitting a copy of your program completion certificate, you will need to undergo a criminal record check, submit an FBI applicant fingerprint card, and pay an initial application fee of $70.
Does Kentucky have its own dialysis technician certification exam?
No, the state of Kentucky does not have its certification exam for dialysis technicians.
Instead, you will need to complete one of three available national certification exams to comply with the state and federal regulations.
Do you need a license to work as a dialysis technician in Kentucky?
Yes.
Unlike some other states, it is required to go through the Kentucky Board of Nursing to get a license to work as a dialysis technician.
You will need to submit an application through their board and meet their requirements.
