There is no better career than working to give people vital life-saving treatment.
Being a dialysis technician is rewarding but also poses a challenge for those who don’t want the same old job working in a supermarket.
You need specific certifications and education to work as a dialysis technician in Maine.
In this article, you will learn what a dialysis technician does, how much the salary is, and what school provides the education you need to start your career.
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The Educational Requirements For a Dialysis Technician in Maine
Let’s look at the education and certification you must complete before starting work as a dialysis technician.
These can change depending on where you work, so always check the requirements for that specific job and employer.
High School Education
Before starting secondary education to work as a dialysis technician, you must pass high school.
Studying biology, anatomy, and physiology courses can help significantly as the starting point for your studies.
You will also need to know basic math and communication skills.
You can do these courses on the side if you need to further improve your math and communication skills.
Post-Secondary
The post-secondary education requirements are not strict, but the more you learn and are competent, the better you will be at your job.
Some hospitals offer work experience where you go out into the field with another staff member and see what goes on, learn new things, and see if the job is really what you want to do.
This is another good side course to touch up on your medical terminology.
There are some online courses like anatomy and physiology that you can study online in your own time to help you gain more knowledge in the medical field.
Certification
You don’t have to have legal certifications to start work in Maine, but a certificate shows you are dedicated to the job and willing to learn more to become better at your job.
Most employers in Maine prefer candidates who are certified.
The more certifications you have, the better job prospects there will be.
The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT) has an exam to gain your certification as a hemodialysis technician.
You are more likely to be chosen for a job if you have more certifications than you need.
The BONENT exam covers safety procedures, patient care, infection control, renal anatomy, medical terminology, and machine operation.
Don’t worry, we’re going to list the training programs below which will prepare you to pass the certification exam with flying colors!
Other Certifications You Can Apply to Do:
Certified in Biomedical Nephrology Technology (CBNT)
The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC)
Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT)
Dialysis Technician Schools in Maine
Auburn University
https://www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/onlineclasses/healthcare/dialysis-technician.htm
Auburn University has a dialysis technician course that offers a fully online course.
In the course, you will learn about renal anatomy, machine operation, renal diseases and failure, how to needle a patient, patient care, and more.
The course will fully prepare you for working as a dialysis technician in Maine.
The overall cost of the course is $3,000.
The program has five parts to it.
You can learn it in 5 months; however, the online part of the course will stay open for two years, so you can learn at your own pace if preferred.
There is 24/7 mentoring and support available.
Calhoun Community College
On offer is a 50-hour training course for those pursuing a career as a dialysis technician.
You can choose between the online course or the in-class course.
The course is $1,299, including all the online material if you study online.
You have 6 months to finish the course, but you can finish it sooner.
It will cost you $999 if you wish to study in the classroom setting, which will take 50 hours for three hours twice a week.
In the course, you will learn how to take a patient’s vitals and look after their overall care for the duration they are on the machine.
Infection control is taught as you are dealing with blood and how to operate the machinery.
You will learn how to needle patients and learn about fluid restrictions.
Top 2 Schools in Maine
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL 36849, United States |
| Calhoun Community College | 6250 US-31, Tanner, AL 35671, United States |
Salary For Dialysis Technician in Maine
The salary for a dialysis technician in Maine is $37,500.
The salary range is between $34,204 and $41,865.
A few things can cause the salary to differ, such as whether you work in a home setting or hospital, years of experience, and other qualifications.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dialysis Technicians in Maine
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $37,074 |
| Lewiston | $36,698 |
| Bangor | $34,352 |
| South Portland | $37,074 |
| Auburn | $36,698 |
| Saco | $36,999 |
| Biddeford | $36,899 |
| Windham | $37,049 |
| Augusta | $35,337 |
| Scarborough | $37,074 |
Regional Salary in Maine
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 150 | $59,230 | $28.48 | $76,200 | $40,400 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 80 | $65,070 | $31.29 | $81,540 | $40,690 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 340 | $60,900 | $29.28 | $80,430 | $41,600 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Job Opportunities Are Available For Dialysis Technicians in Maine?
A dialysis technician is not just limited to a hospital setting you can work in other areas, such as:
- Dialysis clinics
- Medical centers
- Dialysis education settings
- Home healthcare settings
- Nursing homes
- Rehab clinics
What Are the Responsibilities of a Dialysis Technician in Maine?
- Looking after patients through their dialysis treatment
- Checking vital signs
- Looking after other medical conditions and ensuring they are attended to while the patient is dialyzing
- Reviewing and adding to patient history charts
- Fluid restriction and weight charting
- Administering other medical treatments if needed
- Dealing with blood and needles
- Starting and completing a dialysis machine cycle
Is a Dialysis Technician in Maine a High Demand Job?
A dialysis technician is in demand because the need for dialysis staff is in demand due to increased renal failure.
More patients mean more staff, and there is not enough staff to meet patients’ needs.
What Other Career Options Can I Do After Studying to Be a Dialysis Technician in Maine?
Once you have worked in the field for a long time, you may wish to try something different.
You can go on to be a general registered nurse.
This will require you to complete a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.
You must also be licensed to work as an RN in Maine.
Another possibility is working as a physician assistant, requiring you to study and pass the master’s degree.
Again, you will need a license to work as a physician assistant in the Maine area.
