Do you have a passion for helping and working in the healthcare industry?
Consider working as a dialysis technician in the Oklahoma area.
It is a very rewarding job that can branch out to other roles if you wish to try something different.
In this article, I have provided the requirements you need, the salary, and where you can study to become a dialysis technician in Oklahoma.
Page Navigation
- How to Become a Dialysis Technician in Oklahoma- An Easy-to-Follow Study Guide
- The Requirements to Be a Dialysis Technician in Oklahoma
- Certifications For a Dialysis Technician in Oklahoma
- Dialysis Technician Schools in Oklahoma
- Other Places Where You Can Obtain Training and Work Experience
- The Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Become a Dialysis Technician in Oklahoma- An Easy-to-Follow Study Guide
Dialysis Technician Requirements in Oklahoma
Oklahoma isn’t strict with the requirements and certification process you need to work as a dialysis technician.
You must abide by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines.
Below are the basic requirements for pursuing a job within the dialysis technician field.
- GED or high school diploma
- Training
- Competency standard of practice
- Certification
- Completing work experience
You must get your certification within 18 months of commencing work.
The Requirements to Be a Dialysis Technician in Oklahoma
You need to have completed high school or have a GED.
It will depend on where you work and study, as some may only require you to have work experience and gain your national certification without the GED or high school equivalent.
You will need to check with individual schools and workplaces as to what they would prefer from you.
Some clinics and home-setting dialysis may require you to have certifications such as CHT, CCNT, or BNT.
Others may be happy with the phlebotomy certification.
Certifications For a Dialysis Technician in Oklahoma
It will depend on which certification you choose to complete and how long that will take.
You will, at some point, need to pass a state-approved program; however, some clinics may hire you without a certification if you are just after some clinical training.
The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission has a certified technician course.
Still, you need to have 1000 clinical hours or six months of work experience to qualify to take the exam.
You can check with BONENT, as they offer certifications for hemodialysis technicians.
You will need a GED or high school certificate and six months of work experience to take the exam.
If you don’t have a high school diploma or GED, you can apply to take the exam after completing four years of work experience.
Dialysis Technician Schools in Oklahoma
Calhoun Community College
The Calhoun Community College offers a 50-hour program perfect for those wanting to work as a dialysis technician.
The good thing about this course is it gives you the choice of either studying online and then completing in-house clinical work or doing the course in a classroom setting.
The course runs for six months and will cost $1,299 to complete online.
If you prefer a classroom setting, you can expect to pay $999, but this will include the books you need for the course.
The classroom setting will run two days a week starting at 6 pm.
Alabama State University
Alabama State University has a great course to complete online to receive your dialysis technician certification.
Students from other states can study this course, given it is all online, and then they can just do their clinical work in their hometown.
The cost is $4,190 and runs for 12 months.
You can study at your own pace if you complete the course within 12 months.
The course compiles 205 hours, and you will receive a CPR certificate during the course.
Other Places Where You Can Obtain Training and Work Experience
The links below are great resources for you to take a look at.
They offer training and clinical work experience for those completing a dialysis technician course.
Top 2 Schools in Oklahoma
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Calhoun Community College | 6250 US-31, Tanner, AL 35671, United States |
| Alabama State University | 915 S Jackson St, Montgomery, AL 36104, United States |
The Salary
The average annual income is $34,672, with a range of $31,626 and $38,709.
The salary can change depending on the setting you are working in, your skills and certifications, and how often you are working.
You can earn more if you choose to further your career as a dialysis technician.
You can progress your dream career by either specializing in a particular area of renal failure, completing more courses such as a nurse practitioner in nephrology, or taking on lead roles in the job field.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dialysis Technicians in Oklahoma
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $34,256 |
| Tulsa | $35,715 |
| Norman | $34,031 |
| Lawton | $31,912 |
| Broken Arrow | $35,602 |
| Edmond | $34,143 |
| Muskogee | $35,377 |
| Enid | $33,918 |
| Bartlesville | $35,377 |
| Stillwater | $33,918 |
Regional Salary in Oklahoma
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enid, OK | 60 | $52,460 | $25.22 | $80,180 | $28,730 |
| Lawton, OK | 130 | $54,550 | $26.23 | $75,460 | $31,090 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 2,380 | $56,260 | $27.05 | $79,760 | $33,970 |
| Tulsa, OK | 970 | $56,160 | $27 | $79,200 | $33,200 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a License to Work in Oklahoma As a Dialysis Technician?
In Oklahoma, you are only required to have a national-level certification to work as a dialysis technician.
However, further skills and studies are favorable when looking for work.
What Skills Are Needed to Work As a Dialysis Technician in Oklahoma
You must have certain skills to work as a dialysis technician.
Take a look at those below:
- Have a technical mind
- Compassion
- Good communication
- Willing to learn
- Able to handle dealing with blood
- Infection control as you are dealing with body fluids
- Empathy
- Willing to learn about the patient’s concerns and treatment
What Does a Dialysis Technician in Oklahoma Do?
When working as a dialysis technician, you are responsible for patient care.
You need to set up the machine, needle patients, and start their machine.
You must monitor the patients while they undergo treatment and ensure they adhere to fluid restrictions.
You will also unhook and clean the machine after treatment has finished.
You will record details in their patient files and work with doctors and specialists to ensure they get the right care for their medical diagnoses.
Is a Dialysis Technician in Oklahoma a Hard Job?
Sometimes, like any other job, you will have busier days than others.
It can be physically demanding, and you must provide care and emotional support for the patients.
At the end of their treatment, you are rewarded with the fact they can go home to their family.
Without dialysis staff, treatment wouldn’t be available to patients who need it to survive.
