Dialysis technicians play a critical role in the healthcare sector in Tennessee by providing dialysis treatment to patients suffering from kidney problems.
Their main duty is to operate and maintain dialysis machines and monitor treatment progress among the patients.
If you want to join the healthcare industry without a degree, becoming a dialysis technician can be your best career path.
This guide provides the measures you can take to become a dialysis technician in Tennessee.
Page Navigation
- Becoming a Dialysis Technician in Tennessee: Step-by-Step Approach
- Schools for Dialysis Technicians in Tennessee
- University of Tennessee – Martin
- Clemson University
- Phlebotomy Career Training (PCT)
- South West Tennessee Community College
- Chattanooga State Community College
- Nashville State Community College
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Knoxville
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Nashville
- Top 8 Schools in Tennessee
- Salary for Dialysis Technician in Tennessee
- Becoming a Certified Dialysis Technician in Tennessee: What You Should Know?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Becoming a Dialysis Technician in Tennessee: Step-by-Step Approach
All prospective dialysis technicians must meet the following requirements to get certification to operate in Tennessee.
Education
First and foremost, you must have a high school diploma or GED to get training as a dialysis technician in Tennessee.
One must be over 18 years old, and one should have passed in subjects that include chemistry, biology, anatomy, or courses related to pharmacy technician programs.
Complete an Accredited Training Program
All aspiring dialysis technicians must complete a program accredited by the Tennessee Department of Health.
The programs are designed to equip the students with the necessary skills and knowledge required to handle dialysis procedures.
Training programs are offered by technical colleges, vocational colleges, community colleges, or universities.
Upon completion of the training program, which can take between six and 12 months, one must acquire practical skills in a clinical setting to gain hands-on experience to improve their competence in performing dialysis procedures.
Certification
When you complete your training program, you must write and pass a national certification exam to be able to practice as a certified dialysis technician in Tennessee.
The certification offered by the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT), is the most recognized in Tennessee.
Other forms of certifications are administered by nationally recognized organizations such as the National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO).
Alternatively, you can also obtain certification like the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) offered by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC).
The CCHT is designed to ensure that dialysis technicians have the appropriate knowledge and skills to provide quality patient care.
The exam fee for the CCHT practice test is $30, and you have 90 days to complete it.
Once you obtain your certification, you must maintain it and keep pace with the changes that might take place to remain marketable.
Schools for Dialysis Technicians in Tennessee
Several schools offer dialysis training programs in Tennessee.
If you want to join this sector, the following are some of the institutions you can consider to train as a dialysis technician.
University of Tennessee – Martin
University of Tennessee Martin offers a dialysis technician online certification course that can be completed between four and six months.
The course costs about $1299, and it offers a lot of opportunities for employment in the fast-growing field.
Clemson University
Clemson University offers different vocational training programs in the healthcare sector.
Hemodialysis technician certification is among the renowned courses offered by the institution.
The online program costs about $3000 and is designed to equip students with the right theoretical knowledge and necessary skills required to handle dialysis procedures.
The program mainly focuses on dialysis operation protocols, hemodialysis principles, kidney disease management, and other issues related to dialysis treatment.
Phlebotomy Career Training (PCT)
Phlebotomy Career Training (PTC) offers vocational training courses in the medical field. Its online Hemodialysis Technician Certification program costs $499, and it is designed to produce experienced healthcare professionals with outstanding skills and knowledge related to the human renal system and kidney dialysis.
The institution offers small class sizes to ensure the students get optimum attention during training.
The program includes classwork, practical training, and internships to help candidates acquire superior knowledge in the field of hemodialysis.
South West Tennessee Community College
The South West Tennessee Community College prepares aspiring dialysis technicians to obtain the BONENT Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) certification upon completion of their training.
This certification is one of the most popular in Tennessee.
The institution offers an online training program that costs about $3,595.
The program can take up to six months to complete.
Chattanooga State Community College
You can get a Hemodialysis technician Certificate at Chattanooga State Community College for $4430.
The program takes between three and four months to complete then you can sit for your certification exams.
Nashville State Community College
The Hemodialysis Technician Certificate at Nashville State Community College costs $4372.
You can complete this program in about six months and then write a certification examination.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Knoxville
You can obtain a Hemodialysis Technician Certificate from Knoxville College of Applied Technology in Liberty Street.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Nashville
This institution in Nashville offers a Hemodialysis Technician Certificate for $4353.
The program can take up to six weeks to complete.
Top 8 Schools in Tennessee
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of Tennessee - Martin | 554 University St, Martin, TN 38237, United States |
| Clemson University | 105 Sikes Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, United States |
| Phlebotomy Career Training (PCT) | 15340 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn Michigan, United States |
| South West Tennessee Community College | 1234 Finley Rd, Memphis, TN 38116, United States |
| Chattanooga State Community College | 4501 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37406, United States |
| Nashville State Community College | 120 White Bridge Rd, Nashville, TN 37209, United States |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Knoxville | 1100 Liberty St, Knoxville, TN 37919, United States |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Nashville | 100 White Bridge Pike, Nashville, TN 37209, United States |
Salary for Dialysis Technician in Tennessee
A dialysis technician in Tennessee earns an average salary of $34,473.
The salary range for dialysis technicians in Tennessee ranges between $31, 444 and $38,487.
The base salary earned by dialysis technicians is determined by factors like location, experience, qualification, certification, and other related skills.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dialysis Technicians in Tennessee
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Memphis | $34,751 |
| Nashville | $34,962 |
| Knoxville | $34,406 |
| Chattanooga | $33,809 |
| Clarksville | $34,061 |
| Murfreesboro | $34,700 |
| Jackson | $34,488 |
| Johnson City | $32,637 |
| Kingsport | $32,760 |
| Franklin | $34,840 |
Regional Salary in Tennessee
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 650 | $59,130 | $28.43 | $82,000 | $31,310 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 140 | $57,210 | $27.51 | $77,230 | $35,710 |
| Cleveland, TN | 60 | $53,940 | $25.93 | $73,610 | $34,770 |
| Jackson, TN | 260 | $49,160 | $23.64 | $65,330 | $32,220 |
| Johnson City, TN | 310 | $52,150 | $25.07 | $74,050 | $30,640 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 250 | $49,730 | $23.91 | $74,480 | $28,860 |
| Knoxville, TN | 1,030 | $56,520 | $27.17 | $77,900 | $31,490 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 2,190 | $57,430 | $27.61 | $82,470 | $31,290 |
| Morristown, TN | 50 | $53,000 | $25.48 | $71,060 | $33,930 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 3,780 | $57,250 | $27.53 | $83,780 | $31,770 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Becoming a Certified Dialysis Technician in Tennessee: What You Should Know?
Becoming a dialysis technician in Tennessee is a fulfilling and rewarding career option.
With this qualification, you can make a difference in other people’s lives, especially those suffering from kidney problems.
By following the simple steps provided in this post, you can get your certification without hassles and start looking for career options in the field.
If you are passionate about joining the healthcare sector, it is a good idea to consider becoming a dialysis technician in Tennessee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hemodialysis technician in Tennessee?
Hemodialysis technicians work in the healthcare sector, and they are responsible for taking care of patients suffering from kidney problems.
They also maintain equipment used in the treatment of kidney patients.
Is a hemodialysis career rewarding in Tennessee?
The hemodialysis career path offers several job opportunities since this sector is growing.
When you choose this profession, you will never run out of job options.
The salary for a dialysis technician is usually determined by factors like location, experience, skills, certifications, and others.
Which certification is popular in Tennessee?
The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing Technology (BONENT) is the most popular in Tennessee.
The certification examinations test for proficiency in different fields of hemodialysis technology including patient care, safety, maintaining equipment, patient monitoring, and others.
