In any profession, staying up-to-date on the latest methods and technologies is foundational to long-term career success. This is particularly true in the constantly-innovating healthcare field.

Hemodialysis technicians, like other medical professionals, need a set number of continuing education credits to maintain their certifications each year. Additionally, newly employed dialysis technicians must complete their certification within 18 months of being hired.

Choosing the right continuing education opportunities depends on each individual’s personal career development goals and needs. Since hemodialysis technicians play such a critical role in helping treat patients with kidney failure, there are many different avenues and continuing education platforms to choose from.

Here are some of the top ways to make ongoing learning a regular part of your professional development as a hemodialysis technician.

Credentialing Bodies

Those same organizations that certify technicians, like the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission and the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing & Technology (BONENT), also offer ways to achieve the continuing education units required to keep one’s certification.

Check with your certifying board to see what courses and workshops are available, as well as to ensure that any education options you pursue will count towards your required hours.

Continuing education for recertification is recommended to be approved by one of the following:

• Organizations accredited by the American Nurses' Credentialing Center - Commission on Accreditation (ANCC-COA) the credentialing body of the American Nurses Association.
• The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
• The Council of Continuing Education.
• California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, or Ohio State Boards of Nursing.

Professional Hemodialysis Organizations

Many professional hemodialysis organizations offer continuing education opportunities like workshops and conferences.

Organizations like the American Society of Nephrology and the National Kidney Foundation are just two examples.

These can also be helpful resources to follow in order to stay up-to-date on the latest regulations, standards and best practices in renal care.

Conferences

Although conferences were put on hold during the pandemic, they are now making a comeback.

Not only are nephrology conferences a great way to continue your education, they also provide networking opportunities and a unique, hands-on learning experience.

Many conferences offer accredited nephrology continuing medical education through live sessions, webinars and other events.

Employer Training

However, healthcare organizations and dialysis clinic employers do offer in-house learning opportunities or facilitate training sessions with external providers especially when it comes to using technology and tools, although they are not part of the certification curriculum.

At Transonic, for example, we work closely with organizations that use our ​​HD03 Hemodialysis Monitor to make sure all staff, including hemodialysis technicians, are trained on how to best use these devices. We also provide numerous other resources from handbooks to webinars which support the continued success of the medical professionals working with our technology.

If you use an HD03 Monitor, check with your employer if you would like additional training.

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