What does a hemodialysis technician do?

Hemodialysis technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real hemodialysis technician resumes:
- Maintain national certification as CCHT and attain CE's as required.
- Monitor patients receiving hemodialysis, analyze individual patient response to treatment, and change plan of care accordingly.
- Provide all facets of direct care to patients receiving dialysis treatments including bandaging and administering normal saline and heparin.
- Start dialysis by inserting needles into patient's site or catheter and connecting to machines.
- Water check, setting up machines, monitoring blood pressures, performing CPR, making bicarb/acid.
- Prepare and administer heparin medications.
- Give heparin and nutritional supplements per doctors orders
- Maintain integrity of sterile/clean fields while performing any catheter service.
- Employ excellent attention to detail, documentation, and organization in order to process coding for hemodialysis treatment reimbursement.
- Monitor patients and equipment while responding to alarms and readjusting treatment parameters as defined by establish protocols and individual patient requirements.
- Field incoming communications, perform administrative duties such as chart upkeep and telemetry monitoring with close attention to detail and accuracy.
- Key duties include processing dialyzers and maintaining accurate, legible, and appropriate documentation according to DaVita company policy and procedures.
Hemodialysis technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Hemodialysis Technicians are proficient in Patients, Vital Signs, and CPR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Compassion, Interpersonal skills, and Observational skills.
We break down the percentage of Hemodialysis Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 22%
Monitored patients and equipment while responding to alarms and readjusting treatment parameters as defined by established protocols and individual patient requirements.
- Vital Signs, 12%
Monitored the dialysis procedure by taking vital signs; recognized possible patient and machine complications and responds accordingly.
- CPR, 8%
Remain calm in emergency situations, initiate CPR, O2, assist EMS.
- Direct Patient Care, 8%
Job duties include water treatment monitoring, participation in quality improvement, vascular access monitoring and direct patient care.
- Infection Control, 8%
Followed infection control procedures Ensured efficacy of treatments through monitoring of treatment regimens.
- Blood Samples, 5%
Obtained blood samples/cultures specimens* Calculated and adjusted fluid removal rates of patients per protocol and prescription.
Most hemodialysis technicians use their skills in "patients," "vital signs," and "cpr" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential hemodialysis technician responsibilities here:
Compassion. The most essential soft skill for a hemodialysis technician to carry out their responsibilities is compassion. This skill is important for the role because "psychiatric technicians and aides spend much of their time interacting with patients who have mental, emotional, or developmental conditions." Additionally, a hemodialysis technician resume shows how their duties depend on compassion: "delivered high quality and compassionate dialysis treatments to at least 8 patients a day. "
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform hemodialysis technician duties is interpersonal skills. Hemodialysis technicians responsibilities require that "psychiatric technicians and aides may want to develop a rapport with patients in order to properly care for them." Hemodialysis technicians also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "use of compassion and strong interpersonal skills to ensure patient satisfaction. "
Observational skills. hemodialysis technicians are also known for observational skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to hemodialysis technician responsibilities, because "psychiatric technicians and aides must watch patients closely and be sensitive to changes in behavior." A hemodialysis technician resume example shows how observational skills is used in the workplace: "monitor vital signs, intake/output and report observational changes to nurse perform finger stick and glucose levels check direct patient care"
Patience. hemodialysis technician responsibilities often require "patience." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "working with people who have mental, emotional, or developmental conditions may be challenging." This resume example shows what hemodialysis technicians do with patience on a typical day: "communicate effectively with patients for the best quality care with patience, assertiveness, and compassion. "
The three companies that hire the most hemodialysis technicians are:
- Satellite Healthcare30 hemodialysis technicians jobs
- Fresenius Medical Care North America Holdings Limited Partnership15 hemodialysis technicians jobs
- University Health System Inc13 hemodialysis technicians jobs
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Hemodialysis technician vs. Laboratory aide
A laboratory aide is primarily responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and order in laboratories, all while performing support tasks for scientists. Their duties revolve around arranging specimens and samples, transporting materials from one laboratory to another, preparing apparatuses and machines, and storing them accordingly. A laboratory aide may also run errands, produce progress reports, sanitize areas and instruments, and properly dispose of chemicals and other hazardous waste. Furthermore, it is crucial to implement the laboratory's safety policies and regulations, ensuring a safe and healthy laboratory environment for everyone.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a hemodialysis technician are more likely to require skills like "vital signs," "cpr," "direct patient care," and "infection control." On the other hand, a job as a laboratory aide requires skills like "specimen handling," "lab equipment," "phlebotomy," and "cleanliness." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Laboratory aides earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $31,856. On the other hand, hemodialysis technicians are paid more in the health care industry with an average salary of $41,070.The education levels that laboratory aides earn slightly differ from hemodialysis technicians. In particular, laboratory aides are 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a hemodialysis technician. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hemodialysis technician vs. Laboratory supervisor
The primary job of laboratory supervisors is to oversee the daily operations of laboratories. They are responsible for facilitating the collection, analysis, and interpretation of laboratory results. Other responsibilities include supervising personnel, managing the operating budget of the laboratory, and hiring employees. Laboratory supervisors are responsible for overseeing quality assurance and enforcing practices to ensure quality control within the laboratory. Aside from these tasks, they also manage the acquisition of laboratory equipment and supplies and resolve any technical or administrative issues within the laboratory.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, hemodialysis technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "vital signs," "cpr," "direct patient care," and "infection control." Meanwhile, a laboratory supervisor has duties that require skills in areas such as "clinical laboratory," "chemistry," "patient care," and "lab equipment." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Laboratory supervisors earn a higher average salary than hemodialysis technicians. But laboratory supervisors earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $77,667. Additionally, hemodialysis technicians earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $41,070 annually.In general, laboratory supervisors achieve higher levels of education than hemodialysis technicians. They're 9.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hemodialysis technician vs. Accessioner
An accessioner works at laboratories where they are primarily in charge of managing and organizing specimens, assisting scientists as needed. Their responsibilities include receiving and verifying samples, labeling and preparing specimens according to its purpose, updating databases, disposing of waste properly, and examining samples for any contamination. They may also answer client and staff inquiries, providing them with accurate information such as timelines and results. Furthermore, as an accessioner, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff and adhere to the laboratory's rules and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from hemodialysis technician resumes include skills like "vital signs," "cpr," "direct patient care," and "infection control," whereas an accessioner is more likely to list skills in "laboratory specimens," "laboratory analysis," "lab tests," and "specimen handling. "
Accessioners make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $32,962. On the other hand, hemodialysis technicians are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $41,070.When it comes to education, accessioners tend to earn similar degree levels compared to hemodialysis technicians. In fact, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Hemodialysis technician vs. Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist
A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples and other laboratory tests, labeling specimens, and performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Laboratory assistants/phlebotomists should ensure that the laboratory tools and equipment are stored and secured in a safe area, as well as regularly sterilizing testing tools to avoid contamination upon the use of the patients. They must be highly knowledgeable of the medical procedures and processes, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and providing a timely update of medical results.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between hemodialysis technicians and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a hemodialysis technician might have more use for skills like "direct patient care," "patient treatment," "patient data," and "hemodialysis." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of laboratory assistant/phlebotomists require skills like "blood specimens," "customer service," "phlebotomy procedures," and "specimen collection. "
The average resume of laboratory assistant/phlebotomists showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to hemodialysis technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.3%.Types of hemodialysis technician
Updated January 8, 2025











