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Hemodialysis Care Technician

Hemodialysis Care Technician

General Objectives:

This course is designed to train Hemodialysis Care Technicians (HCT’s) in the basic skills necessary to perform hemodialysis functions and to be efficient and effective health care team members. In addition, to the Basic Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program, HCT’s also learn basic CPR as well as Phlebotomy technician requirements and Hemodialysis Technician functions. This comprehensive 3 component program is designed to provide the student with basic patient care theory and practical and clinical experience to work in a variety of healthcare environments. Classroom instruction and practicals will be held at Tukiendorf Training Institute, Inc. and the clinical portion will be held at local community-based clinics, medical offices, nursing homes and hospitals.


Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Hemodialysis Care Technician’s (HCT’s) are health care professionals who work in a variety of healthcare settings under the direction of a licensed nurse and medical staff. Job responsibilities include working with people whose kidneys no longer work properly or at all. HCT’s operate machines that remove wastes, salt and extra water from patient’s blood while keeping safe levels of certain chemicals. They work under the supervision of physicians and nurses. Dialysis patients generally use the machine for about four hours, three times a week. Hemodialysis technicians prepare patients, monitor, adjust settings on the machine and perform required procedures when dialysis is completed. HCT’s also help patients feel comfortable during the procedure and keep the machine in good working order. In addition, HCT’s will assist in taking vital signs, collecting specimens, perform venipuncture and perform catheter insertion and perform CPR when necessary.

Program Description:

Hemodialysis Care Technician’s must complete all 3 components of the program. The program components are:

  1. Basic Nursing Assistant (CNA) Eligible to take the IDPH state CNA exam after this component is completed.
  2. Phlebotomy technician Eligible to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) examination after this component is completed.
  3. Hemodialysis technician National Certification Exam eligibility pathways: See NNCC, BONENT and CCNT requirements.
Program Basics:
  • Comprehensive program with 3 separate components, 12 months to complete
  • Eligible to take NHA examination for Phlebotomy Technician
  • Eligible to take Illinois State CNA competency examination
  • Total of 239 theory and 349 clinical hours for 583 hours