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Dialysis technicians are healthcare professionals who perform the basic tasks required to provide dialysis treatments to patients who suffer from advanced stages of kidney failure. Technicians have played an important role in the dialysis process for many years, but the recent surge in diabetes and heart disease in the United States has led to an increase in job opportunities for qualified individuals. Those who feel that they are well suited to a fast paced and challenging career in the medical industry should seriously consider investigating the possibility of becoming a dialysis technician. Today, large dialysis companies are struggling to find enough technicians to meet the growing demand for dialysis therapy across the country. Much of this demand can be attributed to the damaging effects that common diet and exercise related diseases can have on the ability of the kidneys to function properly. Successful technicians must possess a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of a kidney if they hope to provide comprehensive care to the patients that they help manage on a daily basis. A proactive approach to learning about the kidneys and the dialysis process will give new technicians a leg up in the employment process. Most people have two kidneys which are located at the lower back portion of the abdomen just below the liver and spleen. These structures are not much larger than a human fist, but they serve a critically important role in human survival. The kidneys are surrounded by a hard capsule that protects the internal structures from being damaged by everyday forces that affect the body. Within the kidneys, there are different layers of tissue that contain a system of blood vessels and tubes which are used to filter excess water and waste from the bloodstream. As blood enters the kidneys, it passes by a membrane that contains tiny pores that are designed to allow water and small particles to pass from the bloodstream and into a collection tube. This tube transports filtrate through a series of loops that are designed to allow the body to reabsorb water and nutrients that it can still use. Water and waste that can no longer be used is transported to a larger tube that connects to the bladder. Once this fluid enters the bladder, it is considered urine which is stored until and individual has the opportunity to urinate. There are many diseases that are capable of damaging the kidneys to the point where they can no longer filter water and waste from the bloodstream. Diabetes and heart disease are two of the most common diseases that technicians will encounter as they carry out their daily routine. It is important that technicians take a proactive approach to learning about how the kidneys function and what effect each disease has on the kidneys so that they are in a better position to answer questions that patients might have as they grapple with the prospect of life-long dialysis treatments. In addition, knowledgeable technicians are in high demand because they can perform tasks that would otherwise require the advanced training and specialized skills that nephrology nurses and physicians possess. Since these specialists are already burdened by high patient loads, they are especially appreciative when technicians are better prepared to help them manage patients in a more efficient manner. This better enables the healthcare community to address the rising demand for dialysis therapy and allows technicians to further strengthen their career prospects. In addition to understanding how to perform the basic tasks required to get patients setup for dialysis treatments, technicians need to be able to empathize with the situation that patients are in and be prepared to offer emotional support as patients experience high levels of anxiety and depression. The process of receiving dialysis therapy is one that requires multiple trips to a clinic each week for therapy that can often last many hours. This routine can be extremely disruptive to an individual’s normal schedule and can cause severe depression. Technicians who possess the necessary skills and personality to provide this level of care will find that they can expect a higher dialysis technician salary and benefit from many more job opportunities compared to less qualified individuals. Readers who feel that a career as a dialysis technician might be the right move for them are encouraged to start learning about the dialysis technician training and certification process in their state. Details about state specific requirements can be found by clicking this link. Here, visitors will find detailed information about the dialysis process along with state requirements and links to local employers. These resources are invaluable in helping individuals enter the technician career field and can help advance one's career more rapidly.
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dialysis technician, kidney failure, end stage renal disease,
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