Nephrology is a specialty of medicine and paediatrics that concerns itself with the study of normal kidney function, kidney problems, the treatment of kidney problems and renal replacement therapy (dialysis and kidney transplantation).
Dialysis technicians assist in the treatment of patients who are suffering from end stage renal disease and other illnesses that can cause the kidneys to shut down or improperly function. Technicians work with other team members to complete a variety of tasks, including meeting patient needs, sanitizing and cleaning tools and equipment, operating specialized machines, and maintaining medical equipment.
Dialysis technicians work with equipment used in dialysis clinics and hospitals to ensure that all specialized machines are running correctly. They operate, maintain and clean the hemodialysis machines and gain practice in performing hemodialysis procedures on patients.
Dialysis technicians are also responsible for completing various administrative duties such as keeping accurate hazardous and medical waste logs, stocking supplies, running maintenance tests on and analyzing water systems, analyzing different reports, and distributing supplies.
They need to be well aware of medications and clinical pharmacology, high blood pressure management, diabetes management and its complications, epidemiology of diseases and infections as well as nutritional management for prevention and treatment of kidney diseases.
