Nephrology careers are among the hottest in healthcare, with jobs for dialysis techs and nurses available all across the United States, and plenty of chances for advancement. Get the most from those opportunities with these 8 essential tips for dialysis technician and nursing career development.
> Looking for new career opportunities? Search dialysis jobs here
8 Essential Tips for Dialysis Tech & Nursing Career Development
Dialysis nurses and technicians work in nephrology, a medical field dedicated to kidney health. And as our ability to diagnose kidney disease improves, and as the average American gets older and more susceptible to those conditions, employers are hiring more nurses and techs to provide dialysis care.
And that means demand is surging, with more dialysis career opportunities available than ever, plus rising pay rates. The fact is, whether you’re a nephrology nurse or tech, dialysis is one of the best medical careers you can choose today. But like any field, getting the best available jobs takes some extra work.
#1: Be ready to adapt
In the past, most dialysis care took place in standalone departments in hospitals and clinics. Thanks to technology and changing payment models, though, care is now available in more places, and many dialysis jobs are in outpatient facilities like post-acute care centers.
What's the takeaway? While experience in hospital critical care settings is still a must, you may discover the best dialysis career opportunities when you apply those skills in other settings.
#2: Learn the latest tech and best practices
Nephrology is a fast-moving field, with new technology and best practices being introduced all the time. So, for a nurse, your ability to land the best or highest-paying job could come down to your skills performing peritoneal dialysis. Techs, on the other hand, might be able to excel by keeping up on the latest technology, including AI-powered tools for organizing processes and equipment.
#3: Develop your soft skills
Showing a desire to learn the latest dialysis technology and best practices shows adaptability, a “soft skill” that employers often look for when hiring new staff. Other in-demand soft skills include teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask. And of course, some of the most in-demand soft skills apply to direct patient care, like compassion, empathy, patience, and the ability to listen.
#4: Focus on communication
Maybe the most important soft skill of all is communication, which you’ll need when you spend time with patients who need comfort and a clear, compassionate understanding of their situation, as well as their families.
And that's not all. Communication is possibly even more important when it comes to your co-rowers. You’ll have to collaborate with aides, nurses, clinicians, doctors, and everyone else on your team to deliver the best care, and to do your job as well as possible, especially if you aspire to be a leader.
#5: Prove your skills with certifications and CE
Whether your skills are in leadership or technical knowhow, you should be ready to prove them by earning certifications or CE credits.
And that means going beyond the basics. So, as important as it is to earn certifications like Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN), Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN), or Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician (CHT), you should also work toward more advanced certifications like Certified Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse (CPDN) or Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT).
#6: Start specializing
Earning certifications is also key to specializing in a certain area of nephrology, which can boost your career prospects (and possibly your paycheck) even more.
For instance, if you're a nurse who wants to focus on pediatrics, then Pediatric Nephrology Certification is a smart goal. Or, if you're a tech, get the Certified Hemodialysis Bio-Medical Technician (CHBT) to demonstrate advanced skills in medical machine maintenance or water treatment system management.
#7: Know what resources are available to you
There are tons of online resources to help you earn CE or other educational credits, develop your career, study for exams, and more, available to nurses and techs alike. For instance, you'll find tons of articles, podcasts, webinars, videos, practice exams, and other resources from sources like:
- The National Kidney Foundation (NKF)
- American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA)
- Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT)
- American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP)
- Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC)
#8: Take advantage of nephrology residency programs
Finally, if you’re a nursing student or new grad, you may be able to get some free on-the-job training by entering a special nephrology residency program. For instance, HealthTrust's resident program offers specialized training in the skills, equipment, and day-to-day expectations that dialysis nurses need to excel. You can learn more here, or check out current opportunities here.
> Interested in trying a nephrology RN residency? See current opportunities here
Take the Next Step in Your Dialysis Career
If you're looking for a great new dialysis career opportunity, you've come to the right place! At HealthTrust, we specialize in helping some of America's top employers find the nephrology nurses and dialysis techs they need to provide the best possible patient care. Search openings now to see what's available.
