1. Helping Dialysis Patients Live Better Dialysis Technician Career Field 2. Dialysis Process Machine performs filtration normally carried out by the kidneys Tube transports blood from the body to the machine Machine removes excess water and waste as well as restores proper nutrients Cleaned blood is returned to the body through a tube Process requires many hours multiple times each week 3. Diabetes and Heart Disease Account for around 80% of kidney failure Related to high fat foods and sedentary lifestyle Can cause enormous damage to the kidneys The most important diseases to understand if working in a dialysis clinic 4. Nephrotic Syndrome Excess protein excreted in the urine Swelling in the feet and ankles Fluid retention and weight gain Foamy urine Caused by a variety of diseases Glomerulosclerosis Glomerulonephritis Minimal change disease Amyloidosis Lupus erythematosus 5. Emotional Stress Commonly seen in dialysis patients Results from difficult treatment protocol Important for dialysis technicians to recognize signs and symptoms Communicate with other members of the dialysis team Contact social workers about concerns 6. Dialysis Technician Profession New law requires technicians to successfully complete state or national certification Little or no formal education required Training available in most dialysis clinics Few barriers compared to other healthcare career fields Personally satisfying Financially rewarding Chance to help patients who are very sick 7. Industry Resources: http://www.dialysistechniciansalary.org/