Hemodialysis technicians are professionals who help registered nurses to care for patients who are experiencing kidney failure. This type of professional must prepare a machine that removes blood from a patient, filters wastes out of the blood, and puts the blood back into the patient’s body, in addition to monitoring a patient during the medical procedure. These individuals need to have solid interpersonal skills and be able to communicate well. Several factors affect a hemodialysis technician's salary, including his or her levels of education and the locations in which he or she practices. The types of establishments in which hemodialysis technicians work and their years of experience also impact their pay levels.
A major factor that affects a hemodialysis technician’s salary is the person’s level of education. Employers typically require a professional in this field to have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent certification. Earning a one-year certificate or two-year associate degree in clinical hemodialysis, however, will result in a higher level of income. Companies are willing to pay more for a college-trained technician because this type of individual gains a stronger background in the specific job skills required to perform medical documentation and prepare dialysis machines for patients, and thus requires less on-the-job training.
The location of a worker in this industry also plays a role in the amount of money he or she is paid. For instance, a hemodialysis technician's salary is greater in a large metropolitan area than in a smaller, more rural vicinity. Medical facilities in bigger cities serve more patients and, therefore, have larger amounts of revenue to use for paying employees such as hemodialysis technicians.
The type of building in which a field professional works also impacts his or her level of income. A hemodialysis technician's salary often is higher in hospitals than in outpatient clinics, for example. This can be attributed to the fact that hospitals meet the needs of a greater number of patients than do smaller establishments and have larger budgets with which to work.
Years of experience and certifications additionally contribute to salary expectations in this healthcare career area. For instance, a person with more than 20 years of experience as a hemodialysis technician might earn almost three times the amount an individual with less than a year of experience would receive. Also, if a hemodialysis technician completes and passes an exam through an industry board and becomes certified, he or she can demand a higher salary because certification proves to employers that an individual is proficient in his or her area of study. Different types of certifications in this aspect of the healthcare field also affect a hemodialysis technician's salary.
