Q. What is a Dialysis Technician (DT)?
A. Dialysis Technicians, also called hemodialysis or renal dialysis technicians, operate kidney dialysis machines that filter normal waste products and excess fluids from the blood of patients whose kidneys can no longer perform that function. Technicians have clinical and technical skills to provide both direct patient care, as well as dialysis equipment maintenance and repair. DTs must perform their duties under the on-site supervision of a registered nurse or physician.
Q. How do I become a Dialysis Technician in Kentucky?
A. You must complete a Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) approved dialysis technician training program and submit an Application for Dialysis Technician Credential [PDF Format - 32k]. The training programs consist minimally of 400 hours of dialysis training, with 200 hours being didactic instruction. Contact a program in your area for further information about enrolling (see the List of Dialysis Technician Training Programs [PDF Format - 10k]).
Q. I am a Dialysis Technician in another state. How can I become credentialed as a Kentucky Dialysis Technician?
A. Individuals who have completed a DT training program approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and who hold a current Ohio DT credential may obtain a Kentucky DT credential by submitting the application for DT credentialing in Kentucky, the $70 application processing fee, and a copy of their current/active Ohio DT credential. You will be contacted for additional information, if needed, to process the application. When your application has been received in the KBN office, you may then practice as a Dialysis Technician Applicant until your credential is approved or denied by KBN. Contact KBN prior to beginning employment to ensure receipt of your application. Once employed as a DT Applicant, you will need to complete the additional requirements for out-of-state trained applicants as stated in Section 2 of 201 KAR 20:470 (which includes completion of the Kentucky legal and ethical aspects of training, final comprehensive written examination, and competency validation).
Individuals from any other state wishing to become a DT must submit an application to KBN. We will contact you as to what additional training may be needed to receive a Kentucky DT credential. Before submitting the application, you should also review the specific information regarding out-of-state trained applicants as stated in 201 KAR 20:470, Section 2(b). If you begin employment without submitting the application, you may be subject to penalties and fines.
Q. I have a criminal conviction, am I eligible to apply for a dialysis technician credential?
A. Yes, you may apply and must submit additional information about the conviction for review. Contact the KBN Consumer Protection Branch for questions about criminal convictions. You may also review the Criminal Convictions Brochure [PDF Format - 28k].
Q. I hold a current/active national dialysis certification. How will that affect my eligibility for a Kentucky DT credential?
A. If you completed your DT training out-of-state, then you will be required to meet the requirements for out-of-state trained applicants as stated in 201 KAR 20:470, Section 2(b). Having a current/active national dialysis certification issued by a specific professional certification organization will exempt an applicant from having to complete the comprehensive final examination given by a Kentucky approved training program. You will, however, have to complete the other training components and the competency validation process to be credentialed in Kentucky.
Q. Where can I obtain a copy of the Application for Dialysis Technician Credentialing?
A. Click on the Application for Dialysis Technician Credential [PDF Format - 32k] to access it. Click on Dialysis Technician Information for other forms and information. You can also review 201 KAR 20:470, which is the regulation governing Dialysis Technicians.
Q. When can I begin work as a Dialysis Technician?
A. First, you can be enrolled in a KBN approved DT training program, as a “DT Trainee,” without applying to KBN. Once you have completed the training program, you must immediately submit an application to KBN (you cannot practice until the application has been received in the KBN office). You may call the KBN office to check receipt of the application. After receipt of the application at the KBN office, you may work under the title of “DT Applicant” until the application is either approved or denied by the Board. As a DT Applicant, you may practice the full scope of DT practice under the direct on-site supervision of a registered nurse or physician as outlined in 201 KAR 20:470, Section 5.
Second, if you were trained out-of-state, and are not enrolled in a KBN approved Kentucky training program, then you cannot practice as a “DT Trainee.” You must submit an application to KBN and, upon receipt of the application in the KBN office, you can work as a DT Applicant.
Q. I have completed my training program. Has my application been received/processed or a credential been issued?
A. Call the KBN office to see if the application has been received. You may not work after graduation until your application has been received in the KBN office. You may be subject to penalties and fines if you are working and have not submitted your application to KBN. Allow at least two weeks for processing of the application. If you have not received anything from our office after two weeks, call again to check on the status of the application.
Q. Can you send me or my employer a copy (re-print) of my credential?
A. No. Reprints of credentials are available for a cost of $35. For reprints, an applicant must send a letter of explanation to the KBN office as to why a reprint is needed (i.e., lost, stolen, etc.) along with a check or money order for the $35 fee. Allow two weeks to receive a reprint. NOTE: We cannot fax a copy of the credential. Print and complete the DT Reissue Form [PDF Format - 15k], and then submit it to the KBN office. Verbal verification of your credential can be obtained by calling the KBN office.
Q. Can my employer verify my credential on your website?
A. No. At this time, KBN’s online verification system does not include Dialysis Technicians. However, verbal verification of a credential can be obtained by calling the KBN office. Written verification may be obtained by submitting a written request with the $10 fee. For multiple verifications, submit request in list form. Fee is $10 for first verification and $1 for each additional name.
Q. I haven’t received my DT Credential Renewal Form. What do I do?
A. Renewal forms are mailed three months prior to the expiration date. (Example, expiration date is August 31, 2006; renewal would have been mailed June 1, 2006, with a return date of July 31, 2006.) If your address on file with KBN is not correct and, subsequently, you did not receive the renewal form, you are required to submit a request in writing for a duplicate DT Renewal Application/Form along with a $25 fee. Include your social security number and correct address in the request. Also note there is a late fee of $25 if your renewal is returned less than 30 days prior to the expiration date. Your renewal form cannot be faxed to you, nor can you return it via fax. If your expiration date has passed, you must reinstate your credential. You cannot work in Kentucky as a Dialysis Technician until the reinstatement process is complete. You may be subject to penalties and fines for working on an expired credential.
Q. How do I reinstate a lapsed DT Credential?
A. Complete the Application for Dialysis Technician Credential [PDF Format - 32k] including all sections pertaining to reinstatement, and then submit the application to the KBN office. Your credential must be reinstated before returning to employment. If your credential has been lapsed for more than two years, you will have to complete a Kentucky Dialysis Training Program before being reinstated. You cannot work in Kentucky as a Dialysis Technician until the reinstatement process is complete. You may be subject to penalties and fines for working on an expired credential.
Q. Where can I obtain a copy of the Kentucky Administrative Regulation governing Dialysis Technician credentialing and practice?
A. Click on 201 KAR 20:470.
Q. Is it within my scope of practice as a Dialysis Technician to perform … ?
A. Review the scope of practice for Dialysis Technicians in the 201 KAR 20:470 and Advisory Opinion Statement #21 entitled Roles of Nurses and Technicians in Dialysis [PDF Format - 47k]. If you have further questions, please contact the Practice Consultant by using the Practice Contact Form.
Q. I have some concerns about a co-worker acting in an unsafe manner. What should I do?
A. Call the KBN office and report the incident(s) to the Consumer Protection Branch. You may also submit your concerns in writing to the KBN office. A nurse investigator will contact you concerning the incident.
Q. I need to report a change of address.
A. Print and complete the DT Address Change Form, and then submit it to the KBN office. You can also write a letter and submit it to KBN. Include your full name and social security and/or credential number along with the address change.
Q. I need to report a name change.
A. Print and complete the DT Name Change (Reissue Form), and then submit it to KBN. You can also write a letter and submit it to KBN. Include your new name as it is to appear on the credential, social security and/or credential number, and a copy of the documentation supporting the name change (i.e., marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order). Include a check or money order for the $35 fee if you want a credential with your name change on it.
Q. I need to report a criminal conviction.
A. Call the KBN office at 1-800-305-2042 or 502-429-3300 and report the conviction to a Consumer Protection Branch nurse investigator. You need to also report the conviction in writing. You can contact a nurse investigator by email by submitting the I&D Contact Form. Specific information about reporting a felony/misdemeanor conviction(s) is available in the Criminal Convictions Brochure [PDF Format - 28k], 201 KAR 20:470, or How to File a Complaint.