Patient Care Dialysis Technician

# Dialysis Technician **Learn what it takes to support dialysis care by working with patients, equipment and routines that demand skill and accuracy.**  Train for a career in dialysis care by combining technical skills with medical understanding in this interactive VR simulation. Based on the Core Curriculum for the Dialysis Technician (6th Edition), students learn how dialysis works and why it is needed, building familiarity with the tools, routines, and teamwork that shape this health care setting. The experience encourages accuracy, observation and safety by focusing on real-world expectations. The first half of the course covers the fundamentals of dialysis and why a patient might need it. Students learn about the extracorporeal circuit by tracing the path of blood through arterial lines, dialyzers and venous lines. In further modules, students will investigate different vascular entry points – including fistulas, grafts and catheters – and consider the importance of site care and monitoring. The rest of the course shifts to practical procedures and safety checks. Students observe the complete cannulation process, from understanding needle types to placing them correctly. They explore how infections spread, when to use PPE and how to follow hand hygiene routines. A final module introduces the water treatment process, including pretreatment and reverse osmosis. **Key features:** - Aligned to the Core Curriculum for the Dialysis Technician (6th Edition) - Created with input from qualified dialysis professionals - Covers patient-facing tasks, equipment handling and infection control procedures ## Course Content: This course is six modules, split into 15 lessons: **Module 1: Introduction** - Lesson 1: Introduction to Dialysis **Module 2: Extracorporeal Circuit** - Lesson 1: Arterial Bloodline - Lesson 2: Dialyzer - Lesson 3: Venous Bloodline - Lesson 4: Organ Stunning **Module 3: Types of Dialysis Access** - Lesson 1: Arteriovenous Fistula - Lesson 2: Arteriovenous Graft - Lesson 3: Catheters **Module 4: Cannulation** - Lesson 1: Composition of a Hemodialysis Needle - Lesson 2: Cannulation Steps - Lesson 3: Needle Placement Techniques **Module 5: Hygiene and Infection Spread** - Lesson 1: Infection Transmission - Lesson 2: When to Wash Hands **Module 6: Water Treatment System** - Lesson 1: Pretreatment Phase - Lesson 2: Reverse Osmosis Phase ## Duration & Guidance: All lessons are approximately 15 minutes in duration. ## Module 1: Introduction to Dialysis{.objective .objective1} **Lesson 1: Introduction to Dialysis** Meet a dialysis technician and learn why this treatment is needed for people with kidney failure. Find out how the process works and what the technician's role involves. ## Learning Objectives: - Describe what dialysis is{.info} - List common conditions and illnesses causing kidney failure{.info} ## Module 2: Extracorporeal Circuit {.objective .objective2} **Lesson 1: Arterial Bloodline** Investigate how dialysis removes blood from the body. Identify the parts of the arterial bloodline and learn what each one does. ## Learning Objectives: - List the components of the arterial bloodline{.info} - Explain the purpose of the arterial bloodline components{.info} **Lesson 2: Dialyzer:** Learn how the dialyzer removes waste and excess fluid from the blood. Watch how tiny filters and pressure differences help clean the blood safely. ## Learning Objectives: - Describe the purpose of the dialyzer{.info} - Explain how the dialyzer works and what physical principles are applied{.info} **Lesson 3: Venous Bloodline** Follow the cleaned blood as it returns to the body. Discover how technicians monitor flow and check for problems in the venous line. ## Learning Objectives: - List the components of the venous bloodline{.info} - Explain the purpose of the venous bloodline components{.info} **Lesson 4: Organ Stunning** See how dialysis affects the body's organs. Discover the effects of removing too much fluid too quickly and how to prevent this issue. ## Learning Objectives: - Describe fluid movement across different compartments{.info} - Explain how organ stunning impacts various organs{.info} ## Module 3: Types of Dialysis Access {.objective .objective3} **Lesson 1: Arteriovenous Fistula** Take a close look at a fistula, one of the most common types of dialysis access. Learn how it works and what signs may show it's not functioning correctly. ## Learning Objectives: - Describe an arteriovenous (AV) fistula{.info} - List the pros and cons of a fistula{.info} - Assess the presence of stenosis{.info} **Lesson 2: Arteriovenous Graft** Explore an AV graft and how it connects blood vessels for dialysis. List conditions affecting an arteriovenous graft and perform a visual check to check for steal syndrome. ## Learning Objectives: - Describe an arteriovenous (AV) graft{.info} - List the pros and cons of a graft{.info} - Assess the presence of steal syndrome{.info} **Lesson 3: Catheter** Investigate how health care providers use central venous catheters when other access methods are not feasible. Determine their placement and how practitioners handle the process. ## Learning Objectives: - Describe a vascular access with a catheter{.info} - List the pros and cons of a catheter{.info} ## Module 4: Cannulation {.objective .objective4} **Lesson 1: Composition of a Hemodialysis Needle** Look at the parts and types of dialysis needles. Understand how different features influence their usage. ## Learning Objectives: - List properties of a hemodialysis needle{.info} - Explain the property variation of a hemodialysis needle{.info} **Lesson 2: Cannulation Steps** Follow each step of the cannulation process. Learn how to position and secure needles safely and correctly. ## Learning Objectives: - Describe cannulation steps{.info} - Demonstrate proper needle movement{.info} - Demonstrate butterfly taping technique{.info} **Lesson 3: Needle Placement Techniques** Compare three main needle placement methods. Practice how and when to use rope-ladder, buttonhole and area cannulation techniques. ## Learning Objectives: - Demonstrate rope-ladder technique{.info} - Demonstrate buttonhole technique{.info} - Describe the area cannulation technique{.info} ## Module 5: Hygiene and Infection Transmission {.objective .objective5} **Lesson 1: Methods of Infection Transmission** Search the clinic to identify where and how infections might spread. Learn how to spot risks and reduce them in a dialysis setting. Learning Objectives: - List types of microorganisms{.info} - List methods of infection transmission{.info} **Lesson 2: When to Wash Hands?** Understand when handwashing is required before, during, and after care and why good hand hygiene is critical in dialysis. ## Learning Objective: - Explain when to perform hand hygiene{.info} ## Module 6: Water Treatment System {.objective .objective6} **Lesson 1: Pretreatment Phase** Investigate how health care professionals prepare water before using it in dialysis. Identify each component in the pretreatment system and what it does. ## Learning Objectives: - List components of the pretreatment water system phase{.info} - Describe the purpose of the components{.info} **Lesson 2: Treatment phase – Reverse Osmosis** Follow the water through the final stage of treatment. Learn how reverse osmosis removes contaminants and ensures patient safety. ## Learning Objectives: - List components of the treatment water system phase{.info} - Explain how reverse osmosis membrane functions{.info}