Dialysis Technician

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: Each lesson is approximately 10-15 minutes in duration, but times may vary depending on the user. Lessons can be completed across multiple sessions, as user progress will be saved. We recommend that this experience is best undertaken standing, although a seated experience is possible. ## 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} # TEACHING FRAMEWORK FOR CAREER EXPLORATION{.objective .objective} # Before the Experience **Mind Map** Ask students to organize their thoughts by creating a Mind Map to help them understand their values, interests and strengths before they begin to explore the career paths within this VR experience. By mapping out what they care about, what they are good at, and what motivates them, students gain a clearer picture of careers that align with their goals. This activity can be completed digitally or on paper. In the center of the page, students should write their name and then draw a triangle around it. Label the corners with the following: passion, skills and purpose. From each corner, students should consider and respond to the following questions, adding supporting branches with any details, examples, or thoughts that come to mind. Passion: - What activities or hobbies do I immerse myself in and/or keep coming back to? - When do I feel most energized or creatively inspired? - If I could spend the entire day doing one thing, what would it be? Why? Skills: - What have others said that I'm good at? - What school subjects, tools and/or technologies come naturally to me? - What tasks or challenges do I like figuring out or improving? Purpose: - What causes or communities do I feel connected to and/or want to support? - What problems, whether local or around the world, would I like to help solve? - What kind of impact or difference do I want to make in someone's life? Optional outer branches could include: - What kind of work environment do I think I would like best? (indoors, outdoors, quiet, busy, office, lab, etc.) - Do I enjoy working with people, data/numbers, construction or ideas? Why? - What matters most when considering a future job? (creativity, flexibility, helping others, job security, etc.) # During the Experience **Career Comparison** Ask students to complete the experience, and then choose one of the following options: - If students are completing further Career Exploration experiences, choose one (or more) additional careers to explore and compare. If limited by time, the Job Shadows video experiences are the quickest way for students to learn about another role for comparison, as each video lasts approximately five minutes. - If students are only completing one of the experiences and do not have time to review a Job Shadows example, they can explore and compare careers by reflecting on jobs they may have previously worked in, using them as a point of comparison. If they have no relevant job experience themselves, they could explore and compare by considering job roles they have some understanding of from lived experience, e.g., a job a parent or sibling may have, teacher, sports coach, game designer or a social media influencer. Encourage students to look beyond job titles and analyze the details that define each role. Students can create a digital spreadsheet – or work on paper if preferred – with a column for each career role they have explored and rows for each of the following features. The goal is to build a side-by-side comparison that highlights similarities and differences. - Responsibilities – What are the main duties of this role? - Skills – What technical and soft skills are required? - Technology/Tools – What kinds of technology, tools, or machines are used as part of daily tasks? - Education/Training – What education, training or certifications are needed? - Environment – Where does this work typically take place? Are they part of a team? - First Impression – What are my initial reactions and thoughts on this career? # After the Experience **Revisit the Mind Map** After exploring and comparing careers, ask students to revisit their Mind Map to reflect on how what they have learned connects with their own values, interests and strengths. Use the questions below to add new branches or update the map. - What careers or roles sparked my interest? - Where do they fit on the triangle or within the map? - Did I discover any new strengths and skills that I would like to learn more about or develop? - Did anything surprise me or shift my thinking about possible future careers? # Extended Learning **Presentation** Students will choose one from the following options to demonstrate what they have learned. This activity encourages synthesis, creativity, and personal insight by giving students multiple ways to express what stood out to them during their Career Exploration VR experience. Their final product should tell the story of where they see themselves in the future and why. To assess, use a rubric or checklist, providing students with individual feedback. **Option 1: My Career Poster** Ask students to create a digital poster or slide presentation that highlights two to three careers that would be a good fit or that they enjoyed learning about. Students should use visuals and text to explain why each career made their list and how it fits their personal goals. Their Mind Map, Career Comparison, and the suggestions below can be used to guide them: - Career title and short description - Why the career is a good fit (connect to mind map) - One skill or qualification you would need to learn or develop for this role **Option 2: Digital Collage** Ask students to design a visual representation of their thoughts and takeaways after exploring the various careers. They should use images, drawings, and keywords to create a digital collage that reflects not only the careers, but also what they learned about themselves in the process. Students can use presentation software (such as PowerPoint, Canva, etc.) and should use their Mind Map, Career Comparison, and the questions below for guidance: - What kind of work do you want to do? - What values and skills matter to you the most? - What kind of workplace or role feels "right" to you? **Option 3: Career Mashup** Ask students to combine elements from the different careers they explored to create their own "dream job" that reflects their unique passions, skills and values. They should invent a role that aligns with who they are and what matters to them. Their Mind Map, Career Comparison, and the suggestions below can be used to guide them: - Name for your dream job - Description of what this role does - Skills needed to perform the duties - Where and how someone in this role might work - A day in the life of someone in this role - How does it match your passions, skills and purpose? # How To View Student Analytics 1. Login to the [Xennial Teacher Portal](https://xrplatform.xennialdigital.com/home) 1. Results can be viewed based on the name the student entered For full set-up instructions, including video walkthroughs and support documents, please visit our support pages [ClassVR Support](https://www.classvr.com/)