Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician (CHT)
Examination Content
The BONENT Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician
examination measures technical proficiency in certain skills
and general areas of knowledge. The examination tests the following
five major domains of practice and tasks performed in the scope
of hemodialysis technology:
- Patient Care 65%
- Machine Technology
10%
- Water Treatment
5%
- Dialyzer Reprocessing
5%
- Education/Personal
Development 15%
See
detailed content outline (pdf)
The examination has a three-hour time
limit and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions.
Eligibility
- A copy of your high
school diploma or official transcripts with principal signature and/or school seal.
- One year of experience
(12 months) in nephrology patient care, and current active participation
in an ESRD facility or successful completion of an accredited
dialysis course approved by the BONENT Board. All programs are
subject to the approval of the BONENT Board.
- Applicants are required
to submit two signed letters of reference with their applications.
A signed letter will be required from their immediate supervisor.
The other will be required from a professional, e.g., a peer or
mentor in the field of nephrology. Applicants must be employed
at the time of application submission.
New 2008 ESRD Federal Regulations
The new ESRD Rules & Regulations approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have been submitted to the Office of the Federal Register for publication and have recently been published with comments in the Federal Register (4-15-08). It is currently a 116-page document (see CMS ESRD Final Rules). The rules that apply to certification start on page 20425.
Policy & Timeline
Here is the exact wording related to the timeline for Dialysis Technicians to have certification:
“Patient care dialysis technicians (must) be certified under a state certification program or a national commercially available certification program as follows:
- For newly-employed patient care technicians – (certified) within 18 months of being hired as a dialysis patient care technician.If a newly hired PCT stops working before they have 18 months of experience, they can start working at another facility but the experience from their first job will be added to their new job. For example: A PCT works in Facility “A” for 7 months. Then, he/she has to move to another state. Once Facility “B” hires this person, he/she will have 11 months to become certified.
- For patient care technicians employed on or before October 14, 2008 - (certified) within 18 months after such date." (This means that you will have until April 14, 2010 to be certified.)
- BONENT Certified Members:
NOTE: If you are a patient care technician currently employed in dialysis and have a current BONENT certification, you will NOT need to re-take the exam. But, BONENT will not be able to verify your certification to employers or state boards unless your annual certification fees are up-to-date.
Legislative Mandates for Certification
In several states, BONENT certification
or state certification is required for technologists/technicians
who perform certain patient care procedures. It is incumbent upon
all applicants to familiarize themselves with any state licensure
requirements for the state in which they intend to be certified.
For instance, Ohio certification requires that all applicants have
completed one year of patient care prior to the administration of
the examination. Other states may have similar requirements.
Application
Form (pdf)
 Computer Based Testing (CBT) Exam
Schedule
 Paper & Pencil Exam (PPE) Exam Schedule
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