NN&I - August 2010

Viewpoint 12 Nephrology News & Issues August 2010Subscribe to our free eNewsletter at www.nephronline.comThere exists a wealth of resources for technicians to attain continuing educa -tion. Some require fees while others do not. The three CMS-approved national exams list details of qualified topics and sources for continuing education. The different professional associations that exist for technicians or nurses (ANNA, NANT, CNNT) all provide opportuni-ties for continuing education. Dialysis manufacturers and vendors also have videos that may offer continuing edu -cations credits. Also, some vendors do onsite lectures and issue continuing education. Organizations such as the Recertification criteria for the three current CMS-approved national exams* EXAM RECERTIFICATION # OF CONTRACT H O U R S F EE SBONENTRequired every four years 40; may be earned through seminars, home study activities, academic courses, presentations or publications. A minimum of 25 hours must be from nephrology seminars and workshops. To maintain a BONENT membership, nurses and technologists and technicians are required to pay an annual certification fee of $55. Members are given two payment optionsan annual fee of $55, or four years in advance for $200.NNCCRequired every two years. Beginning Nov. 1, 2011, the recertification period will extend to three years and recertification criteria will change to 30 contact hours and 3,000 hours of work experience as a hemodialysis patient care technician within the three-year certification period. Certified technician must have a minimum of 2,000 hours of work experience as a hemodialysis patient care technician within the two-year period of certification. Twenty hours of hemodialysis-related continuing education. The cost for recertification is $75. NNCOContinuing education of 30 contact hours related to the practice of nephrology technology is required every four years. A maximum of 15 contact hours may be from employment in the nephrology business network. Each year of employment in the nephrology business network will be considered as 3.75 contact hours. Continuing education programs may include workshops, seminars, professional development offerings, home-study course, and local, regional, state or national conferences. The cost for recertification is $75.*For the states with CMS-approved certification, contact the state agency with oversight of the program. National Kidney Foundation and the American Kidney Fund also provide opportunities on the Web for continu -ing education. Websites such as HDCN (Hypertension, Dialysis & Clinical Nephrology) have educational oppor -tunities. Dialysis-related websites have information for meetings, literature, and opportunities related to continuing education. There are also opportunities for providers to do educational meet -ings and be able to provide continu- ing education that may be recognized by the different certification organiza -tions. Education is out there. Symposiums and annual meetings by the different professional organiza -tion may be costly, but offer the techni- cian the opportunity to accumulate a large number of continuing education hours, with the rewarding experience of networking with fellow technicians. Sharing experiences at professional meetings can serve as an encourage-ment amongst technicians that their concerns and challenges are those shared by other technicians and may mitigate the perception of being alone and feeling insecure. The attitude of having a job can erode with belonging and pride in a professional group and setting. Conclusion Now we are certified. What comes next for certified hemodialysis techni -cians? The logical answer is profession-alism, and meeting the expectations of the health care community. The economic impact to the renal community from the health care reform and bundling is an uncertainty that will influence how dialysis technicians and providers address the issue of continuing education. Viewpoint_NNI_0810_3.indd 12 7/15/10 1:28:11 PM