09/18/2025
NANT President Clarica Douglas-Ajayi Champions Nephrology Technicians as Indispensable Health Care Heroes
As a dialysis technician, I work closely with a team of doctors, nurses, social workers and dietitians to provide specialized care for patients with kidney failure.
This interdisciplinary team helps to improve the quality of life for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Everyone plays an important role in ensuring the smooth operation of dialysis treatments. In health care, collaboration is key to delivering the best possible patient care.
Dialysis technicians have an important role in the interdisciplinary team. We address all aspects of a dialysis patient's health — social, emotional and physical well-being. Our tasks require technical skills, the ability to work harmoniously with the entire dialysis team and close attention to patient details.
We are the frontline staffers who operate the dialysis machines, monitoring patients to ensure they receive the most accurate and effective care. Dialysis technicians are trained to prepare and operate dialysis machines and the intricate process of hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. This training is critical to the success of the dialysis treatment for patients. We are trained to check vital signs and observe for any adverse reactions during dialysis, a highly specialized task.
Dialysis technicians work with nephrologists or other physicians who develop the specialized care plans to address issues such as medication or comorbid conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes. We keep communication ongoing with the doctor and patient.
Our job with our nurse partners is paramount. We cannot do our job without a licensed nurse in the building. The nurse is the liaison between the patient and the rest of the health care team. While dialysis technicians focus on dialysis equipment and monitoring the patient, dialysis nurses focus on the overall nursing care, such as assessment before, after and during dialysis treatment, administration of medications and medication adherence. If a technician notices anything adverse to the patient, the nurse steps in to assess the situation and determine whether medical intervention is necessary. The dialysis technician and nurse collaborate to create a seamless care experience for the patient.
Our collaboration with dietitians plays a role that helps patients manage their nutrition to avoid fluid overload, high potassium and electrolyte imbalances. Technicians often ensure patients are compliant with specific dietary requirements. It is the technicians who help reinforce the education provided by other members of the health care team in a way their patients can best understand.
Dialysis technicians team with social workers to help address the emotional, social and psychological aspect of a patient’s care. We see the patient first, we know their issues, and we are with our patients for hours. We can bring direct contact with any issues to ensure patients receive the support needed during this critical time in their lives.
Success of a dialysis team relies on consistent, clear communication among all team members. By fostering open communication and mutual respect, the entire team can address concerns as they arise. Working together, the entire team can ensure we deliver the best possible care to our patients.
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Clarica Douglas-Ajayi, CHT, is a certified hemodialysis technician employed by Fresenius Medical Care North America. She is the 2024-2026 president of the National Association of Nephrology Technicians and Technologists. She can be reached at clarica40@gmail.com or LinkedIn.
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