Dialysis technician

I recently switched from being an MT to being a dialysis technician.

I work for a company called Fresenius. Google them and find an clinic near you. They are ubiquitous. Send them a resume telling you have always worked as an MT but now you want to try hands-on patient care for a change. They will give you six weeks of paid training. I did this and because I have a medical background they accepted me. They started me out at a very low salary because I have no patient care experienc at all, but I figure it's only temporary. Once I'm fully trained and out of orientation my salary will go up. After 6 months I can start looking for better paying clinics.

Pros: Decent pay (up to 35K per year), endless opportunities (they always need staff), plenty of overtime, possibility of working per diem in some areas, working 4 days on, 3 days off, able to move anywhere in the country and find a job, impossible to outsource, interesting, rewarding, very low stress, interesting.

Cons: Working with people (big change when you're used to working alone), patients are sometimes cranky and sick; being on your feet much of the day, ungodly hours (my shift starts at 5 a.m.), employees p*ss and moan about their jobs just like people who work for Spheris do, some clinics require lots of lifting, erratic pace (frenzy, followed by tedium, interspersed with bedlam).

Overall for me I LOVE IT! At the end of the day I feel a little beat up but very happy. It's so rewarding to see a patient come in all swollen and see them leave not as puffy and feeling much better.

Anyway, it couldn't hurt to try. I didn't think I would like it at all and I was very surprised.

• Not sure what to do. - depressed
  • Dialysis technician - Waterbaby
  • Puff up, baby! - Safonda Marines
  • You'd be surprised. You can switch careers. - I did at age 47.
    • Here's a funny for you. I switched professions at age 48..... - Sharon
  • Have you tried applying for - Suggestion
  • I emailed you with some hospitals to look into - sm - tranner
  • Ever thought of a home health care aide? Usually paid training and start work right away. Can work - in blocks of time or FT. nm
  • I'm so sorry...wish I could help. nm - Sis
  • sm - tranner
    • I'm not really near anything. The nearest city has a population of - OP
      • okay, that doesn't really help. I really need to know - tranner
      • why don't you tell us what you are looking for, so that we have something to go on? - blue sky

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