Lake Superior College News Releases

Lake Superior College has been approved to offer a new Hemodialysis Patient Care Technician Program. The program will be available in two versions, a 16-credit theory-only certificate, and a 21-credit advanced certificate that includes theory and clinical experience.

The 16-credit certificate provides fundamental theoretical knowledge only. Students completing the certificate would still require on-the-job clinical training upon hire at a dialysis facility.

The 21-credit version includes a structured clinical internship experience at a dialysis facility, in addition to theory courses. It is anticipated that students completing the longer version of the program will require minimal additional training upon hire at a dialysis facility.

Hemodialysis, a treatment which requires the use of a dialysis machine, is routinely provided for people diagnosed with renal failure. It is critical life support for thousands of Americans. Currently, more than 300,000 people in the United States receive dialysis on an ongoing basis. In the five-state Upper Midwest region there are nearly 21,000 hemodialysis patients.

The college is accepting students for the 2007-08 academic year. All theory courses and the complete 16-credit program will be offered online.

“This new program addresses a critical need for dialysis technicians,” said Candace Barnack, Lake Superior College’s vice president of academic affairs. “Our research indicates that there are job openings across the state and nation.”

According to Pam Elstad, LSC’s dean of nursing and allied health, the theory courses can be completed in a single semester. “With a minimal investment in training, graduates of the program will be ready to enter jobs in a growing field,” Elstad reports.

According to school officials, there are nearly 5,000 dialysis clinics in the U.S., with 405 operating in the five-state upper-midwest region. Nearly all of these facilities hire hemodialysis technicians to provide direct care under the supervision of a registered nurse.

“Trained technicians are highly sought after, as there are only a few education programs in the nation and none in Minnesota. As a result, most employers are forced to provide on-the-job training for new technicians,” Elstad explains. “Our graduates will have the skills dialysis facilities need, making them very employable and reducing the need for expensive employer-provided training programs.”

LSC has elected to offer the program via the Internet, making the theory classes available throughout the state and nation. “While there are many jobs available across the country, they are widely dispersed geographically,” says Barnack. “That’s probably one reason training for this field isn’t widely available. By offering the courses online, we can serve a state-wide and regional training need.”

Components of the programs will be available fall term with the remainder of courses coming online January 2008. Potential students are encouraged to apply soon. Enrollment information is available by contacting LSC Student Services, (218) 733-7601, enroll@lsc.edu.

Lake Superior College is a leading provider of online college courses with more than 140 courses available via the Internet each semester. The college is also a center for nursing and allied health programs, offering the region’s widest selection of health care career training programs, including dental hygiene, massage therapist, medical assistant, medical lab technician, phlebotomy, physical therapist assistant, radiologic technology, respiratory care practitioner, surgical technician, and associate degree (RN) and licensed practical nursing.