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Renal Dialysis Technician

Certificate Program






Student Information Handout
& Application Form









Vancouver Community College
202 - 250 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1S9
Program Assistant: Tel 604-871.7000 ext: 8672
Fax 604-443-8393


Updated July 2013

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Renal Technician Certificate Program
Course Length:

7.5 weeks (full time Monday through Friday: morning, afternoon and/or evening)

Course Start Date:

**Program for 2014 is full, course date for 2015 To Be Announced**
**Dates to be confirmed by Advisory Committee**

Location:

Theory classes and clinical placements occur at various sites around the Lower
Mainland and Fraser Valley, based on availability
**Clinical site placement does not guarantee employment at that location

Tuition Fee:

$3314 (subject to change without notice)
**Please note: the Renal Dialysis Certificate program does not qualify for student
loans through StudentAid BC**

Application Fee:

$30.00 (subject to change without notice)

Program Type:

Wait Listed (approximately 18-24 months) upon completion of pre-requisites
Pre-requisites:


** Must have
completed all five
pre-requisites
before applying to
program, no
exceptions**

1. Proof of English Language Proficiency Language Assessment (ABE or CLBPT)
done at the Broadway campus (see page 7 for information and acceptable
scores) Note: Please do this step early in the application process

2. Minimum Grade 12 graduation (or GED), or post-secondary studies
or ICES Basic Evaluation for applicants whose educational documents are
not from a Canadian or American institution (see page 7)

3. Completion of Medical Terminology Course OACP 1108, within five years of
application date (see page 6) Call 604.443.8484 to register or visit room 203
- DTN campus

4. Completion of Interpersonal Communication Skills Course MSKL 1104 (see
page 6) Call 604.443.8484 to register or visit room 203 - DTN campus

5. Completion of one Post-Secondary (university level) science class (3 credits or
more), C grade or better, within five years of application date, (either
Chemistry or Biology) (see page 6)
Acceptable
Equivalencies:

**If you did not meet
the required
Language Assessment
scores, please
contact the
Assessment Centre at
604.871.7093, or
Advising at 604.443-
8453
For 1. ELA Total score of 145/200, with minimum scores of 27 in speaking,
27 in listening, 16 in writing, and 50 in reading
IELTS minimum score of 6.5 overall - Academic Module, plus a minimum
of 7.0 on the Speaking Band
For 2 GED For information call Counselling and Advising at 604.443.8453

For 3. Medical Terminology 30 hours or more from a recognized college or
local District School Board Continuing Education

For 4. Interpersonal Communication Skills Course 24 hours or more from a
recognized college

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Renal Technician Certificate Program

This full-time program is a College Board approved certificate program. An Advisory Committee composed
of members with expertise in the field regularly reviews the program and makes recommendations based
on industry standards, the changing job market, etc.

Purpose of Program
The Renal Technician program prepares individuals to work as beginning level renal dialysis technicians in
major hospitals and clinics. Renal Technician Theory and Clinical, a full-time, seven and a half week
hospital-based course (starts with five theory/lab days, followed by approximately one day of theory and
four days of clinical a week).

Learning Outcomes
Participants successfully completing this program are able to:
Understand appropriate theory and principles as they relate to end stage renal failure and its
complications and hemodialysis.
Apply appropriate theory and principles during the hemodialysis process.
Demonstrate renal dialysis skills consistently according to practice standards.
Examine own practice and behaviors, identify areas of strengths and weaknesses and seek
opportunities for learning and growth.
Work effectively as a team member in an organized and ethical manner and within practice standards
to meet the needs of the patient and facility.
Communicate effectively in English in writing and speaking, with patients and health care personnel.

Entrance Requirements
Please note all entrance requirements must be completed prior to being placed on the waitlist.

CLBPT or ABE (Adult Basic Education) completed at our Broadway campus within 1 year of the
application date -See p. 7
Grade 12, or equivalent GED, or higher education, or ICES See p. 7
Interpersonal Skills course (24 hours) See p. 6
Medical Terminology Course (30 hours) within five years of application date See p. 6
One 3 credit (or more) class of first year post-secondary science, C Grade or better (this could be
chemistry or biology) See p. 6 for acceptable courses
Absence of allergies to substances on the skin

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Recommended Student Characteristics
Ability to:
lift, stand for long periods, or perform repetitive movements
attend to detail, to work accurately, quickly, and neatly, and to manage time effectively
handle multiple tasks at the same time
work under direction and independently as a member of a health care team
work in a busy atmosphere and respond quickly to changing demands
adjust to work in a hospital setting. Previous hospital experience may be an advantage
and willingness to adjust to shift work, including weekends and statutory holidays
good manual dexterity

Note: Employers prefer renal technicians with previously demonstrated satisfactory work experience.
Because of the heavy demands of the program and varied hours of clinical, participants are advised not to
work during this course.

Participants in the Renal Dialysis Technician Certificate Program must have completed the following three
months prior to starting the program. Please note the following:
1. Hepatitis B - three vaccinations over a period of six months
2. A recent negative TB Skin Test report (within one year of entering the program)
3. Diphtheria and Tetanus: need to be updated if not done within the past ten years.
4. Current CPR C Certificate
5. Recent Criminal Record Check done through the Ministry of Justice

Immunization/Vaccination/CPR C Certification
Participants in the Renal Technician Certificate Program must have updated immunization three months
prior to entering the program. Please note the following:

1. Hep B Series (three shots): Free for VCC Students at VCC Downtown campus (604-871-7000 ext: 8336)
or check your local clinic. Please start Hep B immediately. Hep B takes 6 months to complete.
2. Diphtheria & Tetanus Immunization (check with your family doctor). (Every 10 years.)
3. Current CPR C: Red Cross (1-888-307-7997) or St. Johns Ambulance (604-321-2651)
4. Recent Negative TB skin test or chest x-ray (Must be done within one year of entering program): $30
for VCC Health Sciences students, or call the BC Centre for Disease Control at 604-707-2692, or check
with your local Public Health Clinic.
***Flu shots are not required but are highly recommended ***

Note: Dr. Graham Burns, VCC City Center Health Department, advises as follows:
Hepatitis B is a serious disease that Nursing, Renal Technician, Medical Device Reprocessing
technician, Dental and Medical Lab Assistant students could be exposed to in the course of the
programs. The vaccine is free at City Center Campus Health Services. The vaccination series consists of
three vaccinations given over a six months period.

TB Skin Test and Hepatitis B immunization updates can be completed at VCC Health Services.
Some students may require a blood test from their family physician prior to immunization. Please call VCC-
Downtown Campus Health Nurse at 604-871-7000 ext: 8336 (Room 204) for immunization appointments
or if you have any questions regarding your immunization status.


**TB Skin Test - $30.00 **Hepatitis B - free for VCC Students

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Program Design

Renal Technician Theory
Participants in this seven and one-half week full-time course spend approximately 68 hours in
classroom/lab daytime or evening activities in the hospital facility. The first five days/evenings are spent in
classroom and lab; during the remainder of the course participants are usually in class one day/evening a
week. Participants learn theory and principles in the classroom and practice skills in the lab before
practicing them in the clinical area. During the first week, participants are oriented to the hospital facility
and college and hospital resources, such as student health services, hospital immunization requirements,
counselling, and library services. Approximately 20-30 hours per week of independent study and reading
are necessary throughout the program.

Students are evaluated on the theory component through a student journal, a clinical presentation, and
two written multiple choice exams. The pass mark for the midterm and final exams is 70 percent. Students
must achieve a passing grade in each examination in order to pass the course. Students have one
opportunity to rewrite exam 1 and exam 2. The maximum mark attainable on a rewrite is 70 percent.
Students failing any rewrite must withdraw from the course. The midterm exam is worth 30 percent of the
overall theory mark, and the final exam is worth 45 percent of the overall theory mark. Students must also
complete a journal and do a clinical presentation. The journal is worth 10 percent of the overall theory
mark, and the clinical presentation is worth 15 percent of the overall theory mark. Students must achieve
an overall average of 70 percent to pass the theory component.

Clinical
Participants spend approximately 210 hours in renal dialysis units in one or more hospitals (weekdays, days
and evenings). There they will refine the skills necessary to work in the area and apply theoretical
principles to their activities. Activities include assembly, maintenance, and disassembly of dialysis
equipment, infection control, quality control, trouble shooting, patient monitoring, and basic patient care
related to dialysis.

Participants are skills tested on their abilities to perform the necessary renal dialysis skills, and their
abilities to apply appropriate principles to each skill and must achieve a satisfactory performance rating
and meet identified clinical outcomes to pass the clinical portion of the course. Students are assessed on
an ongoing basis as their skills and activity levels increase in the clinical area. There is a mid-term and a
final review.

Students need to develop skills in identifying their own knowledge and skill gaps and to seek learning
opportunities to meet those needs. This self-awareness is an important aspect of professionalism, and as
such, is one aspect of evaluation. Promptness, professional deportment, attendance and appearance are
other components of professionalism for which students behaviors are evaluated. Students must achieve
a passing mark on all skills inventories and performance records for successful completion.

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Information about Pre-requisite courses

Interpersonal Communication Skills for Health Care Workers (MSKL 1104)

Consists of four Saturday classes from 09:00-16:30 hours. This course provides broad and practical
interpersonal and teamwork skills that will assist participants to develop stronger communication,
decision-making and assertiveness skills for the workplace. Topics include conflict resolution, teamwork,
leadership skills, personal motivation and empowerment in self-education. Students in this course apply
their knowledge and skills in small group to develop and refine their effective verbal and non-verbal
communications using effective methods in individual and group situations to make systematic decisions
and win/win decisions.

Acceptable equivalent: Interpersonal Communication Skills Course (24 hours or more that includes the
above listed topics) from a recognized College. Please check with Program Assistant first for approval.
Please submit your transcript with your application if this course is taken outside of VCC.

To register call 604-443-8484 or visit room 203 at the Downtown campus. For more information on VCC
Interpersonal Communication start dates please visit the course web page or www.vcc.ca.


Medical Terminology (OACP 1108) Taken within five years of application date

Consists of ten evening classes from 18:00 to 21:00 hours. This course is for those wishing to work in the
technology/laboratory or related health field, learn the basics of anatomy, physiology, pathology, body
structure and functions. Explore disease processes, investigations, treatments and introduction to surgical
terms and practical applications. Word parts (stems, prefixes, suffixes and abbreviations) are covered as
well as pronunciation and spelling.

Acceptable equivalent: Interpersonal Communication Skills Course (24 hours or more that includes the
above listed topics) from a recognized College. Please check with Program Assistant first for approval.
Please submit your transcript with your application if this course is taken outside of VCC.

To register call 604-443-8484 or visit room 203 at the Downtown campus. For more information on VCC
Medical Terminology start dates please visit the course web page or www.vcc.ca.

One University Level Science class 3 credits or more

Students must complete one University Level Science course in Chemistry or Biology with a C grade or
higher. VCC offers University Transfer Science classes at the Broadway campus. Please check our website at
www.vcc.ca or call Advising at 604.443.8453.
Acceptable classes include:
Vancouver Community College: BIOL 1100, BIOL 1120, CHEM 1121
Langara College: BIOL 1115, BIOL 1175, BIOL 1190, CHEM 1114, CHEM 1118, CHEM 1120
Kwantlen Polytechnic University: BIOL 1160, CHEM 1105, CHEM 1110
Douglas College: BIOL 1104, BIOL 1110, BIOL 1210, CHEM 1104, CHEM 1108, CHEM 1110
Thompson Rivers Open Learning: BIOL 1001, BIOL 1113, BIOL 1593
SFU: BIOL 100, BIOL 101, BIOL 102, CHEM 110, CHEM 111, CHEM 121
UBC: BIOL 111, BIOL 112, BIOL 140, BIOL 153, BIOL 155, CHEM 111, CHEM 113, CHEM 121, CHEM 123

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Information about ICES and Language Assessments

Basic Evaluation of Education Documents (ICES)

Applicants whose educational documents are not from a Canadian or American institution must
have a basic Canadian evaluation. The International Credential Evaluation Service can provide this
basic evaluation. For an evaluation application and current fee information, contact I.C.E.S at
604.432.8800 or www.bcit.ca/ices


English Assessments www.assessments.vcc.ca

Applicants will be required to demonstrate proof of English Language Proficiency

Applicants will be required to do either the ABE or CLBPT language assessment at the Broadway campus
(Please do this step early in the application process)

If your high school education was completed in Canada and includes academic English 12 you will be
asked to complete the Adult Basic Education Assessments in Reading and Writing (ABE).

If your education is not from a Canadian institution you will be asked to complete a Canadian Language
Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT).

Please visit or call the assessment centre at 604.871.7093 for more information regarding the
assessments. You can also email the assessment centre to: assessments@vcc.ca

ABE assessment required scores:
60 on Reading Assessment
40-45 on Writing Assessment
061 on Writing sample

An ABE assessment schedule is published every month and includes day and evening
assessment times www.assessments.vcc.ca

CLBPT assessment required scores:
8 in speaking
7 in listening
7 in reading
6 in writing
Please make appointment for the CLBPT Assessment IN PERSON (NO appointments by phone).
You must have your PICTURE ID when you make your appointment. NOTE: Scores valid for one
year




ABE/CLBPT Assessment Fee: $60.00 (subject to change without notice)
Assessment Centre: Room 4027
VCC Broadway Campus: 1155 East Broadway

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Application and Waitlist Information

To Apply
Please submit the completed application form including all required documentation along with an
application fee of $30 in person or by mail to:

VCC Continuing Studies Renal Dialysis
202-250 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1S9

Your application will be reviewed only when all your documents have been received. You will be notified
of your status by email or mail. Please call the Program Assistant at 604-871-7000 ext: 8672 with any
questions regarding the application process.

Waitlist Process
When all of your pre-requisites have been completed and your application approved, your name is placed
on the Renal Dialysis Waitlist. The waitlist process is first-come first-served.

You will be notified by mail, phone or email when there is an available seat in the Renal Dialysis intake.
This course may be offered anytime of the year, depending on the needs of the health care industry.
There can be a lengthy wait due to the small class size (approximately 12 students per class). The current
waitlist averages 1.5 - 2 years.

Notification of class and Tuition payment

Students are usually notified with a seat offer approximately three months prior to the start date of the
class. Full tuition payment is required upon seat acceptance. Tuition fee is subject to change without
notice.

If You Decline Your Seat
You will be given two (2) opportunities to accept a seat in the course.

******NOTE:
1
st
Decline You will retain your wait list position
2
nd
Decline Your name will be removed from the wait list


Refunds Important Information
The tuition fee, without exception, less $30 Administration Fee will be refunded ONLY if requested in
writing TWO (2) weeks before the course starts. Please attach your receipt with your written request for
refund.


**We reserve the right to cancel, postpone or otherwise modify a course due to inadequate registration
or other situations beyond our control. You will be notified by phone and receive a full refund if we
cancel the course. **

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Student Application Checklist
Renal Dialysis Technician Program

Prior to submitting your application please ensure all required documents are included. Failure to do so
will result in the application form being returned to you.

Proof of English Language Proficiency ABE or CLBPT or
equivalent

Canadian Grade 12 Transcript or GED or University Degree

For those who graduated outside of Canada an ICES report is
required (Basic Evaluation from International Credential
Evaluation Service - BCIT)

Proof of completion for Interpersonal Skills

Proof of completion for Medical Terminology taken within the
past five years.

Proof of completion of one (3 credit) first year post-secondary
science class (chemistry or biology) within the past five years. C
grade or better

$30.00 Application Fee
Cheque payable to: VCC Continuing Studies
Mail to: Vancouver Community College
Continuing Studies, Health - Renal Dialysis
202-250 West Pender Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1S9
Credit Card payment: please call 604-871-7000 ext: 8672

Criminal Record Check, CPR C, Negative TB Skin Test, Hepatitis B series and Tetanus/ Diphtheria
must be completed three months prior to the start of the class.

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Renal Technician
Certificate Program
Application Form

(PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY)
Page 1 of 3
Name VCC ID#

Address

Postal Code

Phone: Home _________________________Work _____________________(Local) ________

Phone: Cell ___________________________Email___________________________________

Date of Birth __________________________

Citizenship or Visa type: _______________
Citizenship/Visa ID number: ______________ Issue date: ____________ Expiry date:________
Citizenship Country: Birth Country: _______________
Native language: ________________
For Office Use Only


Date application received ________________________________________________
Application Fee $30:_________________________

Grade 12 or GED or ICES
CLBPT or ABE within 1 year of application date
Interpersonal Communication Skills course Date ___________ Mark _________
Medical Terminology course Date ___________ Mark _________
3 Credit Post-Secondary Science class taken within the past five years: C Grade or
better Biology___ Chemistry___

The following are due three months prior to course start date:
o Criminal Record Check
o Current CPR C
o Diphtheria & Tetanus
o Hepatitis B Series
o Negative TB Skin Test/Chest X-ray

VCC Centre for Continuing Studies 202-250 West Pender, Vancouver BC V6B 1S9

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Renal Technician Certificate Program Application Form

Name ___________________________________________________________ page 2 of 3

Education History

Enclose original or official transcript of Grade 12 high school graduation (or equivalent).

Education / Training Name and Location
of School
Grade Completed, Degree,
Diploma Achieved
Secondary School
(High School, GED or
ICES)



Employment History

Started
month/year
Left
month/year
Employer's Name
and Location
Position Held
Number of
hours/week















Health

1. Do you have any allergies? Yes No
If yes, what are you allergic to?
__________________________________________________________________________

How do you react to allergic substances? _________________________________________


VCC Centre for Continuing Studies 202-250 West Pender, Vancouver BC V6B 1S9




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Renal Technician Certificate Program Application Form

Name ___________________________________________________________ page 3 of 3

Health Continued

2. Recent surgery: Yes No

Specify____________________________________________________________________


3. Do you have a history of:

Back problems? Yes No
Joint problems? Yes No
Repetitive strain injury? Yes No
Chronic Skin Condition? Yes No
Are you pregnant? Yes No


4. Do you have a disability that may prevent you from:

Standing for long periods of time? Yes No
Lifting 25-30 lbs? Yes No
Using fine and gross motor skills? Yes No
Seeing fine print? Yes No

If you answered yes to any questions in section 3 or 4, please explain:

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________


I certify that the above information I have given is accurate and true.

Signature _____________________________________________________________________

Date ________________________________________________________________________


Your application will be reviewed for acceptance into the program only when all documents have been
received. Your position on the waitlist is determined by the date your completed application is reviewed.


VCC Centre for Continuing Studies 202-250 West Pender, Vancouver BC V6B 1S9