CCH Employees Receive Certification in Hemodialysis

GILLETTE, WY – Campbell County Memorial Hospital Dialysis Center employees Misty Griffitts-Tompsett and Kristina Miller recently earned their certification as Clinical Hemodialysis Technicians (CCHT) from the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC).

A CCHT has been legally certified as a Hemodialysis Technician in the field of Nephrology—the branch of medicine that deals with the kidneys. Kristina and Misty are one of four NNCC certified staff at the Dialysis Center, giving them the ability to provide the best care for dialysis patients. Kristina, who is also a certified Phlebotomist—a person who draws blood for analysis—has worked for CCH since August 2015. Misty, also a certified Phlebotomist, has worked for CCH since July 2014, and been in dialysis for a total of four years.

NNCC certification contributes to better patient care in the Dialysis Center. For those who suffer from end stage renal disease, kidney dialysis makes the difference between life and death. CCH’s dialysis technicians perform a number of roles related to the dialysis treatment—from monitoring and maintaining equipment to providing primary care to the patient undergoing hemodialysis. With certification, CCH staff are able to meet the needs of our patients with knowledge, skills and a commitment to excellence.

The NNCC certification program provides participants with quality nephrology standards and practices through training and clinical experience. In order to earn the CCHT 12 months of experience and/or taking a class is required, as is an exam. The exam evaluates four areas of learning in hemodialysis technology: Clinical, Technical, Environmental, and Role. Tests take three hours and contain 150 questions. Certification is valid for three years; recertification may be met by continuing education hours and clinical experience, or by an exam.