NNCC-CCHT-A Exam Format | NNCC-CCHT-A Course Contents | NNCC-CCHT-A Course Outline | NNCC-CCHT-A Exam Syllabus | NNCC-CCHT-A Exam Objectives

Exam Code: CCHT-A
Certification Name: Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician - Advanced
Issuing Organization: Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC)
Exam Type: Computer-based- multiple-choice questions
Number of Questions: 150 questions (including 25 unscored pretest questions)
Duration: 3 hours
Passing Score: Scaled scoring (minimum passing score determined by NNCC)

I. Clinical - 50-54%
- Cannulate patient’s access.
- Set the dialysis machine according to the patient’s prescription.
- Obtain patient’s weight and vital signs.
- Monitor patient during dialysis treatment.
- Use aseptic technique for dialysis procedures.
- Evaluate patient’s access pre-dialysis.
- Initiate hemodialysis treatment with arteriovenous graft/fistula.
- Evaluate patient’s pre-dialysis and post-dialysis fluid status.
- Discontinue patient’s dialysis treatment with arteriovenous fistula or graft.
- Perform post-dialysis fistula/graft access care.
- Set up extracorporeal circuit.
- Follow protocol for administering heparin.
- Discontinue patient’s dialysis treatment with hemodialysis catheter.
- Monitor patient who has a hemodialysis catheter during treatment.
- Discard disposable supplies post-dialysis- using appropriate/designated receptacles.
- Identify potential access failure by looking- listening- and feeling.
- Question patient regarding problems/events since last treatment.
- Monitor dialysis machine and ancillary equipment (e.g.- IV pump- oxygen concentrator) during treatment.
- Follow protocol for treating hypotension.
- Identify and report changes in patient’s general physical state.
- Recognize and report changes in patient’s cognitive/mental status.
- Identify relationship of blood pressure changes to fluid volume status.
- Recognize intradialytic events that effect fluid removal or retention.
- Understand the purpose and recognize complications of heparin therapy.
- Recognize and report signs and symptoms of volume depletion or overload.
- Consider patient’s response to last treatment to anticipate changes in care plan.
- Identify risks for patient exsanguination (“bleeding out”).
- Follow protocol for treating muscle cramps.
- Recognize and report signs and symptoms of infection.
- Recognize and report signs and symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.
- Recognize and report potential or actual adverse patient occurrences.
- Recognize and report signs/symptoms of access failure (e.g.- stenosis- clotting).
- Administer oxygen per order/protocol.
- Understand purpose and recognize complications of topical/local anesthetics.
- Identify complications of end-stage renal disease (CKD Stage 5).
- Use assistive devices for patient transfers.
- Obtain blood samples from patient’s fistula or graft.
- Encourage patient to participate in physical activities- e.g.- exercise bikes- hand weights.
- Recognize and report an emergency clinical situation.
- Cannulate a mature buttonhole access.
- Perform access flow monitoring.
- Perform access flow monitoring.
- Measure patient’s blood glucose level.
- Communicate patient’s treatment outcomes to appropriate personnel.
- Participate as directed in patient resuscitation activities.
- Establish a buttonhole access.

II. Technical - 18-22%
- Perform dialysis machine tests (e.g.- pressure and alarm tests).
- Check pH of dialysate solution with an independent device.
- Ensure safe and proper use of equipment.
- Adjust dialysate solution temperature according to protocol/prescription.
- Participate in monitoring the water treatment system.
- Recognize principles related to water treatment (ion exchange- absorption ).
- Perform quality control checks on equipment (test strips- glucose meter).
- Apply scientific principles of dialysis underlying patient care (e.g.- ultrafiltration).
- Mix concentrates from powder (e.g.- bicarbonate- electrolyte solution).
- Perform cannulation of a new access or a complicated access (e.g.- expert cannulator).
- Take corrective action (“troubleshoot”) when equipment malfunctions.
- Process patient’s laboratory samples.
- Identify/report/document an adverse event- e.g.- equipment malfunction- power failure).

III. Role Responsibilities - 16-20%
- Maintain patient’s privacy.
- Maintain patient’s confidentiality.
- Use proper body mechanics.
- Maintain safety of environment.
- Maintain patient’s dignity.
- Document findings and interventions/activities performed.
- Maintain appropriate caregiver/patient relationships.
- Encourage and support dialysis treatment prescription and adherence.
- Communicate patient’s treatment outcomes to appropriate personnel.
- Use appropriate communication techniques/skills (verbal/nonverbal).
- Report to another staff member prior to breaks or shift change (“hand off”).
- Identify and report changes in patient’s behavior.
- Start-up facility.
- Participate in an environment that is supportive of cultural diversity.
- Differentiate roles and responsibilities of care-team members.
- Serve as an active participant of performance improvement team.
- Shut down facility
- Reinforce patient education according to patient teaching plan/goals.
- Recognize/report need for patient education.
- Identify and report escalating behavior of patient- visitor- staff.
- Participate in precepting.
- Assist in defusing escalating behavior.
- Prepare for/respond to environmental emergencies (e.g.- fire) during treatment.
- Participate in patient emergency evacuation drills (e.g.- fire- natural disasters).

IV. Environment - 8-12%
- Use dialysis/standard precautions.
- Clean and disinfect dialysis equipment after use- e.g.- stethoscope- clamps- machine.
- Use chemicals to disinfect environmental surfaces.
- Follow infection control precautions- e.g.- isolation- vaccinations.
- Encourage other staff members to adhere to infection control and/or standard procedures.
- Maintain an environment to reduce risk for falls (spills/clutter in walkway).
- Assist with maintaining a safe environment according to regulations.
- Maintain an unobstructed emergency exit pathway.
- Maintain a therapeutic environment (noise reduction- temperature control).