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PCT Certification

By Brenda Boston-Hudson posted 02-07-2010 21:22

  
Beginning October 14,2008, every patient care technician is expected to have completed training covering the curricula elements as defined by the New CMS Conditions for Coverage regulations prior to the technician delivering patient care. In addition, every PCT employed on October 14, 2008 is expected to be certified by a national  certification program or an equivalent state certification program by April 15, 2010.

Also, Patient care technicians hired after October 14,2008 must be certified within 18 months of their hire date as a PCT. If a PCT who is not certified changes jobs from one dialysis facility to another, the time he/she was employed in the first facility will count toward the 18-month deadline for certification unless he/she had a gap in employment as a PCT of more than 18 months.

Reference V tag 693 and 695
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Louann Elliott
04-01-2010 11:14

I am in Ohio, which has required Bonent certification for some years now. We occasionally have PCTs that do not take the Bonent in the allowed time. So far, we practice that they cannot work until they pass the test and are listed on the Ohio Board of Nursing as an Ohio Certified Dialysis Technician, which can take 4-7 weeks for that to happen. We also track them from the classroom until they take/pass the Bonent. We give them frequent reminders that their time is ticking down, starting about 9 months after the completion of their training because they are eligible for the Bonent at 12 months post training. Hope this helps.
Louann

Catherine Wells
03-04-2010 13:55

I am wondering how others are addressing the following problem-we have 2 PCTs that failed their test and can not retake it before April 15. We are trying to figure out the best way to handle this. Does anyone else have a policy? Do we fire and rehire them? Do we try to hold the position?
Catherine Wells, Jackson, MS