Satellite Healthcare Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) Earn CMS Required Certification by April 15th Deadline

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Satellite Healthcare, one of the nation's first and leading not-for-profit kidney dialysis service providers and a major sponsor of nephrology research, announced today that all of its Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) have fulfilled the new certification requirement mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

"Patients are our top priority and PCTs are an essential part of excellent patient care. We applaud CMS for recognizing the important role of PCTs in the care of dialysis patients," stated Marc Branson, EVP of Dialysis Services for Satellite Healthcare.  "In addition, I'm extremely proud of the leadership and dedicated effort our staff has shown to ensure that all of our PCTs, more than 480 in over 30 centers in 2 states, passed the required proficiency examination before the deadline."

PCTs provide direct care to dialysis patients in dialysis centers under the supervision and direction of a dialysis nurse.  They initiate, monitor and discontinue dialysis treatments and are trained to closely watch for abnormalities and complications that may occur during treatment.

In October of 2008, CMS revised their Conditions of Coverage for Dialysis Facilities, which sets the rules for clinics to become eligible for Medicare and Medicaid funding. The new rules state that, as of April 15, 2010, PCTs working at a dialysis clinic must have passed a national certification exam or a state-approved standardize test. In addition to passing the exam, CMS mandates PCTs must have either 4 years of work experience or possess a minimum of a high school diploma (or GED) and have completed hemodialysis patient care training that includes classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience.

While some dialysis providers are struggling to meet the PCT certification deadline, Satellite Healthcare saw the new requirement as an opportunity.

"Patients trust us to surround them with an experienced team of dialysis professionals. Other dialysis subspecialties, such as physicians, nurses, social workers, and dietitians, all have credential requirements," said Rosemary Fox, COO and VP of Dialysis Services. "This was a natural extension of our company's emphasis on encouraging and supporting all our staff to meet the highest level of education, training, and certification possible."

For more information about Satellite Healthcare and its mission to make life better for those with Chronic Kidney Disease, please visit www.SatelliteHealth.com.

About Satellite Healthcare

Satellite Healthcare, Inc. is one of the nation's first and leading providers of dialysis services and kidney disease care. With its affiliated services – Satellite WellBound, Satellite Dialysis and Satellite Research, Satellite Healthcare provides early patient wellness education, personalized clinical services and a complete range of dialysis therapy choices. This comprehensive offering allows Satellite Healthcare to advance the standard of chronic kidney disease care so patients can achieve a better life. For more information, visit www.satellitehealth.com.

Better care. Better life. Better choice.™

SOURCE Satellite Healthcare, Inc.