Patient Care Technician Training Programs

Lots of people find it pretty nerve-wracking to visit a doctor and lots of them feel stressed out and nervous when entering a facility.

It is a patient care technician who supports patients while taking care of them.

In fact, these specialists can help patients feel more comfortable and relaxed.

Speaking of their responsibilities, they are quite similar to those performed by certified nursing assistants (CNAs).

However, unlike CNAs, patients care technicians can also perform such tasks as blood collection and EKGs.

When patients check in for the first time and go to the exam room, it is patient care technicians who provide some basic services.

It includes such points as confirmation of a patient’s identity, measuring blood pressure as well as heart rate and pulse.

Usually, these specialists work with doctors and nurses and can examine patients, monitor their food intake, and help them with personal care issues.

In other words, patient care technicians are specialists who help patients a lot while reducing the workload of nurses and doctors.

If you like helping people and want to work in the healthcare system, you should consider becoming a Patient Care Technician (PCT).

Just keep in mind that you need to obtain some training so check the available options in your area.

This career is very rewarding and can provide you with some significant benefits.

To start working as a PCT, you need to choose an appropriate program and get the required training.

Patient Care Technician Programs

If you are interested in a patient care technician career, you need to know that there are several degrees available.

Most schools offer diploma programs that can be completed in about 9 months.

If you want to obtain an Associate’s degree in this sphere, you need to remember that it will take you about 2 years and there are only a few schools that offer this option.

Most training programs for patient care technicians aim to provide you with knowledge in 4 main areas.

The first one is basic patients care skills that are pretty similar to those that CNAs have so it can help you significantly if you have a CNA license.

The second area is related to the EKG procedure and includes the skills required for EKG equipment running.

The third area is phlebotomy which is a procedure of drawing blood from patients for analysis.

Finally, well-developed, advanced nursing skills are one of the most important aspects of PCT’s work.

Starting your training, you need to ensure it includes such courses as Health Care and Body Systems, Nursing Assistant Skills, and Phlebotomy.

Sometimes, you may be obliged to complete 2 different internships to obtain the required skills.

Usually, it is a CNA internship as a basic course and another internship that will help you get some extra skills.

Just keep in mind that most courses are focused on hands-on skills such as CPR, EKG Technology, and Advanced Nurse Assisting Skills

During these courses, you are going to work with dummies, real equipment, and even patients.

Certification And Job Outlook For Patient Care Technicians

Patient care technicians aren’t obliged to have a certification or a license.

Nevertheless, it can be pretty hard to find a job without certification as it proves your qualifications and proficiency.

You can apply for a Certified Patient Care Technician program that is offered by the National Health Career Association.

After completing it, you can sit for the CPCT exam that aims to tests you on basic patient care, patient care supplies, making beds, performing safety checks, EKG readings, and phlebotomy procedures.

As soon as you pass the exam successfully, you’ll get your certification as a patient care technician and start looking for your 1st job.

Just keep in mind that it should be renewed every two years and you need to complete at least 10 continuing education credits so you can do it.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, patient care technicians are considered nursing assistants.

Also, the growing demand for qualified PCTs is expected in the nearest future.

It means that a whole variety of excellent employment options will be available for qualified specialists.

An average salary of a nursing assistant is about $25 710 annually and it will increase with some extra training and working experience.

Patient care technicians work in various medical settings including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, ambulances, and so on.

Just keep in mind that this career involves lots of extra working hours including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

If you are interested in this career and want to know where you can get your training, below there is a list of schools that offer training programs in this area.

Online Training

Read more: Online Patient Care Technician Training Programs

Dakota College at Bottineau

Campus Locations: Online,
Matching Programs: Paramedic Technology – AAS, Paramedic Technology – Certificate
Program Types: Associate Degree, Certificate

California

American Career College

Campus Locations: Long Beach, CA / Los Angeles, CA / Ontario, CA
Matching Programs: Optical Technician
Program Types: Diploma

San Joaquin Valley College

Campus Locations: Ontario, CA / Temecula, CA / Visalia, CA
Matching Programs: Degree – Respiratory Therapy
Program Types: Associate Degree

Connecticut

Harris School of Business

Campus Locations: Danbury, CT / Hamilton, NJ / Linwood, NJ
Matching Programs: Health Claims Specialist Plus
Program Types: Certificate

Florida

City College

Campus Locations: Gainesville, FL
Matching Programs: A.S. – Veterinary Technician
Program Types: Associate Degree

Keiser University

Campus Locations: Daytona Beach, FL / Fort Lauderdale, FL / Fort Myers, FL / Lakeland, FL / Melbourne, FL / Orlando, FL / Sarasota, FL / Tallahassee, FL / Tampa, FL / West Palm Beach, FL
Matching Programs: Associate of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology – Lakeland, Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant – Daytona Beach, Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant – Fort Lauderdale, Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant – Fort Myers, Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant – Melbourne, Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant – Orlando, Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant – Tallahassee, Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant – Tampa, Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant – West Palm Beach, Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant, Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant – Fort Lauderdale, Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant – Lakeland, Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant – Sarasota, Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant – West Palm Beach, Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy – Fort Lauderdale
Program Types: Associate Degree

Indiana

Harrison College

Campus Locations: Fort Wayne, IN / Indianapolis (East), IN
Matching Programs: Medical Laboratory Technology AAS
Program Types: Associate Degree

Massachusetts

Branford Hall Career Institute

Campus Locations: Springfield, MA / Windsor, CT
Matching Programs: Health Claims Specialist
Program Types0: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: ABHES

Michigan

Baker College

Campus Locations: Clinton Township, MI / Flint, MI / Jackson, MI / Muskegon, MI
Matching Programs: Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic – Certificate
Program Types: Associate Degree, Certificate

Dorsey Schools

Campus Locations: Dearborn, MI
Matching Programs: Patient Care Technician Diploma
Program Types: Diploma

Everest Institute

Campus Locations: Detroit, MI
Matching Programs: Patient Care Technician
Program Types: Diploma

Minnesota

Rasmussen College

Campus Locations: Blaine, MN / Bloomington, MN / Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove, MN / Eagan, MN / Green Bay, WI / Lake Elmo, MN / Land O Lakes/East Pasco, FL / St. Cloud, MN
Matching Programs: Medical Laboratory Technician Associate Degree
Program Types: Associate Degree, Certificate

New Hampshire

Salter School of Nursing

Campus Locations: Manchester, NH
Matching Programs: Patient Care Technician
Program Types: Certificate

New Jersey

Eastwick College

Campus Locations: Ramsey, NJ
Matching Programs: AAS in Occupational Therapy Assistant
Program Types: Associate Degree

North Carolina

Miller-Motte College

Campus Locations: Raleigh, NC
Matching Programs: Veterinary Technology – Diploma
Program Types: Associate Degree

South College

Campus Locations: Asheville, NC / Knoxville, TN
Matching Programs: AAS Physical Therapist Assistant
Program Types: Associate Degree

Ohio

The University of Toledo

Campus Locations: Ground, OH
Matching Programs: Pre-Optometry
Program Types: Associate Degree

Pennsylvania

Brightwood Career Institute

Campus Locations: Franklin Mills, PA
Matching Programs: Respiratory Care – Associates
Program Types: Associate Degree

Rhode Island

New England Institute of Technology

Campus Locations: East Greenwich, RI
Matching Programs: AS – Occupational Therapy Assistant, AS – Paramedic Technology, AS – Physical Therapist Assistant, AS – Respiratory Care
Program Types: Associate Degree

Tennessee

Fortis College

Campus Locations: Atlanta, GA / Cookeville, TN / Nashville, TN
Matching Programs: Emergency Medical Technician, Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiologic Technology
Program Types: Associate Degree, Diploma

Texas

Brightwood College

Campus Locations: Laredo, TX / Lubbock, TX / San Antonio, TX / Vista, CA
Matching Programs: Healthcare Assistant, Holistic Health Practitioner, Patient Care Technician, Patient Care Technician – Diploma, Phlebotomy/EKG Technician – Diploma
Program Types: Diploma

South Texas Vocational Technical Institute

Campus Locations: Brownsville, TX / McAllen, TX / Weslaco, TX
Matching Programs: Medical Administrative Assisting Technology – Diploma
Program Types: Diploma

Virginia

Virginia College

Campus Locations: Richmond, VA
Matching Programs: Occupational Therapy Assistant
Program Types: Associate Degree

Washington

Charter College

Campus Locations: Anchorage, AK / Fife, WA / Lacey, WA / Oxnard, CA / Pasco, WA / Vancouver, WA / Yakima, WA
Matching Programs: AAS – Allied Health
Program Types: Associate Degree

Pennsylvania

McCann School of Business & Technology

Campus Locations: Allentown, PA / Pottsville, PA
Matching Programs: Phlebotomist – Diploma, Phlebotomist – Diploma
Program Types: Diploma