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If you are interested in a career in the healthcare industry in Iowa, you may want to consider a career as a patient care technician (PCT).
These candidates are seen as the jack of all trades in the healthcare industry due to their wide range of skills and knowledge.
The position is most suited to candidates that have a high degree of empathy, work well with others, and demonstrate attention to detail in their work.
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Licensing Requirements to Become A Patient Care Technician in Iowa
In order to become a qualified PCT, candidates should select an accredited training program, and pursue that program.
The Iowa Registry requires that candidates pursue a nursing assistants program in order to qualify as a PCT.
In addition, PCTs in Iowa are similar in many respects to nursing assistants (CNA) or nurse aides.
In order to qualify for entry into the training program, the candidate should meet all of the entry requirements for such a program in the state of Iowa, which includes:
- Passing a drug screening
- Having a clear criminal record
- Passing a TB skin test
- Candidates must be immunized for the following:
- Varicella
- Tetanus
- Hepatitis B
- Flu
- MMR
Students are eligible to sit for the National Health Career Association (NHA) exam after completing the course.
There is a $149 exam fee that must be paid before students can sit for the exam.
Some online courses include a voucher that covers the exam fee.
The NHA exam covers five critical sections that evaluate the skills and knowledge of the student:
- Compliance, Safety, and Professional Responsibility (20%)
- EKG (10%)
- Patient Care (45%)
- Phlebotomy (14%)
- Infection Control (11%)
The NHA test consists of 100 questions and 20 pre-test questions.
Students must complete the examination within a two-hour period.
Students may also be eligible to sit for the exam provided that they have more than 12 months of industry experience.
Students are required to meet the minimum requirements for entry into the exam:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Be 18 or older
- Graduate from a qualified training course
- Pay the exam fee – $149
- Show proof of citizenship or nationality
- Hand in a set of fingerprints
Students must register with The Iowa Nurse Registry to be considered a qualified Patient Care Technician upon successfully completing the exam.
CNA certification is included in most, but not all, courses in the state of Iowa.
There are certain schools in Iowa that may require that a student be certified as a CNA before they are able to pursue a training course as a PCT.
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in Iowa
The following five schools in the state of Iowa offer either in-class or online programs that prepare students for a career as patient care technicians.
Iowa Central Community College
The school is located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and offers a 12-month online course as a patient care technician.
The course consists of 300 credits and includes a voucher for payment for the national exam.
Tuition for this course is $2,495.00 and upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the Certified Patient Care Technician Level I Exam.
Requirements for this course include:
- Access to a PC and email
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Google Chrome and Firefox
- Windows 8 or later
Mercy One
This school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and offers a patient care technician certificate course.
The course is made up of 120 hours of lab work, clinical hours, and classroom theory.
In addition, candidates are required to assist clinical staff at Mercy One Des Moines to provide patient care.
This course is designed for candidates without prior knowledge or exposure as certified nursing assistants.
Upon completion of the course, students are eligible to be registered as certified patient care technicians.
Indian Hills Community College
The school offers a Nurse Aide (CNA) Certification Program.
Courses are offered at the Ottumwa Campus from Monday through Thursday, from 7:45 am to 3:15 pm.
Students receive two days of clinical simulation in the lab from 7:45 am to 3:45 pm.
Tuition for this course is $730.00, which includes tuition, fees, books, and a background check.
North Iowa Area Community College
The school offers a certificate course for a nurse aid.
The course is developed with six core focus areas.
35 hours are spent on classroom theory and 20 hours of lab work.
In addition, students spend 30 hours working in a nursing facility.
Tuition for this course is $730.50.
Upon completion, students must sit for the national exam with a minimum pass rate of 70% in order to be registered with the Iowa Nurse Aide Registry.
Western Iowa Tech Community College
This school offers an online patient care technician course that runs over 12 months and includes a voucher for payment of the national exam fee.
Tuition for this course is $2,495.00.
There are certain requirements in order for candidates to participate in this course:
- Access to a PC and email
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Google Chrome and Firefox
- Windows 8 or later
Upon successful completion of the course, students may sit for the Certified Patient Care Technician Level I Exam.
Patient Care Technician Schools in Iowa – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Iowa Central Community College | One Triton Cir, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 |
| Mercy One | 1111 6th Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50314 |
| Indian Hills Community College | 525 Grandview Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501 |
| North Iowa Area Community College | 500 College Dr, Mason City, IA 50401 |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | 4647 Stone Ave, Sioux City, IA 51106 |
Salary
Candidates that pursue a career in the healthcare industry as a patient care technician may expect a salary range between $28,787 to $36,952 per year.
This is the average salary in the state of Iowa for patient care technicians.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $33,346 |
| Cedar Rapids | $32,761 |
| Davenport | $32,862 |
| Sioux City | $29,388 |
| Waterloo | $31,328 |
| Iowa City | $32,492 |
| Council Bluffs | $32,645 |
| Dubuque | $32,501 |
| Ames | $33,035 |
| West Des Moines | $33,346 |
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 520 | $39,230 | $18.86 | $44,840 | $35,540 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,460 | $38,900 | $18.7 | $45,280 | $33,960 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 2,030 | $37,840 | $18.19 | $45,640 | $31,280 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 3,820 | $39,990 | $19.23 | $46,640 | $35,320 |
| Dubuque, IA | 790 | $39,910 | $19.19 | $46,900 | $33,890 |
| Iowa City, IA | 1,120 | $37,280 | $17.93 | $45,440 | $32,610 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 1,150 | $39,270 | $18.88 | $44,720 | $33,310 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 1,260 | $38,510 | $18.51 | $43,940 | $32,340 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for a patient care technician in the state of Iowa?
On average, the hourly rate for a patient care technician in Iowa is $18.39 per hour.
PCTs may work full-time or part-time, depending on the job, the facility, and the requirements.
For candidates with more than ten years of experience, the hourly rate goes up to $21,36 per hour.
Which city in Iowa offers the highest and the lowest hourly rate for a PCT?
Mason City, Iowa, offers a $28,25 hourly rate, as per Indeed, for a patient care technician.
Bloomfield, Iowa offers the lowest hourly rate at $13,54 per hour.
What positions are similar to patient care technicians in Iowa?
There are a few positions that are similar to this job:
- Nursing assistant
- Medical technician
- Patient assistant
- Personal care assistant
- Certified medical assistant
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State