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Kansas is famous for the Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz connection, as well as tornados.
But did you know you could also attend college for patient care technicians here in this Midwestern state?
This is true, and you can also prepare for other types of medical training to supplement your career.
See more about what you need to become a patient care technician in Kansas before making that whirlwind life change.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become a Patient Care Technician in Kansas
The state of Kansas does not have that many requirements for students who want to become professional patient care technicians.
There is an age limit of 18 along with the requirement to have a GED or high school diploma.
National certifications in patient care technician are required by employers, which involves sitting for a patient care tech exam upon graduation.
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in Kansas
WSU Tech
At WSU Tech in Wichita, Kansas, students have access to the leading patient care technician program in the state.
This is one of the only formal PCT training programs in KS.
As a result, expect there to be some competition among other students with just getting into the program.
The course includes phlebotomy training a total of 34 credit hours.
Only currently enrolled high school students can attend the program, which is something to consider.
Costs are not disclosed, but start at $85 a credit hour and include $41 in fees per credit hour.
Neosho County Community College
The Neosho County Community College has a medical assistant certificate program that is similar to patient care tech training.
Students earn the training needed to sit for the registered medical assistant exam or RMA when they graduate.
Do notice this is not the same as the patient care technician exam.
However, a certified medical assistant offers services like those of a PCT and will find the same kind of employment opportunities.
The program is one and a half years with two semesters of summer classes. In total, the coursework is 41 or 42 hours. The price is not clear.
Salina Tech
Students at Salina Tech have the chance to take a course as certified medication aides.
While not exactly the same as a patient care technician, this training and certification as a medication aide is also known as a CMA.
Students learn the skills needed to administer prescription drugs and manage prescription dosing.
The program is $789 and takes six to eight weeks to complete.
Students receive a certificate of completion when they graduate.
Flint Hills Technical College
The Flint Hills Technical College provides students with a health occupation technology pathway.
This training takes one year and concludes with a technical certificate.
Students who are in the training program are interested in working as home health aides, restorative aides, and certified nurse aides or CNAs.
The total cost for the technical certificate as of 2022 and 2023 is $4,097 and includes two semesters of training.
Students also need to pay a $20 fee for the test administration fee and $30 for scrubs.
University of Missouri – Kansas City
At the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC), students in the nursing and health studies area of studies can add a Minor in Health Sciences to their degree.
This is in conjunction with a Bachelor of Health degree.
Students interested in patient advocacy work and as patient care technicians can get into this program.
The information regarding tuition is not currently available to the public.
Patient Care Technician Schools in Kansas – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| WSU Tech | 4004 N Webb Rd, Wichita, KS 67226 |
| Neosho County Community College | 800 W 14th St, Chanute, KS 66720 |
| Salina Tech | 2562 Centennial Rd, Salina, KS 67401 |
| Flint Hills Technical College | 3301 W 18th Ave, Emporia, KS 66801 |
| University of Missouri – Kansas City | 5000 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64110 |
Salary for Patient Care Techs in Kansas
If you consider a career as a patient care tech in Kansas, the estimated salary in Wichita is $33,252.
This is at a range from $28,967 to $37,183 and varies according to the person’s skills, training, and work experience.
In Logan, KS, for comparison, a patient care technician earns $32,473 on average a year, which is slightly less than in Wichita.
Ultimately, in bigger cities, there will be better-paying jobs for PCTs compared to less-paying employment in rural areas.
This is common among the Midwestern cities, due to the supply and demand for services based on population density.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wichita | $33,252 |
| Overland Park | $33,777 |
| Kansas City | $33,897 |
| Topeka | $32,281 |
| Olathe | $33,685 |
| Lawrence | $32,794 |
| Shawnee | $33,777 |
| Salina | $32,906 |
| Manhattan | $31,936 |
| Hutchinson | $32,906 |
Regional Salary in Kansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | 470 | $35,330 | $16.99 | $38,590 | $31,090 |
| Manhattan, KS | 520 | $35,680 | $17.16 | $43,310 | $29,890 |
| Topeka, KS | 2,100 | $36,120 | $17.37 | $41,870 | $30,990 |
| Wichita, KS | 4,870 | $35,000 | $16.83 | $42,890 | $30,320 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much is the Patient Care Technician Exam Fee in Kansas?
The cost to take the patient care technician exam in Kansas is $149, depending on the facility and testing center.
You might also have fees, including late fees for signing up after a certain period for the exam.
Additionally, there are also the national exams that can be taken instead of the KS PCT exams for employment purposes.
The national patient care technician certification exam fee is only $119, for comparison.
What is the Legal Age for Patient Care Techs in KS?
In KS, the legal minimum age for anyone interested in going to school to become a patient care technician is 18.
This is in conjunction with law requirements for working with health care patients as dictated by employers in the industry.
Are Jobs Easy to Find for Patient Care Technicians in Kansas?
Jobs are available for patient care technicians in Kansas by many small to large size companies.
This includes medical supply companies and dialysis providers, as well as health offices and medical labs.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State