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If you become a Patient Care Technician in Missouri, you’d perform some of the same duties as a certified nursing assistant.
However, you would not need the direct supervision that a CNA requires.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Patient Care Technician in Missouri
Missouri does not list specific requirements for a person with a “Patient Care Technician” (PCT) title.
Therefore, you have plenty of options.
One of the most important things to remember is that you will need to apply to the Missouri Nurse Aid Registry if you want recognition as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the state.
One of the PCT credentialing options you have is through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
The NHA offers the CPCT/A, and other associations, such as the American Education Certification Association (AECA) and the National Performance Specialists (NPS) provide it as well.
More than likely, your training will prepare you for the NHA certification exam.
However, you might discover while exploring the career options that you would want to prepare for a Medical Assistant certificate instead.
Other options include one of the nursing certificates, which requires taking and passing an NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN exam.
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in Missouri
1. St. Charles Community College
St. Charles Community College offers a Patient Care Technician program that will prepare you to work with doctors, nurses, and other staff.
You will undergo clinical training in addition to your classes, which will put your patient care skills into practice.
For example, you will develop skills in reading vital signs and providing operative support both before and after surgery, and you will know how to apply heat and cold compresses.
Your PCT instruction at this school might also make you comfortable with blood drawing for tests and providing respiratory care services.
St. Charles has teamed up with both BJC Healthcare and SSM Health to train students for hire quickly.
Course dates for this workforce training usually last about seven to eight weeks, with the next sessions occurring from July to August 2022 and October to November 2022.
2. St. Louis College of Health Careers
The Patient Care Technician Diploma at St. Louis College takes place over two semesters (less than one year).
This PCT training includes phlebotomy (blood drawing for tests), EKG machine operating and heart rhythm reading, and vital sign measurement practice.
Your hands-on and classroom instruction will prepare you for work in a rehabilitation facility, nursing home, assisted living center, hospice and home care, hospitals, and more.
3. Bolivar Technical College
Bolivar Technical College has a Medical Assistant (MA) training program that teaches you similar duties as a Patient Care Technician.
It allows you the chance to find out what working as a nurse would be like without committing to more than a year of schooling.
The program lasts from eight months to a year, depending on your certificate or degree desired.
Your hands-on instruction teaches you many of the same skills as would training to become a PCT.
These include wound care, and staying alongside patients undergoing blood, heart, or other tests.
You might work in wound care, cancer, emergency room, or dialysis center after receiving MA training.
This instruction could also provide you with some of the skills needed as a Dialysis Patient Care Assistant.
4. Southeast Health College of Nursing and Health Sciences
This school may fulfill your career goals of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) if you have already worked as a PCT, CNA, Medical Assistant, or a Licensed Practical Nurse for a while.
This training will help you transition from an LPN to RN either full-time or part-time.
Accelerated learning tracks are also available.
5. State Fair Community College
You can expand your existing PCT training with a certificate in Medical Assisting or Nurse Aide.
Both options take about a year or two, depending on if you enroll in the certificate or Associate degree option.
Certification of this instruction would prepare you to include the MA, CNA, or CMT credentials, all of which offer similar job prospects as the PCT.
Patient Care Technician Schools in Missouri – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| St. Charles Community College | 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr, Cottleville, MO 63376 |
| St. Louis College of Health Careers | 909 S Taylor Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 |
| Bolivar Technical College | 1135 N Oakland Ave, Bolivar, MO 65613 |
| Southeast Health College of Nursing and Health Sciences | 2001 William St, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 |
| State Fair Community College | 3201 W 16th St, Sedalia, MO 65301 |
Salary
In St. Louis, MO, the average yearly income reported for a Patient Care Technician was $33,998 as of 2022.
The salary typically ranges from $29,617 and $38,017.
You can accumulate your certificates, however, to earn $40,000 or more per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas City | $33,863 |
| St. Louis | $33,998 |
| Springfield | $32,623 |
| Independence | $33,826 |
| Columbia | $33,620 |
| St. Joseph | $33,564 |
| Lee's Summit | $33,734 |
| St. Charles | $33,814 |
| St. Peters | $33,740 |
| Florissant | $33,942 |
Regional Salary in Missouri
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 710 | $33,850 | $16.28 | $35,880 | $29,130 |
| Columbia, MO | 1,730 | $37,490 | $18.03 | $45,200 | $30,940 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 570 | $34,540 | $16.61 | $36,720 | $29,130 |
| Joplin, MO | 900 | $35,020 | $16.84 | $39,630 | $29,420 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 11,980 | $38,780 | $18.65 | $44,840 | $33,680 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 640 | $37,140 | $17.86 | $43,930 | $29,730 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 12,530 | $37,810 | $18.18 | $44,400 | $31,010 |
| Springfield, MO | 2,560 | $34,350 | $16.51 | $38,040 | $28,930 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Missouri Patient Care Technician Training Cost?
It usually costs about $5,000-$6,000 per year for a certificate program.
Variables affecting the cost include how much equipment and exam expenses are covered by the school.
State-approved learning centers do make you eligible for financial aid.
Do you need a degree to become a Patient Care Technician?
No, you do not need a degree to work in this role in Missouri.
In some cases, you may receive supervision from an LPN, RN, or doctor before you receive the PCT, MA, CNA, or another certificate.
You can, however, pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree if you intend on working towards an RN certificate.
What does a Missouri Patient Care Assistant do?
A Missouri Patient Care Assistant helps patients with bathing, eating, dressing, or housekeeping.
They also perform additional activities as needed, such as patient blood draws or EKG machine readings if trained for that.
A PCT also spends quite a bit of time consoling patients nervous about tests and procedures.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State