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Attention to detail and compassion make a great patient care technician.
These important healthcare workers are essential in medicine and often support nurses and doctors in patient care.
Often compared to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), a patient care technician provides additional patient services that a CNA cannot.
These services can include EKG reading, drawing lab specimens, or blood.
Also, the requirements to work as a CNA vary from state to state –requiring recertification. CPCTs hold a national certificate.
A Certified Patient Care Technician is also an excellent entry-level position for those interested in a healthcare career.
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Certification Requirements for Montana Patient Care Technicians
The essential requirement for Montanans is taking and passing a pre-approved PCT course.
Candidates must also meet pre-enrollment needs, such as being 18 years or older and holding a high school diploma.
Many college-based programs require vaccination and background checks for licensing.
Once coursework and clinical hours are completed, a student may sit for the Certification Exam.
Patient Care Technicians are certified by the National Health Career Association, which administers the PCT Level I Exam.
The exam is a two-hour proctored exam consisting of 120 questions.
Patient Care Technician Schools in Montana
Montana’s education and certification requirements for working as a patient care tech are straightforward; completing a pre-approved class and passing a certification exam.
The Montana Nurse Aide Registry oversees these requirements.
There are only a handful of patient care technician programs in Montana.
PIMA – Patient Care Technician
The Patient Care Technician course at the PIMA Medical Institute is located directly on the University of Montana Western campus in Dillon, Montana.
Its patient care technician program is an 8-month in-person certificate course that teaches healthcare and patient care basics.
Students learn basic medical terminology, emergency room protocols, phlebotomy procedures, electrocardiography (EKG), and infection control.
Also included is preparation for the National Certified Patient Care Technician (NCPCT) exam.
Highlands College of Montana
The Highland College program is an in-person Certified Nursing Assistant program approved by the Montana Nurses Registry office.
The theoretical portion of the course lasts 50 hours, with 25 hours of clinical experience required.
In a Workforce training program, tuition for the course averages $1500 and includes all materials and state licensing exam fees.
Enrollment requirements include a high school diploma and 16-18 years of age.
Helena College University of Montana
Helena College at the University of Montana offers an online course.
The 300-hour course is designed to be completed within 12 months and teaches the basic skills needed to succeed as a certified patient care technician.
In addition to online training, the program supports the option of an externship.
Externships provide hands-on experience while fulfilling the clinical hours needed for state certification.
They also expose students to potential employment opportunities.
The cost of the CPCT program at Helena College begins at $2500.
This cost includes fees and materials, including the certification exam costs.
Bitterroot College, University of Montana
Bitterroot College’s patient care technician program is a Workforce Training program that does not require college admission.
It does require a basic application process.
Once admitted, completing the classroom portion takes 54 hours of instruction.
The clinical part requires approximately forty-eight hours of hands-on experience.
National Certification exam preparation is also included.
The cost of Bitterroot College’s program averages $1800 plus necessary fees and materials.
As a Workforce Training program, it is not eligible for the Federal Student Loan programs.
MedCerts Online Patient Care Technician Certificate
MedCerts is a pre-approved online certificate program for patient care technicians (CPCT) in Montana.
Supported by the National Health Career Association (NHA), this program is 23 weeks or approximately six months long.
Each student has a Personal Advisor.
Content from this 100% online course is administered through 3D animations and interactive activities.
Acceptance to the program requires an HS diploma.
The base cost of the course is $4000, including all textbooks, exam fees, and materials.
Installment payment plans are available, as are Workforce and Military education grants.
Patient Care Technician Schools in Montana – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| PIMA - Patient Care Technician | 434 E. Poindexter Street Dillon , MT 59725 |
| Highlands College of Montana | 25 Basin Creek Rd, Butte, MT 59701 |
| Helena College University of Montana | 1115 N Roberts St #117, Helena, MT 59601 |
| Bitterroot College, University of Montana | 103 S 9th St, Hamilton, MT 59840 |
| MedCerts Online Patient Care Technician Certificate |
Salary for Patient Care Technicians in Montana
Healthcare jobs will grow faster in the next decade than in other occupations.
And employment within the Patient Care Technician field is projected to grow by 21 percent by 2024 — adding over 250,000 jobs to 1.5 million active patient care technician positions in the United States.
A patient care technician’s average salary nationwide is $34,529.
With a range between $30,080 and $38,612.
Montana’s average patient care technician salary is $31,301, ranging from $27,268 to $35,002.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Billings | $33,068 |
| Missoula | $28,539 |
| Great Falls | $29,937 |
| Butte-Silver Bow | $28,539 |
| Bozeman | $28,539 |
| Helena | $29,056 |
| Kalispell | $30,323 |
| Havre | $29,419 |
| Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | $28,539 |
| Miles City | $32,550 |
Regional Salary in Montana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 880 | $40,820 | $19.63 | $57,460 | $31,620 |
| Great Falls, MT | 440 | $38,650 | $18.58 | $45,090 | $35,110 |
| Missoula, MT | 430 | $40,950 | $19.69 | $46,560 | $33,880 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between a CPCT and a CNA?
While there are some similarities between a Patient Care Technician and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
CNAs provide care under the registered nurse or physician’s supervision.
A certified patient care technician can perform additional duties, as determined by your state, such as using EKG machines, complex intakes, or drawing blood.
Are there more women or men as Patient Care Technicians?
There are over 150,000 Patient Care Technicians currently employed in the United States.
Of which, 81.0% are women, while 19.0% are men.
Where do CPCTs work?
Certified Patient Care Technicians predominantly work in private facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and assisted living communities.
However, other medical settings such as medical travel, home health, and even cruise lines hire patient care techs.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State