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If you ever thought about working in a medical care environment without attending years of schooling, perhaps start out with Patient Care Technician training.
You can work in less than a year and continue practicing your skills while still in school.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Patient Care Technician in New York
A Patient Care Technician (PCT) or Patient Care Associate (PCA) usually works while supervised by a Registered Nurse (RN) or a doctor.
Therefore, they do not need a license in New York.
If you want to pursue a PCT or PCA position, however, most medical facilities require certification.
The training you receive will prepare you for a variety of tasks, such as preparing patients for testing, taking patient vital signs, and sanitizing patient rooms.
You also may train for blood testing that requires being punctured (Phlebotomist).
In addition, you may learn how to run heart testing and monitoring machines and interpret heart rhythm results (EKG Technician).
Possible credentialing opportunities include the Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) offered by the National Patient Care Technicians Association (NPTCA) or the Patient Care Technician (PCT) offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
The National Healthcare Workers Association (NHCWA) provides a related PCT credential called the Nationally Certified Multi-Skilled Patient Care Technician (NCMSPCT).
Otherwise, you could attend training that will earn you the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) credential offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Another choice available to you in New York may be the National Performance Specialist (NPS) Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) credential.
More related credentials include the Phlebotomy Technician (PT-C) or ECG Technician (ECG-C) certificates offered by the National Association of Healthcare Technicians (NAHT).
An additional similar certificate to the PCT is the Medical Assistant (MA-CERT).
The NHA and NPS offer similar credentials you can combine with your PCT training.
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in New York
1. Royal Learning Institute (RLI)
The Patient Care Technician Program at RLI will train you for a variety of duties, such as reading EKG machine results and performing phlebotomy duties.
Your PCT certificate training will also prepare you for related administrative duties, such as recording and interpreting patient results.
Topics covered will also prepare you for nurse aid duties, such as helping patients dress and bathe or take medication.
2. ABC Training Center
You can prepare for the Patient Care Technician credential at ABC Training Center. Coursework duration will vary from several weeks to several months.
If you already have a CNA credential, you can just enroll in the PCT course.
It will enhance your knowledge and help you prepare for certificate renewals.
It is also perfect for new students.
This instruction will prepare you for one of several national certification exams.
3. Lehman College
The Continuing Education (CE) programs offered at this school will enhance your PCT skill set.
You will receive CPR, EKG reading, phlebotomy, and First Aid training.
Receive hands-on, in-person training and attend online courses.
One of the credentials it prepares you for includes the NHA certificate.
4. The College of Staten Island
This college offers you the chance to earn your NHA PCT credential.
In this 100% certificate course, you will experience the practical side of patient care and learn related medical terms.
Our job will also prepare you for work in a physical therapy office.
In addition, you may end up taking classes in wound dressing and learning how to treat sores.
Your time in this training will prepare you for patient mobility assisting too.
Use this class to prepare for your clinical experience or for updating a current certificate.
5. New Age Training
This training is ideal for you if you already have a CNA credential.
It will add phlebotomy and EKG machine operating skills to your list of professional duties.
You will spend 125 hours in this training.
Prepare for work in an urgent care clinic, rehabilitation center, long-term care facility, nursing home, or a hospital.
Patient Care Technician Schools in New York – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Royal Learning Institute | 254 W 29th St 2nd fl, New York, NY 10001 |
| ABC Training Center | 50 E Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY 10468 |
| Lehman College | 250 Bedford Park Blvd W, Bronx, NY 10468 |
| The College of Staten Island | 2800 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314 |
| New Age Training | 145 W 30th St 8th floor, New York, NY 10001 |
Salary
A New York Patient Care Technician can earn an average yearly income of $41,539 according to a 2022 report.
Salaries range from $36,187 to $46,450.
Cities you can seek jobs in besides “The City” (Manhattan) include Flushing, Brooklyn, Kew Gardens, or The Bronx.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $41,539 |
| Buffalo | $33,021 |
| Rochester | $34,039 |
| Yonkers | $39,801 |
| Syracuse | $34,034 |
| Albany | $34,937 |
| New Rochelle | $39,636 |
| Mount Vernon | $39,783 |
| Schenectady | $34,955 |
| Utica | $33,065 |
Regional Salary in New York
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 3,810 | $39,670 | $19.07 | $45,620 | $34,520 |
| Binghamton, NY | 1,300 | $37,060 | $17.82 | $42,990 | $31,650 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY | 4,760 | $39,030 | $18.77 | $45,560 | $33,540 |
| Elmira, NY | 370 | $36,490 | $17.54 | $41,870 | $32,180 |
| Glens Falls, NY | 510 | $39,300 | $18.9 | $46,080 | $35,230 |
| Ithaca, NY | 360 | $42,340 | $20.35 | $47,170 | $35,860 |
| Kingston, NY | 360 | $40,210 | $19.33 | $45,410 | $35,190 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 80,540 | $47,450 | $22.81 | $56,780 | $38,700 |
| Rochester, NY | 4,730 | $39,970 | $19.22 | $45,080 | $34,190 |
| Syracuse, NY | 2,950 | $39,460 | $18.97 | $46,370 | $33,770 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | 1,490 | $37,890 | $18.22 | $44,370 | $34,010 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | 240 | $37,030 | $17.8 | $45,290 | $32,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a patient care technician?
A Patient Care Technician is a health care worker who provides basic patient care services, such as taking vital signs, dressing, and bathing, preparing patients for an EKG reading, and collecting blood test samples.
Part of your time will also involve keeping patients as comfortable as possible and providing them some positivity while receiving treatment.
What is the job outlook for Patient Care Technicians?
Employment of Patient Care Technicians is projected to grow about 8% from 2020 to 2030.
You can expect a yearly average of 192,800 job openings until 2030.
What are the requirements to become a Patient Care Technician?
Most Patient Care Technicians have at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education or certification.
What are the skills needed to be a patient care technician?
Patient care technicians should have good communication and interpersonal skills when working with people undergoing testing and treatment.
A steady hand is ideal when taking blood samples and placing electrical EKG machine wiring on the people you treat.
You must be ready to handle several patients at once too.
While doing so, you must make sure you provide accurate recordkeeping services.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State