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As you consider a career as a patient care technician in South Carolina, there are plenty of schools to attend.
You will have no problem finding a training program, but you will need to qualify for training and licensing.
This is a field of expertise in the medical industry where certification and state licensing are a must to work with the public.
Discover more details about what it takes to become a patient care technician or PCT in this southeastern state.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become a Patient Care Technician
Start with getting your high school diploma or an equivalent GED.
All schools that offer a patient care technician (PCT) certificate with online or on-campus training require students to have several perquisites.
These perquisites include each of the following certifications and personal health and identity checks:
- South Carolina CNA certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- National Instant Criminal Background Check by the FBI
- 10-panel drug screening
- Full set of vaccinations
You will also need to have payments ready for various fees, such as drug screening and vaccinations.
There will also be a fee to take the patient care technician certification exam.
Once you have completed training, you must pass the PCT certification exam.
According to the National Association for Psychometric Competency Testing (NAPCT), the cost of a certified patient care technician (CPCT) certification is $150.
This includes three chances to pass the exam, as well as study materials and practice exams.
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in South Carolina
Aiken Technical College
Attend the Aiken Technical College (ATC) to complete training in two semesters.
This leads to becoming an entry-level patient care technician (PCT).
ATC qualifies the patient care technician certification as one of the nursing programs.
The program requires 38 total credit hours, and credit hours vary from $189 to $267 depending on residency status.
Carolina Nursing Assistant Program Academy
The Carolina Nursing Assistant Program Academy (CNAPA) offers classes in Columbia, South Carolina.
The patient care technician program covers certified nursing assistants, EKG technicians, and phlebotomist training.
The total estimated cost for the program is $4,384 without covering certification exam fees and equipment.
Spartanburg Community College
In Spartanburg, SC, students can attend Spartanburg Community College (SCC) for patient care technician training.
The college’s PCT training is a 12-week program.
Students train to work in the hospital, doctor’s offices, and nursing home facilities.
The program covers a variety of important areas, including phlebotomy, electrocardiogram (ECG), medical terminology, and principles of patient safety.
The total cost, including textbooks, is $4,065.
Workforce Pathways Scholarship funds are available to select students who apply.
LaTrice D. Ferguson School of Nursing Assistants
The LaTrice D. Ferguson (LDF) School of Nursing Assistants is located in Walterboro, SC.
The patient care technician training is an eight-week program.
Students go to class each Tuesday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
This training is available for students who meet the coursework prerequisites.
Along with a PCT certificate, students can earn seven additional and related healthcare certificates.
This includes a nursing assistant, a phlebotomy technician, a medication technician, a certified medical assistant, and an EKG technician.
The cost for tuition ranges from $1,162 to $1,770 for the total program.
Piedmont Technical College
The fifth school in this state for patient care technician training is Piedmont Technical College.
Patient care technician training is available in Greenwood, SC at the Lex Walters Campus.
Upon graduation from the program, students are eligible to take the National Certified Patient Care Technician (NCPCT) exam, as well as other technician examinations.
Students who earn a certificate are also qualified to be certified nursing assistants (CNA).
From here, other pathways to training include programs to certify as phlebotomists and ECG cardiographic technicians.
The cost for students ranges per credit hour and whether the student is part-time or full-time, and if they are in a certain county, out of state, or international.
The tuition cost ranges anywhere from $184.25 to $4,143 per credit hour.
Patient Care Technician Schools in South Carolina – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Aiken Technical College | 2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Graniteville, SC 29829 |
| Carolina Nursing Assistant Program Academy | 2712 Middleburg Dr # 222, Columbia, SC 29204 |
| Spartanburg Community College | 107 Community College Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303 |
| LaTrice D. Ferguson School of Nursing Assistants | 254 Green Pond Hwy, Walterboro, SC 29488 |
| Piedmont Technical College | 620 Emerald Rd N, Greenwood, SC 2964 |
Salary
The average annual salary for a patient care technician in South Carolina is $38,319.
PCTs can earn anywhere from $28,155 to $36,141 as of May 2022, according to Salary.com.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $31,996 |
| Charleston | $32,790 |
| North Charleston | $32,790 |
| Greenville | $32,799 |
| Rock Hill | $33,987 |
| Mount Pleasant | $32,790 |
| Spartanburg | $32,271 |
| Sumter | $30,876 |
| Hilton Head Island | $32,236 |
| Florence | $31,125 |
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 2,440 | $37,770 | $18.16 | $43,970 | $31,140 |
| Columbia, SC | 4,810 | $34,000 | $16.35 | $38,890 | $24,680 |
| Florence, SC | 1,190 | $31,910 | $15.34 | $37,710 | $24,960 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 3,600 | $36,070 | $17.34 | $43,650 | $29,030 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 650 | $35,460 | $17.05 | $38,430 | $29,250 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 1,160 | $33,260 | $15.99 | $38,620 | $27,860 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 1,790 | $35,270 | $16.96 | $42,710 | $27,800 |
| Sumter, SC | 340 | $32,440 | $15.6 | $36,070 | $23,570 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Does a Student Go to Take the Patient Care Technician Exam in South Carolina?
According to the National Health Career Association, the certified patient care technician/assistant (CPCT/A) can be taken online or in-person with live remote proctoring.
Otherwise, most schools will offer the CPCT on campus or at a testing center offsite.
What is the Role of a Patient Care Technician in South Carolina?
A patient care technician in South Carolina works directly with patients.
This includes taking vital signs with an EKG monitor and performing blood tests.
A patient care technician is also the person who listens to the patient regarding their concerns as part of the admissions process.
The PCT will also be responsible for sharing information with nurses and doctors as part of total care for patients.
How Long is CPCT/A Certification Good for as a Patient Care Technician?
The CPCT/A Certification is a credential received by a qualified patient care technician after they have successfully passed the CPCT/A exam.
This training is good for two years, and at this point, the technician must recertify every two years.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State