Patient Care Technician

To become a PCT, you’ll need to have a high school diploma and complete a PCT training program, which includes a Nursing Assistant Certification (6-week day program, 10-week night program) and a Phlebotomy Technician Certification (5-week day program and 9-week evening program). After completing a PCT training program, or acquiring equivalent work experience, you can become a certified patient care technician/assistant (CPCT/A) by passing a PCT Certification exam. 

Patient Care Technicians (PCT) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) both play essential roles in the medical field. These positions are similar, but a PCT can perform more tasks than a CNA and typically earns more money.

Many people find the work rewarding because both jobs entail interacting with patients and helping them through difficult times in their lives. If you're interested in working in the medical field but don't want to take the time to train as a nurse or physician, consider becoming a CNA or a PCT.

Job Description

Certified Nurse Assistants provide basic care to patients, including taking vital signs, feeding, and bathing. In addition, CNAs often work with medical technology, such as billing software, health information software, and medical record charting software.  
PCTs perform the same tasks as nursing assistants, but they're also trained to perform additional medical jobs, such as ECG and EKG readings and Phlebotomy drawing blood.

If you’re motivated to provide hands-on assistance and make a real difference in patients’ lives, earning your PCT can prepare you for your dream job.

Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals rely on  PCT - Patient Care Technicians to assist with the critical day-to-day care some patients need.  As a PCT, you’ll provide hands-on assistance to serve patients’ basic needs, as well as work alongside other healthcare professionals.

More and more patients require special care, sometimes around-the-clock. Needs vary from patient to patient, making it vital that the Patient Care Technician/Assistant has a diverse range of knowledge and skills to provide their basic care.

As a PCT Patient Care Technician/Assistant, you may perform some or all of the following tasks:

• Provide primary patient care — bathing, feeding, catheter care, etc
• Acquire, distribute and administer patient care supplies
• Perform safety checks and ensure cleanliness in patient rooms
• Accommodate the special needs of patients accordingly
• Obtain EKG readings and monitor vital signs
• Perform phlebotomy procedures
• Provide emotional support to patients and families, particularly coping with grief and death

As the elderly population increases, healthcare facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes have a great demand for qualified PCT - Patient Care Technicians. Since this profession is needed in many practices, you may have various opportunities available to you. Earning your PCT can help you launch a career in the healthcare path you choose.

                                                     Important Qualities

Communication skills.  A PCT  must communicate effectively to address patients’ or residents’ concerns. They also need to relay important information to other healthcare workers (nurses, doctors, etc.)

Compassion. A PCT care for the sick, injured, and elderly. Doing so requires a compassionate and empathetic attitude.

Patience. The routine tasks of cleaning, feeding, and bathing patients or residents can be stressful. A PCT must have the patience to complete these tasks.

Physical stamina. A PCT spend much of their time on their feet. They should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as lifting or moving patients.

Register for your Certified Nursing Assistant classes today!