Patient Care Technician

Become a Certified Patient Care Technician

Patient care technicians (PCTs) are crucial healthcare professionals who play a vital role in assisting nurses and other medical staff in providing care to patients. With the occupation demand at an all-time high, after successfully completing this 100% online patient care technician program, you can become a technician focused on direct patient care and support within a hospital, clinic, long-term care facility, or home health care.

Upon eligibility, you will receive a complimentary voucher to sit for either the Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the Patient Care Technician (PCTC) certification exam offered by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA).

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Job Outlook for Patient Care Technician

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that patient care professionals, including nursing assistants and orderlies, earn a median annual salary of $40,300.
The BLS also estimates that job opportunities in the patient care field will grow by 4% by 2032.
The NHA reports that stacking credentials can show employers that you possess the skills to succeed with required tasks as the level of responsibility for patient care technicians increases.
Zippia reports that the top ten best states for patient care technicians are Montana, North Dakota, Washington, Vermont, New Hampshire, Oregon, Nevada, Maine, California, and Wisconsin.

Patient Care Technician FAQs

WHAT IS A PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN (PCT)?

As proficient healthcare workers, patient care technicians (PCTs) help nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals by providing comprehensive care to patients. PCTs monitor, document, and relay patient needs and grievances while keeping the care team updated on any changes in the patient's condition. In this role, it is your duty as a PCT to ensure that your patients feel at ease and well-cared for, which may require you to provide emotional support and guidance throughout their treatment.

WHAT DOES A PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN DO?

Patient care technicians help care for patients in healthcare facilities, which include hospitals, medical offices, and long-term care facilities. Specific patient care duties may include:

Regularly checking and recording patient blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse
Listening to patient concerns, answering questions, and providing guidance
Monitoring conditions and providing updates to other members of the healthcare team
Moving, repositioning, or turning patients as needed
Helping patients dress and use the bathroom
Monitoring patient liquid and food intake
Escorting patients for tests or procedures in other areas of the medical facility

ARE PATIENT CARE TECHNICIANS THE SAME AS CERTIFIED NURSING AIDS?

There are similarities between a patient care technician and a certified nursing assistant (CNA), such as caring for basic needs like bathing, moving, and feeding patients. However, CNAs are limited to providing this basic care under the supervision of a registered nurse or doctor of medicine. As a patient care technician, you will often be able to do additional tasks such as using EKG machines or drawing blood in addition to basic care. The laws in your state will dictate the exact level of responsibility you can hold in your patient care technician role.

Course Objectives

Demonstrate characteristics of a healthcare professional by communicating using proper medical terminology with the interdisciplinary team
Obtain knowledge of the healthcare delivery system and the legal, ethical, and professional standards within the role of the PCT
Gather the knowledge and skills to provide individualized basic nursing care to a diverse population of patients
How to apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills within the PCT scope of practice and in coordination with team members to foster positive patient outcomes
Gain the knowledge needed to pass either the NHA’s Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) exam or the AMCA’s Patient Care Technician (PCTC) certification exam