Male nurse walking a patient

Advance Your

Patient Care Technician

Career

INQUIRE TODAY
Ready to begin your career journey or have more questions? Connect with a Professional Development Specialist today!
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24 WEEKS

PROGRAM LENGTH

CPCT, CET, CPT

CERTIFICATIONS

$4,000.00*

Pay in full

TUITION

NHA Logo

ISSUING AUTHORITY

*You can pay as little as $267 per month. For full payment options and different financing plans, including interest rates from external lenders, please talk to our enrollment team.

What Does A Patient Care Technician Do?

Patient care technicians are professionals who assist and support patients in a variety of healthcare settings. They work directly with doctors, nurses, and staff to deliver patient care, and are typically on the front lines helping to keep patients comfortable and healthy.

The responsibilities of patient care technicians include many essential tasks, including taking vital signs, recording data, and assisting with daily functions such as feeding and bathing. Patient care technicians also serve as an important link between patients and families, offering support, communication, and compassion. 

nurse helping out a patient in bed

Where Does A Patient Care Technician Work?

Certified patient care technicians work alongside other healthcare professionals in hospitals, physicians’ offices, nursing homes, assisted living communities and long-term care facilities. 

nurse caring for patient in bed

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED

Web browser with internet connection

Course registration & payment

Training Materials Provided

Expert-led video based training

eBook: Phlebotomy Worktext and Procedures Manual

eBook: Electrocardiography for the Healthcare Professional

eBook: Fundamental Concepts and Skills for the Patient Care Technician

Competency assessments

National Certification exam fee

PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN

Outcomes

The demand for patient care technicians will continue to grow as the population ages and, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to rise consistently through 2030.

  • Patient care technicians can expect to earn a starting salary of between $29,900 and $37,300
  • Graduates of the patient care technician program will have acquired the skills necessary to work in a wide range of healthcare settings, including outpatient care centers, physician’s offices, assisted living communities, and long-term care facilities
  • Patient care technician students will complete the program with a thorough understanding of human anatomy, medical terminology, and electrocardiography

Skills Learned

Upon completion of this certified patient care technician program you’ll learn a number of skills, including:

  • Knowing medical terminology, disease processes, anatomy and physiology
  • Understanding the responsibilities of basic patient care — bathing, feeding, catheter care, etc.
  • Performing safety checks and ensure cleanliness in patient rooms
  • Recognizing the importance of special care, concerns and settings
  • Understanding EKG readings and monitoring vital signs
  • Performing phlebotomy procedures, lab tests, blood glucose tests and exercise/nutrition/diet monitoring
  • Understanding the responsibilities of communication and professionalism
  • Administering medication, assisting with minor procedures and handling laboratory specimens
  • Assisting doctors and nurses with physical examinations
COURSES - 24 WEEKS
Professionalism in Allied Health
Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology
Phlebotomy
Electrocardiography
Fundamentals of Patient Care

PROGRAM PREVIEW

PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN JOB POSSIBILITIES

Certified Nursing
Assistant

$26,000 – $49,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

Home Health
Aide

$19,000 – $45,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

Personal Care
Aide

$22,000 – $72,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Upon completion of this program, you’ll have met the training requirements to take the Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) exam which is sponsored by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

More and more patients require special care, sometimes around-the-clock and a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) has a diverse range of knowledge and skills vital to that care. Earning your Patient Care Technician credential and passing the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) CPCT exam will set you up for success.

Disclaimer: Graduates of this program are strongly encouraged to pursue supervised administration of required Phlebotomy and EKG tasks required for certification. These are additional requirements after obtaining employment in the field as a prerequisite to gaining additional certification as a Certified EKG Technician (CET) or a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) and are not included in this program.

 

CPCT

Certified Patient Care Technician

Earning this certification will ensure that understand and are able to provide basic patient care.

CET

Certified EKG Technician

Earning this national certification demonstrates to future employers that you have mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to work successfully as an EKG technician.

CPT

Certified Phlebotomy Technician

The CPT ensures you are knowledgable and fully prepared to work as a phlebotomy technician in a clinical environment. 

PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN TUITION OPTIONS

In addition to the following payment options, we offer special corporate volume pricing. Visit the Corporate page for details. 

Pay in full using any major credit card, PayPal, or Venmo. Select “credit card” as your payment option.

Apply for PayPal Credit and pay zero interest if your balance is paid in full within 6-months. Complete a quick application and you’ll receive a credit decision within seconds.

Pay for your training with an education loan through Sallie Mae or Meritize.

Complete the course registration process to reserve your seat using one of these options.

 

Many employers have education programs or will pay for continued education! Select “Corporate Invoice” if you need an invoice to process payment through company training tuition assistance/reimbursement plans. 

Download the free brochure below to your HR representative or manager and show them the benefits of gaining additional education!

Apply for a workforce grant through Sonoma County Job Link and get all or part of your training paid for! Complete the course registration process on this site to reserve your seat. Select “WIOA” as your payment option. 

Apply for a workforce grant through Sonoma County Job Link and get all or part of your training paid for! Complete the course registration process on this site to reserve your seat. Select “WIOA” as your payment option. 

DO YOU NEED HELP PAYING FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?​

Many employers offer education assistance programs. Download the brochures to show your employer the benefit of upskilling their employees.

PROGRAM COMPARISONS

PACIFIC UNION COLLEGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Program & Tuition Cost
$5,000 average
Up to $20,000
Exam Fees, Books & Materials
Included
Up to $750
Job Ready In
3–6 months
24–48 months
Schedule Flexibility
On-demand 24/7
Set class schedule
Travel Requirements
None: 100% online
On-campus classrooms
Student Support
Personal Advisors: text, call and email access
Professors: scheduled office hours
Career Coaching
Exam-tailor + soft-skill training to build well-rounded careers
Exam-based + prerequisites and electives to meet credit
Content Delivery
3D animations, immersive environments, interactive activities, game-based learning
Professor lectures

MEET YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST!

April is your Professional Development Specialist.  She is here to help you understand your program of interest, payment options and succeed!  Get in touch with April to learn more about your program, The Center for Professional Development with Pacific Union College and how to achieve your professional goals!

FAQ

​​You can! Many patient care technicians have little to no healthcare experience prior to beginning their training. If you possess a passion for helping others in a healthcare setting, then you’re able to become a patient care technician.

Many patient care technicians work full-time. The schedule varies as health care facilities such as hospitals and assisted living homes are open 24/7. It may be necessary to work weekends, nights and some holidays. The daily schedule of a PCT does vary as the needs of the patient largely dictate what will be done.

Patient care technicians should have good communication skills, compassion, patience and physical stamina. If you’re lacking in one or more of these areas, it doesn’t necessarily mean you wouldn’t be a good PCT, and it may be an area you wish to focus on as part of your training.

Many patient care technicians find enjoyment in caring for patients. Healthcare is very social and it affords the opportunity to build lasting bonds with co-workers and patients alike. It is also an environment that is fast-paced with little down time.

Patient care technicians and CNAs have very similar job descriptions. They both provide basic patient care such as bathing, feeding, lifting and turning patients, giving catheter care, monitoring vital signs and managing room cleanliness. However, patient care technicians can also perform electrocardiogram readings and perform blood draws and other phlebotomy procedures (as long as they earn the certification). Another difference is CNAs work under the supervision of registered nurses, and patient care technicians do not.

Interested In Another Program?

The Center for Professional Development at Pacific Union College located in Angwin, California, provides the highest quality training in order to best serve students and surrounding communities. Our specialized career training programs provide up-to-date and in-demand skills, preparation and certification, ensuring that everyone who completes our programs is of the highest caliber.

View Pacific Union's Degree Programs

In addition to our certificate programs, The Center for Professional Development at Pacific Union College offers traditional college degrees with more than 100 academic options. View our degrees. 

Investing In A Pacific Union College Degree

Investing in a college degree is an important decision. Pacific Union College’s traditional degrees offer financial aid options for students. Learn more about our student finance options.