Are you a dynamic, caring person who thrives in a busy environment? Do you enjoy a mix of hands-on care and using technology to help patients get better? A Patient Care Technician (PCT) career might be for you.
Are you a dynamic, caring person who thrives in a busy environment? Do you enjoy a mix of hands-on care and using technology to help patients get better? The role of a Patient Care Technician (PCT) may be the perfect fit for you. Read on to learn about the profession, how to become certified, and job outlook.
What Does a Patient Care Technician Do?
A patient care technician is an important part of the healthcare setting. They provide basic care for patients in hospitals and for residents in long-term care facilities like nursing homes. A PCT may also find work in dialysis centers for patients with renal failure.
Working under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse or advanced provider, typical patient care technician work includes:
- Clean and bathe patients or residents
- Help hospital patients use the toilet and to dress
- Turn, reposition, and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs
- Listen to and record patients’ health concerns and report that information to nurses
- Measure patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
- Serve meals and help patients eat
- Dispense medication, depending on training level and individual state regulations
- Drawing blood specimens using phlebotomy skills
- Perform ECGs
The Path to Becoming a Patient Care Technician
The career path for healthcare professionals differs depending on what you would like to do. Aspiring patient care technicians can prepare for the role through different routes. This can include taking classes at community colleges, enrolling in a medical assisting program, or taking on an internship.
Patient Care Technician Education Options
To learn the skills needed to be a PCT, students can finish a patient care technician program. Other healthcare training programs are also available. Including medical assistant or nursing assistant programs, which teach the same skills.
Getting Certified
National certifying organizations, such as American Medical Technologists (AMT), offer examinations for PCT's to demonstrate that they meet certain standards of competence. Choosing a certifying body is just as important as choosing a school or PCT program. When you choose a tough and useful certificate program, you show employers and patients that they can trust your skills and knowledge. The certification exam is to ensure that the people taking it are qualified to work full-time in healthcare.
Study resources are available as well to help educate individuals in common medical terminology.
To earn certification through AMT, you must meet specific criteria and pass an exam. Those who meet requirements have an excellent chance of passing the exam to become a certified Patient Care Technician. Visit our Patient Care Technician page to see certification requirements for PCTs.
Need help choosing the application route that's right for you?
Patient Care Technician Job Outlook
PCTs have duties similar to nursing assistants. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the job outlook for nursing assistants to grow by 4% from 2023 to 2033. In 2023, there were 1.5 million nursing assistant positions in the U.S. The average salary is $38,130 ($18.33/hr).
As the baby boomer population continues to age, the demand for medical services will increase. As these needs increase, hospitals will need more PCTs to take care of routine tasks. This will help healthcare providers see more patients.
Want to Learn More?
Check out our blog on how certification can benefit your career.
Review our RPT Reference Material
Review our Exam Content Outline
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