I became a Patient Care Technician because...

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Being a patient care technician is all about caring. You're dealing with people who are not at their best. They feel ill and often scared. I provide compassionate attention, a sympathetic ear and the arms and legs they need to be more comfortable. My task is helping patients heal and recover, but my purpose is to put them more at ease and make them feel supported.

- Abby, San Jose, CA.

What Do Patient Care Technicians Do?

Checking vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, pulse)
Taking a medical history
Performing dialysis
Administering medications
Conducting EKG's
Delivering samples to the laboratory

Providing emotional support
Addressing patient concerns
Monitoring patient conditions
Helping patients with daily-living and self-care activities
Assisting physically challenged patients

Transporting patients for diagnostic testing
Performing and managing simple wound care tasks
Monitoring nutrition and medication
Collecting blood and urine samples
Maintaining certain medical equipment

Patient Care Technician Certification

Key Questions & Answers Infographic

Did you know that Patient Care Technicians work alongside physicians and nurses in a variety of healthcare settings? Learn more interesting facts and information about Patient Care Technicians and the valuable role they play in healthcare. Click the download button to view our infographic of information.

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Being a patient care technician gives me exposure to a wide variety of healthcare roles and careers. My job is like a paid opportunity to shadow medical assistants, nurses, physician assistants and other healthcare technicians. That’s helping me decide the direction I want my career to go in the future.

- Brad, Detroit, MI

Fast Facts

Patient Care Technicians Infographic — Where patient care technicians work:

57% hospitals

13% home care agencies

8% extended care facilities

7% doctor's offices

81% of patient care technicians are women

The average salary for patient care technicians nationally is $31,000, but salaries often go as high as $40,000 and above.

There are nearly 150,000 patient care technicians in the US

Being a patient care technician is as rewarding as it is challenging. Every day I make a little difference in each of my patients’ lives. These little things mean a lot when you’re in the hospital suffering from an illness or injury. If I can make my patients feel a little better, a little stronger and a little happier, I’m really satisfied.

- Shanika, Boston, MA

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