A Full Guide to Working as a Patient Care Technician (PCT)

The healthcare business is growing quickly, and becoming a Patient Care Technician (PCT) is one of the best jobs in it. PCTs are very important to patient care because they work with doctors and nurses to make sure that patients get the best medical treatment possible. Their duties go beyond basic care, which is why they are so important in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and home healthcare settings.

This in-depth guide will give you useful information on the job of a Patient Care Technician, including what skills you need, what training you need, what certifications you need, what salary you can expect, and how you can go up in your career.

What does a Patient Care Technician do?

A Patient Care Technician (PCT) is a trained healthcare worker that helps nurses and doctors take care of patients in person. They are in charge of checking vital signs, helping with everyday tasks, taking blood samples, and doing electrocardiograms (EKGs).

What Makes a PCT Different from a CNA

A lot of people mix up Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), but they are not the same.

PCTs have more chances to move forward in their careers than CNAs because they have more abilities and duties.

Main Duties of a Patient Care Technician

A Patient Care Technician’s daily tasks depend on where they work, but their main duties are:

1. Helping with daily tasks (ADLs)
   Helping patients with bathing, dressing, grooming, and going to the bathroom.
   Helping people move around and change positions to avoid bedsores.
   Providing food for patients and making sure they get the right amount of nourishment.
   2. Checking Vital Signs
   Taking and keeping track of blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and oxygen levels.
   Letting nurses and doctors know about any changes in a patient’s condition that are worrying.
   3. Taking blood and other samples for testing
   Drawing blood for lab testing by doing venepuncture.
   Getting samples of urine and stool for medical testing.
   4. Doing electrocardiograms (EKGs)
   Doing EKG tests to keep an eye on how the heart is working.
   Helping doctors figure out what’s wrong with the heart.
   5. Helping with medical procedures
   Setting up medical equipment and making sure it is clean.
   Assisting doctors and nurses with little surgeries.
   6. Helping patients with their feelings
   Talking to patients to help them relax.
   Giving patients company, especially those who are older or have been in the hospital for a long time.
   Important Skills for a Patient Care Tech

To give the greatest treatment, a Patient treatment Technician needs both medical expertise and good people skills.

1. Good in talking to people
   Being able to talk to patients, nurses, and doctors in a clear way.
   Clearly writing down changes and conditions of patients.
   2. Kindness and Understanding
   Understanding and meeting the physical and emotional requirements of patients.
   Making things easier when things go hard.
   3. Pay attention to the details
   Keeping a close eye on vital indicators.
   Making sure that medical records are properly kept.
   4. Physical Strength
   standing for long periods of time and helping patients move around.
   Safely moving and lifting patients.
   5. Medical Knowledge and Technical Skills
   Doing EKGs and blood draw the right way.
   Knowing what medical terms and procedures mean.
   6. Managing time and doing more than one thing at once
   Taking care of a lot of patients in a busy healthcare facility.
   Putting tasks in order of importance.

Becoming a Patient Care Technician

1. Requirements for education

You need a high school diploma or GED to work as a Patient Care Technician. Some healthcare facilities may hire people who have CNA certification, but it’s better to have completed a PCT training program.

2. Signing up for a training program for patient care technicians

Community colleges, vocational institutions, and healthcare training institutes all provide PCT training programs. These programs usually span between 4 and 12 months and cover:

Basic nursing care
Drawing blood (phlebotomy)
EKG, or electrocardiography
Terms used in medicine
Ways to control infections

3. Getting Certified

Certification isn’t always necessary, but it does make it easier to get a job. The following are some of the most well-known PCT certification tests:

The National Health career Association (NHA) offers the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) program.
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a wonderful place to start before getting your PCT certification.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT): This is for people who want to focus on collecting blood.

4. Clinical experience and training in person

Most PCT programs include clinical externships in hospitals or nursing homes, which provide students a chance to get real-world experience before they start working.

5. How to Get a Job as a Patient Care Technician

Once you get your certification, you can look for opportunities in:

Nursing homes and hospitals
Rehab centre’s
Agencies that provide home health care
Living facilities that help
What Patient Care Technicians Make and What Their Jobs Are Like

1. What you expect to make

The pay for a Patient Care Technician varies by geography, experience, and certifications. On average:

Entry-level PCTs make between $30,000 and $40,000 a year.
PCTs with a lot of experience make more than $45,000 a year.
PCTs who have specialized training, such as in phlebotomy or EKGs, may make more money.

2. Job Demand and Career Growth

The U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) says that the need for PCTs and nursing assistants will expand because of:

An older population that needs long-term care.
More people want healthcare services.
Lack of nurses means that people have to rely more on PCTs.

This makes the PCT career a good choice for anyone who want to work in health care.

Patient care technicians can move up in their careers.

A job as a PCT can help you move up in your career. A lot of PCTs choose to:

1. Get your license as a practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN).

A lot of PCTs go back to school to become LPNs or RNs, which means they can make more money and have more responsibility.

2. Get good at EKG or phlebotomy

Some PCTs choose to specialize in phlebotomy or EKG, which lets them work in specialized healthcare settings like diagnostic labs or cardiology units.

3. Move into healthcare administration

PCTs who have been around for a while and have leadership qualities may be able to move up to management or administrative positions in healthcare.

4. Work in private home health care

Some PCTs operate as private caregivers, taking care of one patient at a time and usually getting paid more for it.

To sum up

People who love helping others and want a steady, satisfying job in healthcare may think considering becoming a Patient Care Technician. Becoming a PCT is one of the greatest ways to get into the medical sector because the training is quick, there are a lot of jobs available, and you can go up in your career.

If you’re ready to start your adventure, look into authorized PCT training programs in your area and take the first step toward a rewarding career in healthcare!