On your journey to becoming a physician assistant or medical doctor, you will serve in various roles in the medical field. You will need clinical experience to support your PA or med school application, and it is beneficial to gain that experience in a variety of roles and environments. One advantageous position to prepare you for the possibility of PA or medical school is that of a certified patient care technician (CPCT). On top of gaining valuable clinical experience, you can also earn a salary as you prepare for your future career as a PA or doctor, making it preferable to volunteer work for those who need the income. Find out how to become a certified patient care technician so that you can begin carving your path to med school.
Getting your patient care technician (PCT) certification is an excellent way to prepare for a future in medicine, whether as a PA or a medical doctor. Advanced eClinical Training has the convenient, affordable training and certification course you need to get started. Enrollment is always open and fully online for added convenience.
What Does a CPCT Do?
There are various positions in the medical field that would be beneficial if PA or medical school is in your future. To find out if experience as a patient care technician would be a good fit for you on your path, it helps to know more about what CPCTs do. Here is an overview of some of the job responsibilities of a patient care technician:
- Ensuring patient comfort, such as providing beverages, meals, and additional bedding as needed
- Monitoring and charting vital signs
- Assisting patients with eating and hygiene
- Performing phlebotomy
- Administering catheters
- Providing emotional support to patients and their families
Working as a patient care technician can provide you with a meaningful experience, whether you choose this as your career or hope to gain clinical experience for PA or med school. Most employers now require that their patient care technicians are certified, so it is worthwhile to earn your CPCT.
How to Become a Certified Patient Care Technician
If you are ready to earn some money while gaining valuable clinical experience to add to your PA or med school application, you need to know the steps to becoming a certified patient care technician. Here is how you can get started on your way to CPCT:
Enroll in a patient care technician certification program.
Before you can apply for certified patient care technician jobs, there are certain essential skills you need to learn. PCT certification programs can prepare you with the tools you will need to succeed in this position. The topics covered in these courses may include:
- Medical terminology
- Basic patient care skills, such as assisting with bathing, feeding, and dressing
- How to take vital signs
- How to communicate with patients in a caring, professional manner
- How to perform tests and procedures such as phlebotomy and blood glucose tests
- How to administer medications
Pass the PCT certification exam.
Once you complete your CPCT course, you can apply to take the certification exam. You can choose from the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exam.
Start your job search.
Some certification courses offer assistance with your job search after you earn your CPCT. This can include:
- Access to job boards
- Help with resume writing
- Guidance on interview preparation
Advanced eClinical Training: Helping Pave the Way for PA or Med School
Whether you are looking to start a career as a patient care technician or this is one stop on your journey to PA or medical school, you will need the right education and training to get your PCT certification. Advanced eClinical Training offers online self-paced medical certification courses for pre-health students. With our convenient CPCT course, you can earn your certification in as little as eight weeks. Enroll today to begin your new career or help you on your way to PA or medical school.
