If you have a goal of helping more people, becoming a patient care technician is a great way to get your foot in the door and start working with the patients who can benefit from your care. Patient care technicians assist nurses, and many use the valuable experience to become nurses, physician assistants or doctors later in their careers.
Here’s what you need to know about this exciting career and what you’ll need to learn to be a part of it.
What Is a Patient Care Technician?
A patient care technician is a medical professional who assists nurses in caring for patients. Patient care technicians work behind the scenes, handling all the little details so patients receive timely care and comfort. They have specific duties like providing emotional support to families and collecting samples for the lab.
With the proper training, you can become a patient care technician first and, if you’d like, start on the path to becoming a registered nurse (RN) or another kind of medical provider in the future.
What Does a Patient Care Technician Do?
Patient care technicians are responsible for various duties that help keep patients cared for and comfortable. Some include:
- Reporting changes in the patient’s condition
- Assisting patients with exercises and mobility, like getting out of bed and using the bathroom
- Collecting blood, urine, or stool samples
- Conducting some medical tests
- Recording the results of some medical tests
- Escorting the patient to get x-rays or when they’re being discharged from the hospital
- Serving meals to patients in their rooms
- Checking vital signs
- Providing emotional support to patients
- Providing support to patients’ families
Some additional specific skills you will need to learn include:
- Understanding EKG readings
- How to monitor vital signs
- How to administer medications and assist with minor procedures
- Interpersonal patient communication and how to maintain professionalism
- Phlebotomy procedures, how to run blood glucose tests, and other tests
Fortunately, it takes little time to learn all these testing methods and care techniques. Most people can get through a program within a few months, meaning you can be on your way to working with patients very quickly when you choose this career path.
What Training Does a Patient Care Technician Need?
At Advanced eClinical Training, we believe in setting our students up for success. You’ll need a patient care technician certification to get started as a patient care technician. That certification guarantees you the background and experience to step into the role confidently.
Our self-paced patient care technician program is perfect for those wanting to work in patient care within hospitals, rehabilitation centers, emergency rooms, and intensive care units. This course can help you prepare for the real-life experience you’ll get in those roles, which can be highly beneficial before furthering your medical education to become a nurse, physician assistant, or doctor. And the best part? It can be completed in as little as 8 to 12 weeks!
After completing our online CPCT training, all of our students take the National HealthCareer Association (NHA) or American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) certification exam. When you pass, you’ll obtain your nationally accredited certification to begin working as a Certified Patient Care Technician.
Ready to Start Your Technical Training? Our Medical Certification Program Is Open for Enrollment Now
At Advanced eClinical Training, we’re dedicated to helping all our students get through their clinical training with the experience they need. If you’re ready to enter the medical field as a patient care technician, our program is right for you! The enrollment process is simple, and it’s open now. So enroll today and start on the path to your new career!
