Patient care technicians play an important role in the medical field. They provide help to patients in nursing homes, hospitals, and doctor’s offices. Patient care techs usually serve as the path of communication between patient and doctor and will spend most of their time with patients. They’re responsible for checking pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature.
What responsibilities do Patient Care Techs Have?
When starting out in the patient care tech program, students can expect to have their full training in eight months to a year depending on the dedication of the student. Patient care techs spend the majority of their time working one on one with patients in hospitals, blood banks, nursing home facilities, and other healthcare facilities. They’re required to receive in-service training and certifications in the following:
- Domestic Violence
- HIV/AIDS
- OSHA
- Infection Control and Universal Precautions
- Understand Alzheimer’s disease
- Assistance with Self-Administered Medication Training and CPR
Once students have completed the program they’ll possess the skills and hands on experience necessary to enter an entry level position in their chosen career.
How Does a Patient Care Tech Become a CNA?
Our patient care technician school is focused around helping students to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to enter a new career field. We ensure students have hands on experience over the course of the program so they can experience what it’s like to be in real world scenarios. During their training, we understand some students may be interested in becoming a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) in their career.
The first step towards becoming a CNA is graduating from our program and gaining the certifications and training necessary. Once students have become a PCT graduate they are eligible to take the Florida State Certification Nursing Assistant Exam.
What’s the Typical Workday of a Patient Care Tech?
The facility a patient care tech works in depends on the type of duties and tasks they will have to complete throughout the day. Patient care techs can expect in general to be working with patients throughout most of the day and helping a nurse or doctor when necessary. Technicians may be required to help patients change clothes, bathe, and even shave. When the patient has to walk, the technician may help them to get down the hall if necessary.
Patient care technicians are also responsible for monitoring their patients and keeping a close eye on them. They monitor food intake and ensure patients receive their food on time, should any changes occur the technician makes note of it on a chart. Patients who are confined to a bed will need a technician to ensure no skin problems or bedsores occur. The technician is also responsible for ensuring patients receive their medications when needed and that the room is sterilized properly.
- Other responsibilities a patient care technician may preform can include the following:
- Taking vital signs
- Performing an ECG
- Blood draws
- Performing catheterizations
- Removing staples and sutures efficiently
- Immobilizations
- Splints
- Understanding how to insert intravenous saline locks
- Nasogastric tube removal
- Properly caring for wounds
Once students have learned these hands on skills, they’ll be ready to enter the workforce. These skills will help students to succeed as a patient tech and if they choose further their career as a CNA.
Will FVI Help with Job Placement After Graduation?
Once students have completed the patient care technician program, we understand many are concerned about finding working after graduation. Studying for eight months to a year to be a patient care tech takes dedication, so many graduates are eager to enter the workforce. We do help with job placement once you graduate and many of our students have gone on to work in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and even extended care facilities.
Students who are first coming into the field for training do have to be certified in order to work in a hospital setting. They must sit and pass the Certified Nursing Assistant written and practical exam. Students are formally trained to work in an entry level position upon graduation once they receive their diploma or certificate. Students will also learn skills regarding:
- Caring for wounds
- Occupational therapy
- Operation of lab equipment
- Taking vital signs
- Geriatric
Working as a patient care technician is a rewarding career in the healthcare industry for those who want to help people. Patient care techs have to know how to be compassionate not only to their patients, but to family members too. Get started on this exciting and rewarding career today by giving us a call to get more information on the program.
More Information Here:
http://www.homehealthaideguide.com/hha-training/states/florida-hha/
