In the healthcare industry, patient care technicians are called on to perform a myriad of tasks that improve patient well-being and reduce burdens on other medical professionals like doctors and nurses. These duties can include personal care, providing emotional support, and monitoring vital signs. Patient care technician jobs can serve as the foundation for a long and rewarding career in healthcare. If you’re considering becoming a patient care technician, here’s what you need to know before embarking on your journey, including information on how professional certifications can improve your employment prospects.
What Is a Patient Care Technician?
We’ll start our discussion by taking a closer look at the role a patient care technician (PCT) plays in a healthcare team.
A PCT works alongside other healthcare providers to assist with patients’ daily needs, like supplies and food, and ensure clean conditions. Patient care techs work in clinics, nursing care facilities, hospitals, and assisted living communities under the supervision of registered nurses. Their role ensures that patients receive the needed care and also reduces the workload on the nursing staff. Some common PCT responsibilities include:
- Bathing and feeding patients
- Acquisition, distribution, and administration of patient care supplies
- Phlebotomy
- Safety checks
- Caring for patients with special needs
- Physical therapy
Requirements for Becoming a Patient Care Technician
A career as a PCT demands technical and workplace skills. You must be highly organized, have good communication skills, be patient and compassionate, be comfortable handling medical technology and equipment, and also be comfortable physically interacting with patients who may not be able to fully attend to their own needs.
In terms of education and training, you will first need to have a high school diploma or GED. You will then need to enroll in a patient care training program at a reputable institution. Training often starts with theory lessons, followed by clinical applications to ensure proficiency. At the end of your training, you take a certified patient care technician exam to authenticate your skills and be approved for patient care technician jobs.
Professional Certifications for Patient Care Technician Jobs
Certification requirements for PCTs vary from state to state. In Florida, you can begin working as soon as you have received a diploma from a training program. However, to work in a hospital in Florida, you will need to pass the state’s Certified Nursing Assistant exam.
Pursuing professional certifications can give you a competitive advantage in applying for PCT jobs even when they are not strictly required. The professional patient care technician certification available today is known as the Certified Patient Care Technician certification, and it’s administered by the National Healthcareer Association.
For this certification, you must pass the National Healthcare Association’s Certified Patient Care Technician exam. This exam tests your communication skills, infection control, safety, and patient care techniques. Passing the CPCT exam demonstrates your proficiency in caring for patients. This boosts your chances of securing a rewarding position as a patient care technician.
Patient Care Tech Training with FVI
A PCT career is fulfilling and offers an opportunity for future advancement in the medical field. This career is in demand and offers many job opportunities. If you are interested in pursuing this career path, take the first step today. Enroll in the patient care technician program offered by the FVI School of Nursing and Technology to begin your career.
