Patient Care Technician Program

When you graduate, will have learned many skills including:

• Assisting the nurse with wound care procedures
• Properly conducting an ECG
• Assisting the nurse during insertion of intravenous saline locks
• Properly drawing blood
• Handling emergency room procedures
• Taking care of patients where immobilization has been used
• Removing a nasogastric tube

To work in a hospital setting in Florida, patient care technician graduates must sit and pass the state Certified Nursing Assistant written and practical exam. As a graduate at FVI, you’ll be primed and eligible to sit for the Florida State Certification Nursing Assistant Exam.

You’ll also acquire essential in-service training and certifications, spanning:

• Domestic Violence
• HIV/AIDS
• OSHA
• Infection Control and Universal Precautions
• Understanding Alzheimer’s disease
• Assistance with Self-Administered Medication Training
• CPR

Finally, you’ll have different certification paths upon completing your patient care technician program in Miami or Miramar. Certification opens doors—potential for more job offers and higher pay—and here are some that you can pursue:

• NRCPCT: National Registered Certified Patient Care Technician
• NRCPT: National Registered Certified Phlebotomist
• NRCEKG: National Registered Certified EKG Technician 
• CNA: Certified Nursing Assistant

The Patient Care Technician program at FVI prepares you to pursue several certifications that demonstrate your skills and open doors to a variety of healthcare roles:

• Florida Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): Required for many entry-level patient care positions in Florida. Eligible graduates may receive a voucher covering the cost of the exam (up to $155) if they test within 90 days of graduation and the lead instructor confirms readiness.
• Nationally Registered Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NRCPT): Confirms your training in safely drawing blood, handling specimens, and following laboratory procedures.
• Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician (NRCEKG): Shows you are trained to perform electrocardiograms (EKGs), monitor heart rhythms, and support physicians in identifying cardiac conditions.

These certifications align with the program’s curriculum and can help graduates qualify for roles such as Patient Care Technician, Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, and EKG Technician in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies.

Timing depends on the certification exam schedules. Many students test within a few weeks to a few months after graduation, depending on exam availability and readiness.

Phlebotomy and EKG certifications are nationally recognized and can be used across state lines. However, CNA certification is regulated at the state level. If you relocate, you may need to apply for reciprocity in your new state or complete additional testing before being licensed to work there.

• CNAs assist patients primarily with daily living activities under nursing supervision.
• PCTs perform direct patient care tasks (similar to CNAs) but also receive additional training in phlebotomy and EKG.
• Medical Assistants focus more on outpatient/clinic-based tasks, including administrative work alongside clinical duties.

By completing the Patient Care Technician program at FVI, you gain CNA-level training along with the knowledge and hands-on skills in phlebotomy and EKG that prepare you to sit for national certification exams in those areas. This combination broadens your qualifications and helps you pursue a wider range of healthcare roles.

You can start the application process online or contact FVI’s Admissions team for more information. To apply, you’ll complete an admissions interview with a counselor, provide a government-issued photo ID, and submit proof of high school graduation (or equivalent). Applicants must be at least 17 years old, and additional requirements such as a background check and drug screening must be met before beginning clinical training.

For the most current and detailed tuition and fee information, please see our Consumer Information page.

FVI offers multiple start dates throughout the year. Speak with Admissions for the next available class start.

The Patient Care Technician program is offered in a flexible format that combines online, blended, and in-person learning. Foundational courses such as Introduction to Healthcare and Anatomy & Physiology are taught live online, giving students the convenience to learn from home. Courses like Phlebotomy and EKG are delivered in a blended format with both online instruction and on-campus labs. All core patient care skills training, CNA exam preparation, and the clinical externship are completed in person.

Yes. At our Miami campus, the program is offered in bilingual Spanish/English. At our Miramar campus, classes are taught in English.

The Patient Care Technician program is often a first step into the healthcare field, giving you a versatile foundation of CNA-level skills, phlebotomy, and EKG training. With this background, many graduates begin in hospitals, long-term care facilities, or home health and then choose to advance in several ways:

• Specialized Technician Roles: Some PCTs focus on areas like dialysis, phlebotomy, or cardiac monitoring (EKG), where additional certifications and on-the-job training can lead to more specialized positions.
• Nursing Pathways: Others continue their education to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs). FVI offers both a Practical Nursing diploma and an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, giving PCT graduates clear next steps toward nursing licensure.
• Allied Health Careers: Experience as a PCT can also be a springboard to roles such as Medical Assistant, or later, healthcare administration or leadership positions with additional training.

FVI’s Career Services team works closely with graduates to explore advancement options, connect with employers, and outline the best pathway based on each student’s career goals.