As proficient healthcare workers, patient care technicians (PCTs) help nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals by providing comprehensive care to patients. PCTs monitor, document, and relay patient needs and grievances while keeping the care team updated on any changes in the patient's condition. In this role, it is your duty as a PCT to ensure that your patients feel at ease and well-cared for, which may require you to provide emotional support and guidance throughout their treatment.

Patient care technicians help care for patients in healthcare facilities, which include hospitals, medical offices, and long-term care facilities. Specific patient care duties may include:

• Regularly checking and recording patient blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse
• Listening to patient concerns, answering questions, and providing guidance
• Monitoring conditions and providing updates to other members of the healthcare team
• Moving, repositioning, or turning patients as needed
• Helping patients dress and use the bathroom
• Monitoring patient liquid and food intake

Escorting patients for tests or procedures in other areas of the medical facility

There are similarities between a patient care technician and a certified nursing assistant (CNA), such as caring for basic needs like bathing, moving, and feeding patients. However, CNAs are limited to providing this basic care under the supervision of a registered nurse or doctor of medicine. As a patient care technician, you will often be able to do additional tasks such as using EKG machines or drawing blood in addition to basic care. The laws in your state will dictate the exact level of responsibility you can hold in your patient care technician role.

There are no prerequisites to take the course.

Once you have completed the course you will have the option to select one of the following certification exam vouchers.

• NHA’s Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) exam, or
• AMCA’s Patient Care Technician (PCTC) certification exam