PCT and CNA whats the difference

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  1. This is a discussion on PCT and CNA whats the difference in CNA/MA - Nursing / Medical Assistant, part of Nursing Student ... Hey guys, well I went to my local vocational school and I notice that they offer 2 programs CNA and...

    by Aug 20, '08
    Hey guys, well I went to my local vocational school and I notice that they offer 2 programs CNA and patient care tech. The CNA program is only 4wks and much cheaper and the PCT is 6mths $1100. I started looking for jobs in that field and most employers (hospitals) ask for either PCT or CNA to do the same job. Why would you go to a PCT program over CNA they seem like its the same thing. I also notice that the PCT program description says that you train to be a CNA,HHA (Home Health Aid) certified and a little of EKG and phlebotomy but not cirtified. I was thinking of just doing the CNA 4wks and then get certified for EKG and phlebotomy which takes another 5mths...what do you think
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    by KdnRN2B Aug 20, '08 8:07 pm
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  3. 22 Comments so far...

  4. Aug 22, '08 by
    A pct is a cna that has phelbotomy and ekg certification.
    I think that it will equal up to the same amount if you did phelbotomy and ekg seperately vs. pct.
    KdnRN2B likes this.
  5. Aug 23, '08 by
    If if you want to be a lpn or rn go for cna. If this is the end of your educational plans go PCT
    mzrogue and KdnRN2B like this.
  6. Aug 24, '08 by
    It really does not matter, I am a CNA and I worked for a hospital that trained me to do phlebotomy and EKG, now I work as a PCT at a different hospital. In my opinion its just a matter of title.
  7. Aug 25, '08 by
    It may vary by area. Where I live, there were three class offerings:

    1. Acute care
    2. Long-term care
    3. Acute and Long-term care

    Acute care trains PCTs and the class is shorter. Long-term care prepares the student for being a CNA and entitles them to take their certification exam. I personally chose option 3 - so I'm ready for both. The hospital job postings around here state either/or situations, so I figured that knowing BOTH could make me more marketable.
  8. Aug 28, '08 by
    Quote from happyloser
    It really does not matter, I am a CNA and I worked for a hospital that trained me to do phlebotomy and EKG, now I work as a PCT at a different hospital. In my opinion its just a matter of title.

    Same here, I was trained at the hospital (while employed as a CNA) and then was considered a PCT or in my state, we are also called CNA Level 2.

    I have never worked LTCF. I've worked med/surg/ICU & psych hospitals & now am in public health. Loved each area I worked in!
  9. Oct 26, '08 by
    I work in a hospital, and took a cna coarse. I'm considered a PCT until I take my state exam. I am just a cna, with out a certificate basicly
  10. Oct 26, '08 by
    Kind of confusing to me. I think the title differs where you work at...I am a patient care technician in a hospital but certified as a CNA and I have NEVER even heard of a patient technician course...I just thought that the title was different depending upon where you work at. We do things that would not be encountered in a nursing home setting such as glucose monitoring, EKG, phlebotomy, specimens etc. I would say do the CNA class and if you decide to work somewhere such as a hospital where you would be a patient care tech, they should train you on all of the other things...
  11. Oct 27, '08 by
    You should take the CNA course first. The EKG and Phlebotomy can be done at a later time. Look for other schools that offer them, it really doesnt take that long for a phlebotomy and EKG to be acquired.
  12. Oct 27, '08 by
    I'm a CNA but my job title is PCT...with no extra training except from the nurses on my unit. Does being a PCT mean that you are able to actually DO MORE than a CNA??