CNA vs. Patient Care Tech

TCASII, ADN · May 26, 2005

I'm in my local program here in Phoenix, AZ right now. The PCT class was so easy, I couldn't imagine anyone not getting throught it. They simply talked the basics of infection control, sterile technique, catheter insertion, wound care, and a few other medical fundamentals. Very very easy. At the end we did a mock catheter on a male and female 'dummy' to demostrate are sterile technique and proper skills. Then we also did a wound care skill assessment on a dummy. Similar to the CNA skills test we do to demostrate proficiency.

At the same time, we were in the phlebotomy class, where we learned a bunch of lab stuff on top of the venipuncture skills. We had to learn the different tubes, what additives are in them, what order tubes must be draw, and a bunch of related topics. We had to start drawing blood on each other the second day in class. I was pretty nervous, but they carefully walk you through it and make sure you're safe. I only had trouble with a coupe people in class that I couldn't find a vein on. That has become my only weakness, is finding veins on certain patients. Some people are very tough. Luckily my vein is very large and at the surface, so I wasn't worried too much about the others drawing on me :chuckle

The phlebotomy class really crammed a bunch of info down our throats in a short period of time. We covered so many things. We even went through dermal punctures (finger sticks), heel punctures for PKU, and even urine tests. They taught us almost everything related to lab AND venipuncture. The PCT class started at 0830 and ended at 1200. Then the phlebotomy class started at 1300 and ended at 1650! Monday and Tuesday.

The EKG class started when the PCT class ended and the advanced phlebotomy class started then also. In the EKG class it was learning the proper EKG skills (e.g., running the machine, placing electrodes in the right place on patients) to perform an EKG. Then we also had to learn a few dysrhythmias and be able to recognize a atrial tach versus maybe a ventricular tach. We covered how to get the HR by reading the paper and she went into a few specifics about the heart anatomy and physiology. Some people had trouble with this class, but it's easy if you've already taken A&P and have some working knowledge from past experience. I did. If you aren't sure then maybe just learn/relearn the cardio stuff before the class starts. It's very easy though.

After the classes are complet and you have 10 sucessful venipunctures on other students, you go to phlebotomy clinicals. At least we do. I have to have 100 sucessful venipunctures on patients, and this is usually done at a OP lab where it might be slower. That way they can watch over you, assist with difficult sticks, and help train you some more. After the 100 sticks, then I go to a med/surg floor to perform the skills required for that. I must complete 64 hours minimum and in that time have a male AND female catheter insertion with supervision of course. Also one or more wound cares (don't recall right now), same with EKGs (unsure of number). Then after the 64 hours is completed, I'm done and they send a certificate, which they say takes a little while.

The only thing people probably freak out about is the blood drawing, especially when it's on your fellow students. Most people are very afraid of needles. I'm surprised at the number of people in my clincals that are nervous about it. I actually don't mind it, but again, I'm an easy stick. :)

Good luck!

Chris