patient care tech vs cna, whats the difference?

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I may be slow in asking this but is there a difference between pct & cna as far as job duties or is it the same just a different title?

CT Pixie, BSN, RN

3,723 Posts

In my State, (Connecticut) CNA's generally work in LTC/rehab and provide basic care and ADL's (my particular facility does not allow the CNA to do anything but that). In the hospitals we have PCT's and depending on the facility they do not only basic care and ADL's but they are also trained to do other things like EKG's, blood glucose checks etc.

I think in some states the CNA/PCT is interchangeable an in other states a PCT are doing a bit more than just washing, toileting etc.

I am a PCA (Patient Care Associate) at a hospital. I have my CNA license (it was required, along with my BLS). I have been trained to check blood sugars and do EKG's since I am on a Telemetry unit. I think they are pretty much interchangeable, the title just depends on the place. I have patients ask me all the time what "PCA" stands for. I am in Missouri, by the way.

Mrsladysoul83

258 Posts

Ok, thanks for the reply! @ LAJJmom since your at the hospital do u still do the basic cna stuff too like bed baths, linen change & other personal care needs?

adrienne465

3 Posts

Hi, I just wanted to add that my background is almost the same as LAJJmom.. I am also a CNA and Certified Medical Assistant with ACL/BLS working at a hospital. My title is PCA. For clarification, Patient Care Associate, Patient Care Tech, they all mean the same thing, as the others mentioned it depends on the facility. At my hospital, all of the CNA's are now being trained to be upgraded to PCA. The job responsibilities are still the same as CNA duties with the addition of technical skills as EKG, blood draws, labs, blood glucometer, UI testing,etc... The only downside, in my opinion, is that some hospitals dont offer higher pay to match with added skills and many CNA's are looking to advance as LPN or RN. Im currently a Legal Nurse Consultant and I work private duty so my plate if quite full..:)

Hope this helps!!!!

adrienne465

3 Posts

Hi,;I just wanted to add that my background is almost the same as LAJJmom.; In New York, I am also a CNA and Certified Medical Assistant with ACL/BLS working at a hospital. My title is PCA. For clarification, Patient Care Associate, Patient Care Tech, they all mean the same thing, as the others mentioned it depends on the facility. At my hospital, all of the CNA's are now being trained to be upgraded to PCA.;The job responsibilities are still the same as CNA duties with the addition of;technical skills as EKG, blood draws, labs, blood glucometer, UI testing,etc...; The only downside, in my opinion, is that some hospitals dont offer higher pay to match with added skills and many CNA's ;are looking to advance as LPN or RN. Im currently a Legal Nurse Consultant and I work private duty so my plate if quite full..happy.png

Hope this helps!!!!

adrienne465

3 Posts

Hi,;I just wanted to add that my background is almost the same as LAJJmom.; In New York, I am also a CNA and Certified Medical Assistant with ACL/BLS working at a hospital. My title is PCA. For clarification, Patient Care Associate, Patient Care Tech, they all mean the same thing, as the others mentioned it depends on the facility. At my hospital, all of the CNA's are now being trained to be upgraded to PCA.;The job responsibilities are still the same as CNA duties with the addition of;technical skills as EKG, blood draws, labs, blood glucometer, UI testing,etc...; The only downside, in my opinion, is that some hospitals dont offer higher pay to match with added skills and many CNA's ;are looking to advance as LPN or RN. Im currently a Legal Nurse Consultant and I work private duty so my plate if quite full. Hope this helps!!!!

Yes, I still do all the basic stuff too. I make beds for patients, but when they are discharged Environmental Services comes in and cleans the room and makes the bed. I assist with bed baths. Since I am on a Telemetry unit our patients ages and abilities can really vary. The younger and more independent ones usually shower or do their own bed baths. I put people on commodes and bed pans. I stock linens in rooms. I just got accepted into an ADN program for Spring so I am not making a career out of being a PCA. However, I do enjoy it and the experience has been a wonderful one. My favorite nurses I work with are the ones that were PCA's first. They don't mind going in and helping clean up a patient and they understand how busy we can get. On my floor each nurse has 2-5 patients and then us PCA's (usually 2) each have 2-3 nurses. If our floor is full (which it has been a lot lately), we can each have 14 patients unless they bring in a 3rd PCA, then we each get 7. But some of those patients are very "heavy"...need turned, fed, constantly cleaned because of incontinence. It just depends on the day. The good thing about the hospital is it changes quickly.

Mrsladysoul83

258 Posts

Ok, thanks! Im currently in a LPN program in the peach state(GA) & have an pct interview at a hospital that still hires LPN & just wanted to know the difference. Just tryin to get in the door by getting some experience under my belt & thought being a pct would b a good start will i finish my program. The other biggest hospital in my area have nurse extern/tech but you have to be enrolled in a BSN program they arent even hiring ASN nurses but oh well, thanks again:)

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