Patient Care Technician Course!

waterloo · Jul 12, 2009

I never took a class to become a PCT (NCT's as they were called at the hospital I worked at- Nursing Care Technicians). I had my CNA certification and they trained me in phlebotomy on the job. We didn't do EKGs on my unit but those that did were trained in that also. THe best part is they paid US for the training, instead of having to pay for it!

CandAmommy · Jul 12, 2009

I was also going to post that a lot of the people who are PCTs in hospitals get trained on the job and don't have to pay for extra classes. That is my plan :)

ohiocleveland · Jul 12, 2009

I agree here in Ohio every PCT is trained at the hospital, you just have to have 6 months of experience working as an STNA the apply in the hospital will train you according to the unit you will be working on for free

Herbalist · Jul 13, 2009

Hi

I have been looking for a Patient Care Tech course here in south jersey for a few months and haven't been able to find one within my budget. After reading the above posts i'm wondering if I should just become a CNA first. I want to work in a Hospital but here in south Jersey most CNA's are hired in a nursing home its really hard to get in a hospital. Help!!!! :bugeyes:

ohiocleveland · Jul 13, 2009

Hi
I have been looking for a Patient Care Tech course here in south jersey for a few months and haven't been able to find one within my budget. After reading the above posts i'm wondering if I should just become a CNA first. I want to work in a Hospital but here in south Jersey most CNA's are hired in a nursing home its really hard to get in a hospital. Help!!!!

You should check your local hospital website to see if they offer training for PCT. Also, you can call the HR department in tell them that you are interested in becoming an PCT but would like to know what training they offer. Most hospital offer the training for free --- which in these hard times everyone could use free training. Good luck - post back in let us know if you found anything for others who maybe in your area looking for the same thing.

Herbalist · Jul 17, 2009

Thanks for the info. I contacted the hospitals here in south Jersey. They only offer the PCT training to employees. I also checked the job postings on their websites and I didn't find any for CNA. However, I did find a few for muti-skilled techs. But, I can't find a school that offers that. Do u have to be state certified to be a multi-skilled tech?

alwaystxtin · Jul 21, 2009

Hi, I recently finished a program in Illinois that was classified as a PCT course. I started in March and just finished a week ago. We took a CNA course that was 6wks plus 40 hours of clinicals, a Phlebotomy class take we finished in 6wks and the EKG class that lasted 8wks.I took the CNA board exam a weeks a ago and I am waiting on the results (it takes 2wks) and the National exams for the Phlebotomy and EKG Technician 2wks before that. I was wondering if I should take the PCT National exams. I don't think jobs require you to have it but it looks good on your resume. I'm only guessing but the thing that qualifies me as a PCT is the fact that can can draw blood and can administrate a EKG test. My major dilemma is should I fork up the $140 for the Pct test ? I would like to take it in the next 2wks while everything is still fresh in my head. I hope this is helpful for anyone. :twocents:

PhoenixTech, LPN · Jul 21, 2009

Hi herbalist,

I entered my hospital as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and then after 6 mos, I applyed for the Patient Care Tech training. If your goal is to really work in a hospital and they don't require you to have a CNA cert before you take the PCT training, try getting hired for housekeeping, or food service. The goal is to get in there and you'll officially be an employee. Do the job for 6 mos and walah! :rolleyes:

Just a thought. I wish you well.:nuke:

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2009

What's the difference between Patient Care Technician & CNA? How can you use your Patient Care Technician certificate at a hospital?

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2009

Hi, I recently finished a program in Illinois that was classified as a PCT course. I started in March and just finished a week ago. We took a CNA course that was 6wks plus 40 hours of clinicals, a Phlebotomy class take we finished in 6wks and the EKG class that lasted 8wks.I took the CNA board exam a weeks a ago and I am waiting on the results (it takes 2wks) and the National exams for the Phlebotomy and EKG Technician 2wks before that. I was wondering if I should take the PCT National exams. I don't think jobs require you to have it but it looks good on your resume. I'm only guessing but the thing that qualifies me as a PCT is the fact that can can draw blood and can administrate a EKG test. My major dilemma is should I fork up the $140 for the Pct test ? I would like to take it in the next 2wks while everything is still fresh in my head. I hope this is helpful for anyone.

In our hospital we have Phlebotomists that draw blood and we also have Cardiology Techs that perform those duties. So how is a Patient Care Technician usable in a hospital? I'm curious because I've never heard of it before.

PhoenixTech, LPN · Jul 22, 2009

Hi Latina

It depends on the hospital that you work in. There's been some talk about hospitals replacing LPN's with PCT's. I don't know if this is going on in all areas but in my hospital, Northern New Jersy area, they hire CNA's and train them as techs by adding Phlebotomy, EKG, wound care, etc. We also have Phlebotomists and EKG techs but they work in the outpatient clinics. The Phlebotomists that work in the hospital labs do the daily routine blood draws for the floors but if there is an order made by the doctor after their rounds, or a new admit to the floor, then the Techs draw the blood.

Our EKG clinic does outpatient EKG's but the Techs do them on the floor. Basically, the Techs are CNA's with a lil more specialized training to take the weight off of our RN's. We do everything, except of course the licensed duties of RN's or LPN's.

I hope this helps. :wink2: