Is A PCT looked at different?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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:uhoh3:Hello everyone!!! I got my CNA license in Feb and have tried since then to get a job at one of the three hospitals(Brevard,fl.).They all tell me I need more experience(I have none).I start back to school Aug 6th to finish the last three class I need to get my license as a PCT.My question is when I get my license for a PCT would I be looked at differently?As a PCT I would have phlebotomy,EKG,HHA,CPR and first aid all behind me.Or am I wasting my time doing the extra classes and just need to look else were for a job?

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Specializes in acute care.

Lol,

I feel your pain. I can't get a CNA job for the life of me, only as an HHA..I am interested in taking a nurse tech course (ekg & phleb), but I'm afraid that it won't make a difference and I still won't be able to get a job. Sigh!

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I too am going for my PCT. I am not sure how your program is but my class is 15 months long...mostly hands on then we do an externship for the class term so there is a lot more experience. If yours is anything like mine I would think it would make you more marketable having the additional training in other areas, working in an actual setting and all the hands on.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Anything that offers more skills is a positive. PCTs have more opportunities to work in hospitals because of the additional skills as well...I did it before I became an LPN. If you can afford the course and have time to complete it, it can be a plus. Good luck!

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Specializes in acute care.

Good! I'm glad to hear this and plan to start my 5 week nurse tech course (ekg & phebotomy) at the end of this month..I do notice that some of the NYC HHC hospitals hire Patient Care Associates which require these 2 skills. I hope I can get into one of these hospitals to work while I am in school

Anything that offers more skills is a positive. PCTs have more opportunities to work in hospitals because of the additional skills as well...I did it before I became an LPN. If you can afford the course and have time to complete it, it can be a plus. Good luck!
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Specializes in ER, CCU, LTAC.

I took a CNA course, worked at a Nursing and Rehab facility for a year and a half and then I got a job at a hospital as a PCT they trained me to do phlebotomy. So If you can find a entry-level position at a hospital then you don't have to take a PCT course.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Good! I'm glad to hear this and plan to start my 5 week nurse tech course (ekg & phebotomy) at the end of this month..I do notice that some of the NYC HHC hospitals hire Patient Care Associates which require these 2 skills. I hope I can get into one of these hospitals to work while I am in school

Interesting that you mention an interest working at NYC HHC as a Patient Care Associate...I work at one of those hospitals and I was a Patient Care Associate until last year; now, I work at HHC as an LPN. We did use the phlebotomy and EKG, also did scheduling of appointments. Hope to see you around!

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Specializes in acute care.

likewise, take care

Interesting that you mention an interest working at NYC HHC as a Patient Care Associate...I work at one of those hospitals and I was a Patient Care Associate until last year; now, I work at HHC as an LPN. We did use the phlebotomy and EKG, also did scheduling of appointments. Hope to see you around!
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Good! I'm glad to hear this and plan to start my 5 week nurse tech course (ekg & phebotomy) at the end of this month..I do notice that some of the NYC HHC hospitals hire Patient Care Associates which require these 2 skills. I hope I can get into one of these hospitals to work while I am in school

Hey NYDreamer

Where are you taking your ekg&phelbotomy class at?

Nicole

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Specializes in acute care.

I haven't made a finally decision, it will either be NY Medical Training Center, ABC training or the Manhattan Institute. I just know that I want to finish the classes before I start the Fall semester

Hey NYDreamer

Where are you taking your ekg&phelbotomy class at?

Nicole

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I haven't made a finally decision, it will either be NY Medical Training Center, ABC training or the Manhattan Institute. I just know that I want to finish the classes before I start the Fall semester

Great,

I am currently at abc taking the cna course, I hope it was all worth becuase the money I paid . I like it so far, everything I am learning is a review for me because I took cna as a major in high school and I passed the state board and all , but never work as a cna. Now 6 years later here I am . I could have just re-test by taking the clinical and written test over, but I didnt feel as if I remebered everything . I am alos looking into the ekg & phelbotomy course at abc, but the price is firece, my goodness. Are you cpr certified, if not try looking into that as well , the more you have under your belt , I beleive the more marketable you are as far as getting hired.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I haven't made a finally decision, it will either be NY Medical Training Center, ABC training or the Manhattan Institute. I just know that I want to finish the classes before I start the Fall semester

I attended ABC training center in Manhattan for my CNA about 13 years ago. Do they offer the phlebotomy and EKG courses, now? And, where is NY Medical Training Center located? I think I remember seeing a location in Queens.

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