Nurse aide student working towards becoming a PCT in Colorado

[Jallen21791, CNA]

Im in the 4th and final week of my CNA course. I will be taking my state exam in 1 month. Beginning within the next 1-2 weeks I will be beginning both and EKG & Phlebotomy course which I should have done by the 1st week of June. Based off my understand these are the 3 things I need to become a PCT. All 3 of these titles have independent exams you can or must take. Is there an exam specifically required to become a PCT? Im hoping to avoid having to enter a PCT program if I have these 3 requirements met as the next program wont begin until the fall. Once I complete these 3 programs I am hoping to apply to work with dialysis patients. In doing so I hope to avoid the 3 month dialysis tech program and save $3000. Im hoping with these 4 certifications under my belt I can work in a medical facility or hospital setting. Im not a fan of long term care settings. Eventually after completing all prerequisites, gaining experience, and working to support myself and my family I will apply to the LPN program then the ADN or BSN program. I may even go straight for the ADN or BSN. Is PCT work any better than CNA work? While I understand the CNA role is a portion of the PCT role, Im hoping for a little more EKG & Phlebotomy. Here in Colorado a CNA certification is a requirement of any nursing program and its helpful to get a start into the medical field. Does the sensitivity to the odors get any better with time? Also any idea of what to expect as a starting pay rate in the state of Colorado?

[funtimes]

It all depends on where you work. In some hospitals PCTs do no phlebotomy and about the only thing they do with ECGs is put someone on a monitor or telemetry, no actual interpretation required. Probably more often than not a PCT does draws labs and does 12 leads.

To be honest I think a PCT would do fine being a CNA and learning the PCT stuff on the job, with the exception of starting IVs, which is an easy skill to learn but can take a while to master, and comes with the risk of complications like catheter shear, embolisms, infection, needle sticks, infiltration etc, so I don't think anyone should start IVs without formal training and supervision.

I would definitely recommend a phlebotomy class(although they probably wont teach IV starts, just blood draws). I also think some type of A&P class should be a pre req for PCTs, even if its just an intro. CNA just covers the VERY VERY basics of A&P.

[cdsavannah59, CNA]

At the hospital I work at I needed proof of CNA Certificate and also was Required to have PCT Certificate. My job required both to be hired as PCT along with my transcript from technical college.