pca vs cna

The titles are interchangeable at some hospitals. At other hospitals, PCTs are CNAs with additional training: IV, EKG, phlebotomy, etc. Job duties (other than those requiring additional training) are usually identical.

PCTs with additional training will typically have a higher starting salary than a CNA. Some hospitals will hire you as a PCT with a CNA and then offer the additional training to bring you up to speed.

In Maryland, there is no PCT certification. All PCTs are CNAs and then trained for additional procedures. These additional procedures, phlebotomy for example, may not have certification (at least not state certification in MD, AFAIK). This may vary by state.

The place where I went to get my CNA offered a PCT class that continued on afterwards for the additional training. I chose not to spend the extra money on that class and instead focused on finding a job where they would train me (and pay me for attending training). If the additional training and additional expense is a waste of time or not is really up to you.

Good luck!