PCT and CNA whats the difference

[KdnRN2B]

Hey guys, well I went to my local vocational school and I notice that they offer 2 programs CNA and patient care tech. The CNA program is only 4wks and much cheaper and the PCT is 6 months $1100. I started looking for jobs in that field and most employers (hospitals) ask for either PCT or CNA to do the same job. Why would you go to a PCT program over CNA they seem like its the same thing. I also notice that the PCT program description says that you train to be a CNA, HHA (Home Health Aid) certified and a little of EKG and phlebotomy but not certified. I was thinking of just doing the CNA 4wks and then get certified for EKG and phlebotomy which takes another 5 months...What do you think?

[genaluvya, LPN]

A pct is a cna that has phelbotomy and ekg certification.

I think that it will equal up to the same amount if you did phelbotomy and ekg seperately vs. pct.

[sonomala]

If if you want to be a lpn or rn go for cna. If this is the end of your educational plans go PCT ?

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

It really does not matter, I am a CNA and I worked for a hospital that trained me to do phlebotomy and EKG, now I work as a PCT at a different hospital. In my opinion its just a matter of title.

[jennileigh8182]

It may vary by area. Where I live, there were three class offerings:

1. Acute care

2. Long-term care

3. Acute and Long-term care

Acute care trains PCTs and the class is shorter. Long-term care prepares the student for being a CNA and entitles them to take their certification exam. I personally chose option 3 - so I'm ready for both. The hospital job postings around here state either/or situations, so I figured that knowing BOTH could make me more marketable.

[mizfradd, CNA]

It really does not matter, I am a CNA and I worked for a hospital that trained me to do phlebotomy and EKG, now I work as a PCT at a different hospital. In my opinion its just a matter of title.

Same here, I was trained at the hospital (while employed as a CNA) and then was considered a PCT or in my state, we are also called CNA Level 2.

I have never worked LTCF. I've worked med/surg/ICU & psych hospitals & now am in public health. Loved each area I worked in! :)

[jajwalker05, LPN]

I work in a hospital, and took a cna coorifice. I'm considered a PCT until I take my state exam. I am just a cna, with out a certificate basicly

[RN2BMU2009]

Kind of confusing to me. I think the title differs where you work at...I am a patient care technician in a hospital but certified as a CNA and I have NEVER even heard of a patient technician course...I just thought that the title was different depending upon where you work at. We do things that would not be encountered in a nursing home setting such as glucose monitoring, EKG, phlebotomy, specimens etc. I would say do the CNA class and if you decide to work somewhere such as a hospital where you would be a patient care tech, they should train you on all of the other things...

[GigiNYC]

You should take the CNA course first. The EKG and Phlebotomy can be done at a later time. Look for other schools that offer them, it really doesn't take that long for a phlebotomy and EKG to be acquired.

[Billsgirl, CNA]

I'm a CNA but my job title is PCT...with no extra training except from the nurses on my unit. Does being a PCT mean that you are able to actually DO MORE than a CNA??

[RN2BMU2009]

Billsgirl said:

I'm a CNA but my job title is PCT...with no extra training except from the nurses on my unit. Does being a PCT mean that you are able to actually DO MORE than a CNA??

I believe that this is the case as CNA's in nursing homes cannot do glucose checks (At least that's the case in the state I live in). EKG's and phlebotomy you have to be trained per request of your department. I just think that in a hospital you have the opportunity to encounter more procedures that you can do within your scope of practice that you wouldn't get in a nursing home.

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

Pct's have additional training in ekg and phleb, as well as depending on your state.... I know fl has a wide scope for pct's, and in nc a pct is equal to a cna-ii... Both can perform bolus g-tube feedings, iv insertion, ngt insertion, trach care and foley cath insertion.

In the hospital i worked in, all emt's/medics were also called pct's. But it probably varies from state to state and hospital to hospital.

I would say go for the pct program. You get all the excellent bedside skills that you would with a cna course with additional skill sets that may help you if you decide to go back to nursing school.

Good luck ?