PCT Training HELP

U.S.A. Arizona

Published

Hey guys!

I'm fairly new to AZ, I've been here a little over a year and FINALLY transferred my CNA license over, now I'm looking into PCT training. There are a few schools that offer it near me (I'm in Mesa, closer to Tempe...pretty much right next to the Banner Hospital on Dobson and Southern) and I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on them? I read the google reviews on a few of them and they have mostly good reviews, but I'm always kinda skeptical if they were paid ones or not, but anyways here are the ones i'm considering:

Pima Medical Institute: Great reviews all around, but for PCT training it's $11,000 and an 8 month program, but the offer evening classes.

East Valley Medical College: Also great reviews, but mostly for their CNA program. $2,500 I think and it's 11 weeks. They only offer day classes though, which might not work for me.

Providence Training Institute: Has about 3 good reviews on Google, but I saw a couple on Yelp that said it was a bad school...that kinda made me worry...but it's one of the cheapest at $1,950 and they offer weekend classes which would be good for me. This one is also the shortest, I believe it's about 8 weeks long.

I also saw that Brookline College has the program but they haven't gotten back to me with prices or classes length etc. but I saw they have a lot of mixed reviews.

If anyone has any input on these or if there is another way to become a PCT please let me know! ALSO Class lengths...anyone know why it seems like all these are different? Does that matter? I've heard that once you ave your CNA you don't need much else to get your PCT, buuuut why is Pima 8 months long while the others are like 2-3 months. Any and all input/info/advice etc will be most helpful!!!

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In the Banner system, a PCT course won't help. If you have your CNA license, they will hire you and train you themselves. I wouldn't waste the money, especially not to the tune of $11,000.

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What's the difference between a CNA and a PCT?? Thanks!

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What's the difference between a CNA and a PCT?? Thanks!

A PCT/PCA can draw blood/start IVs, start and D/C foley caths. When I was a PCA, we could draw blood and D/C foleys. CNA's can't do any of that stuff, but for Banner at least, everyone is getting moved to PCAs and the only place we have techs are in the ED (these are usually EMTs).

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A PCT/PCA can draw blood/start IVs, start and D/C foley caths. When I was a PCA, we could draw blood and D/C foleys. CNA's can't do any of that stuff, but for Banner at least, everyone is getting moved to PCAs and the only place we have techs are in the ED (these are usually EMTs).

Thank you!

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In the Banner system, a PCT course won't help. If you have your CNA license, they will hire you and train you themselves. I wouldn't waste the money, especially not to the tune of $11,000.

First of all...I love your avatar...is it weird that because I know you love supernatural that makes me trust you more? haha

I was thinking the same thing $11,000 whaaaat. I knew that a PCT was pretty much a CNA that can draw blood etc. but I didn't think you learned that much more stuff for 8 months and $11,000.

So, How do I go about letting them know I want to be trained as a PCT if I get hired? or do they automatically do that there? And do you know if you get a different license/have to take a state exam to be called a PCT?

I got hired on at Banner recently for a different position because I didn't have my CNA license info yet so I'm hoping I can move to a CNA position after awhile. Eventually I want to go back to school for nursing and I was told the hospital would help pay for classes, do you have any info on that as well?? Thank you so much for your time!

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First of all...I love your avatar...is it weird that because I know you love supernatural that makes me trust you more? haha

I was thinking the same thing $11,000 whaaaat. I knew that a PCT was pretty much a CNA that can draw blood etc. but I didn't think you learned that much more stuff for 8 months and $11,000.

So, How do I go about letting them know I want to be trained as a PCT if I get hired? or do they automatically do that there? And do you know if you get a different license/have to take a state exam to be called a PCT?

I got hired on at Banner recently for a different position because I didn't have my CNA license info yet so I'm hoping I can move to a CNA position after awhile. Eventually I want to go back to school for nursing and I was told the hospital would help pay for classes, do you have any info on that as well?? Thank you so much for your time!

Supernatural is the best!

You would probably get started as a PCA first. They will train you on the phlebotomy, D/C foley, and maybe ECG. Make sure you let your manager know you're interested.

It is not a different license. It will all be under your CNA license.

Tuition reimbursement is hard to come by with Banner. I am not at liberty to give out information on it though, but you have to be employed there for 6 months before you're eligible for it.

HTH!

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I went to providence and the teachers are so passionate about teaching. I highly recommend it.

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I went to providence and the teachers are so passionate about teaching. I highly recommend it.

Oh really? How long ago did you go? and did you go for PCT?

Where are you working now? Sorry for so many questions, I am trying to get as much info as possible before making any decisions :)

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yeah i currently work at banner desert in the ER and they paid me to train and i do IV's, foleys, blood draws, wound cleaning, splinting, everything a nurse does mostly except i can't give medications.

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and i get paid for all the other classes like EKG, ACLS, PALS too. I've been with banner two years and been denied twice for tuition reimbursement.

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yeah i currently work at banner desert in the ER and they paid me to train and i do IV's, foleys, blood draws, wound cleaning, splinting, everything a nurse does mostly except i can't give medications.

Did you get hired on as a CNA and they trained you to be a PCT?

Man, that sucks about them making it hard to get tuition reimbursement. You'd think that if there is a shortage of nurses they would want to help people already working there to pay fr school so they could have the nurses they need. My friend just graduated in Missouri with her RN and the hospital she works at helped her as much as they could with her schooling. Maybe because it's a smaller area, idk.

But anyways, any info you give will help...I appreciate it!

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