Would you enroll in a PCT course that didn't include EKG training?

G8rBucsGirl · Sep 2, 2009

I'm currently taking a PCT course that offered EKG, Phlebotomy, HHA, and CNA. They said I would be certified to do all of these things and when I go into the job market after graduating, I would be able to use any of those certificates to land a job. They also said I would be doing clinicals in the hospital, not nursing home. This is also a very expensive program but I thought it would be worth it to get extra training. Well, classes began and as the weeks went on, I found out I had basically been lied to. Turned out the Phlebotomy was not a true phlebotomy course. Its an intro to phelbotomy. The "intro" consists of 8 pages in our text book. That's it. There is no certification. Same thing with EKG. Just an intro, no certification. Clinicals at the hospital only lasted two weeks. We've been going to a nursing home ever since. And it is **** poor. I have yet to get any answers from administration about these problems. Now I am battling financial aide over Pell Grants that I have yet to receive. There is 8 weeks left and I haven't received one dime from the Pell Grant I signed for. Basically, I have had to battle this school that promised me these things. When I go to the office and ask to speak with someone, it doesn't matter who, that person will not be in their office. If I call, I am sent to voicemail and do not get a return phone call. The executive director said he would get back to me with answers to my questions about EKG and Phlebotomy. That was two months ago. I still haven't heard from him.

The lone bright spot is my instructor. He taught us how to use the EKG, how to spot a problem with the reading, basically anything we wanted to know, he's willing to teach us. Next week, he is going to teach a basic phlebotomy to us so that if we have to draw blood, we can. He is awesome.

So long story short (I know too late), don't be forced into signing up for classes. Ask some of the students how they like the class and what they have been learning. Really go over every piece of paper they give you. You mentioned you heard bad things about Everest. So go to the other schools and ask around.

I do not attend Everest, in case you were wondering.

Miwila · Sep 2, 2009

Wow, I'm sorry to hear about your experience. I was thinking about sigining up for the PCT program at one of the more reputable tech schools in my area. The class looked pretty intensive; part of it is the first part of their LPN program so I knew I would be learning a lot. The problem is the schedule; it's eight hours a day, four days a week, for five months, and I just am not in a position to committ to that with my work schedule. But at least this school lets you know that they teach you the basics of EKG and Phleb and not enough to get certified, which is a big difference. I was looking for a PCT program that would certify me in EKG and Phleb as well but I don't know if any reputable PCT program promises this. I think Everest might, but I don't trust Everest.

It seems to me make just as much sense to get my CNA and then get certified in EKG & Phleb. The school I mentioned above also has an EKG/Phleb class. Their nursing assistant class is only four weeks long, which is more doable for me. So my goal is to become a CNA, gain some experience, and then go back and try to take the EKG/Phleb course. I don't know how much taking the PCT course would have helped me ahead of a CNA course in the job hunt, especially getting a hospital job. Most CNA's claim it makes no difference but in South Fl some hospitals ask for PCT training and/or certification, although a lot will take regular CNA's with experience. I was interested in working for a hospital because hospitals have 3-day fulltime shifts, and I don't know if nursing homes do that as much. I was hoping to work weekends so I would have free time in the week to go back to school. But that PCT course is just too time demanding.

BTW, what school did you have this experience with? If you don't want to disclose the name I was just interested in knowing if it was public or private.

ebphillips · Sep 2, 2009

Almost every PCT posting in my area is looking for both Phlebotomy and EKG training and CNA certification and/or PCT training (which is somewhat redundant). I'm doing the same as the PP- get my experience as a CNA, which is a HUGE part of any PCT's job and I'm asking my DON if they do any training in-house for Phlebotomy and EKG.

I do work at a nursing home (I start Thursday), and they do 3-day full time. I will work Thursdays from 3p-11p, and Fridays/Saturdays double (8 hour) shifts each day... all 40 hours in three days... that works so well with the path I'm on- CNA, PCT(maybe), LPN, LPN-RN (ADN) Bridge and then ADN-Masters bridge with Frontier School (I eventually want to be a midwife)

So... to answer the OP, No, I wouldn't go through the expense of paying for a PCT course if it didn't offer what is needed.