Patient Care Technician schools near me

Not sure what you want to do?

Take our free career quiz

As a pharmacy technician, you're the one who ensures patients get the right medicine they need. Your careful work keeps patients safe and helps them feel better. Your job isn't just about counting pills; it's about caring for others and making a real difference in their lives.

On Dreambound, there are 186 PCT programs, 36 upcoming classes, and the average class length is 3 months.

Discover why Daniel Martinez recommends Dreambound: "I liked how it was easy to access and everything was so user-friendly without any issues. It was helpful. I definitely recommend Dreambound to anyone interested."

Article continues after recommendations

Recommended for you

Columbia Southern University

B.S. Psychology/Criminal Justice

Online

Earn a Bachelor's in Psychology & Criminal Justice online
Flexible learning for forensic psychology or criminal justice careers

Financial aid (may be available)

Columbia Southern University

BS - Criminal Justice / Forensics

Online

Earn a B.S. in Criminal Justice with Forensics online
Training in forensic psychology and crime scene analysis

Financial aid (may be available)

Columbia Southern University

BS - Criminal Justice Admin/Arson Investigation

Online

Earn a B.S. in Criminal Justice in Arson Investigation online
Acquire specialized arson investigation skills for law enforcement

Financial aid (may be available)

Columbia Southern University

BS - Criminal Justice Admin

Online

Earn a BS in Criminal Justice Administration online
Training in law enforcement, courts, and corrections

Financial aid (may be available)

Learn more about the PCT certification

What is a Patient Care Technician?

A Patient Care Technician (PCT) is a healthcare professional who provides direct patient care, including assistance with activities of daily living, vital sign monitoring, specimen collection, and basic medical procedures. They perform the duties of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) but are also trained to perform basic medical duties such as performing EKGs and phlebotomies. PCTs work under the supervision of nurses and other healthcare professionals.

What does a Patient Care Technician Do?

A Patient Care Technician plays a crucial role in taking care of patients, making sure they're comfortable and safe. Throughout the day, they check important signs like blood pressure and heart rate to keep track of each patient's health. Depending on where you work, you might directly care for patients or support nurses in providing excellent care.

How to become a Patient Care Technician?

Becoming a PCT is like taking a meaningful journey with important checkpoints along the way. First, you'll need to secure your high school diploma or equivalent, laying the educational foundation needed for PCT training programs. Then comes the hands-on experience gained through clinical hours or internships, followed by obtaining certification. Finally, you'll apply for jobs, ready to start your fulfilling career in healthcare.

Patient Care Technician Salary

PCT salaries vary based on experience, education, location, and industry. The average annual salary for orderlies (which includes PCTs) was $36,070 in May 2022, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It can go up to almost $47,000.

How long does it take to become a Patient Care Technician?

Patient care technician training programs can range from as little as 3 weeks to 3 months in duration. These programs can be completed in a hybrid or online format, but we highly recommend participating in an externship to apply the skills learned, especially the clinical aspects of the program.

Where Do Patient Care Technicians Work?

Patient Care Technicians work in a range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home healthcare agencies. They can also work in outpatient clinics, dialysis centers, and other healthcare facilities.

Get courses selected just for you

Try our powerful search engine

Try it now

Patient Care Technician Job Outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, PCT employment will grow 5% from 2021 to 2031. Many of those openings result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Patient Care Technician Classes by City

In order to help you find a patient care technician class, at Dreambound, we've gathered the most comprehensive list of patient care technician classes in the US. Below you can find a list of patient care technician classes organized by city. If you don't see your city listed, you can always search by zip code.

How to Become a Patient Care Technician

We know taking the first step to becoming a patient care technician can be scary. That's why we're trying to demystify the process by writing guides on how to become a patient care technician. Since state processes or requirements may vary, we've written separate guides for each state:

Exploration of Patient Care Technician Versus Other Programs

Considering other programs? Read our guides on Patient Care Technician versus other similar programs in field, providing a comprehensive overview to assist you in making the right choice for your career path.