Patient Care Technician
Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) provide direct patient care in day-to-day and clinical settings. You’ll help support patients, whether checking their vitals or assisting with mobility rehabilitation and activities of daily living. Depending on your job role, you might also perform blood draws and phlebotomy tests, assist with clinical procedures or monitor how patients are handling nutrition and exercise – making this role a strong stepping stone toward nursing careers.
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
Unlike PCTs, Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMAs) blend hands-on with more administrative work. In this role, you’ll record patient histories and vitals, educate patients, schedule appointments and collect specimens. Part of your job roles may include administering medications or submitting insurance paperwork.
Work Settings & Environments
Patient Care Technicians are found across the healthcare sector, so expect to see job opportunities in hospitals, nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers and doctor offices. Many of the workplace settings are in-patient focused, with long-term care facilities a common employer.
What about Medical Assistant workplaces? Find these professionals in diverse settings, most often in outpatient clinics and doctor offices. The roles balance administrative and clinical work, so you’ll spend part of your days with patients and part with behind-the-scenes desk work.
Training & Certification Pathways
To become a certified PCT with MedCerts, you’ll enroll in the 24-week Patient Care Technician course. You’ll work through engaging lessons using everything from screen-based simulations to 3D demonstrations. You’ll also put your skills to the test by sitting for the Certified Patient Care Technician (CPT) certification. In addition to PCT training, this course provides courses for Phlebotomy and EKG training. If you choose to go down that path, you’ll be prepared to take both the Certified EKG Technician (CET) and Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification exams. However, both these additional certifications require clinical hours for full certification.
CCMA certification can take several routes, depending on your professional interests. MedCerts offers several programs that lead to CCMA certification – which all include training for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant certification. MedCerts CCMA program Offerings are:
- 28-week Medical Assistant – includes two certification exams (CCMA and CMAA)
- 30-week Geriatric Medical Assistant – includes an additional course for a geriatric care specialization
- 36-week Clinical Medical Professional – much like the PCT program, this includes courses and certification prep for the CET and CPT exams.
- 32-week Clinical Medical Specialist – includes phlebotomy training and CPT exam prep
Each pathway leads to CCMA certification and gives you long-lasting knowledge through innovative simulations and scenario-based learning.
To enroll in any MedCerts’ program, you’ll need to meet a few requirements:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Computer access and internet connection
- Full payment or payment plan
Salary & Career Growth
PCT earnings depend on your job title. For example, home health and personal care aides see average salaries of $34,900. For nursing assistants, expect to earn about $39,430 on average. PCTs often have a nursing pathway, where careers advance into licensed practical nurses or registered nurses.
CCMAs can see earnings average $44,200, depending on skill levels. Many CCMAs turn to office management or specialty medical assisting, such as optometry or cardiology, which can lead to advanced roles in these specialty fields.
Advancement & Long-Term Options
Demand for skilled medical professionals keeps growing. With career advancements, you can look forward to supervising or teaching the next generation of healthcare professionals. Another option is to stack your credentials with additional MedCerts pathways, leading to exciting careers like Surgical Technologists or Mental Health Support Specialists.
Find Your Perfect MedCerts Fit
Whether you choose to become a Patient Care Technician or a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, both roles open doors to rewarding healthcare careers. MedCerts can help you take the first step with flexible online programs, hands-on training, and nationally recognized certifications. Find your perfect fit by matching their roles to your career goals.
