HI 6900
Patient Care Technician
This program prepares you to work directly with patients in a variety of healthcare settings.
Program Overview
Certifications earned
What Does a Patient Care Technician Do?
The care of patients involves not only treating disease and injury, but also illness prevention, restoring wellness through rehabilitation, caring for the chronically ill, and educating patients and families. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals rely on Patient Care Technicians to assist with the critical day-to-day care some patients require. This may include anything from bathing and feeding patients to performing EKGs, blood draws, or assisting physicians with procedures.
- Apply foundational medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and an understanding of common disease processes
- Understand and assist with basic patient care activities, including bathing, feeding, mobility assistance, and catheter care
- Perform safety procedures and support a clean, organized, and compliant patient care environment
- Recognize the unique needs of diverse patient populations and understand the importance of providing compassionate, patient-centered care across a variety of healthcare settings
- Measure vital signs and gain an understanding of EKG monitoring concepts
- Gain foundational knowledge of phlebotomy principles, procedures, and best practices
What You’ll Learn – HI 7000 Patient Care Technician
Throughout the Patient Care Technician certificate program, you will learn how to assist physicians and nurses by providing basic clinical duties in a virtual medical environment. This condensed pathway covers anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, professionalism in allied health, safety and compliance, and the fundamentals of patient care, compiled into three courses taught over 16 weeks. The program also provides an overview of phlebotomy and EKG concepts within patient care training.
You’ll learn a wide variety of fundamental clinical tasks designed to set you apart in the competitive job market. Upon completion of this program, you’ll have met the training requirements to sit for the Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) exam which is sponsored by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
As a certified Patient Care Technician, you’ll work alongside other healthcare professionals in hospital settings, physicians’ offices, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities to provide hands-on assistance to serve patients’ basic needs.
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Find your next careerSome MedCerts programs are restricted in certain states or regions. Please review our State Restriction page to see what restrictions there may be in your state/region or residence of employment to ensure you are eligible for enrollment.
These restrictions may not apply to students taking programs through an employer, academic or government-sponsored model – including MyCAA, GI Bill® Reimbursement and Army or Coast Guard Credentialing Assistance. To determine eligibility, please confirm with your sponsor or review our military spouse MyCAA-approved or Military Credentialing Assistance-approved programs
Program Details
American Medical Association (AMA) Collaboration
MedCerts has integrated the AMA’s Blood Pressure Measurement Series into our allied health programs, so you’re trained in the most current, evidence-based techniques for accurate blood pressure measurement.
- High School Diploma or GED
- Web browser with internet connection
- Course registration & payment
- English language proficiency
- Expert-led video based training
- eBook: Fundamental Concepts and Skills for the Patient Care Technician
- Competency assessments
- National Certification exam fee
The cost of all materials needed for this program are covered by MedCerts. They are not included in the tuition costs and are provided at no additional cost to students. However, students have access to these materials for a limited time frame aligned with their program. Access to these materials outside of this period is not guaranteed, and students may be responsible for costs associated with any extended access.
- Dedicated Student Success Advisors
- Tailored support based on performance & behavior
- Exam preparation process
- 1 yr. post-program access to Career Center & Career Coaches
Career Outlook
Phlebotomy Technician
Job Opportunities
Tuition Cost & Payment Options
Total Program Cost
$
2,749
What’s Included:
- Expert-led video based training
- eBook: Fundamental Concepts and Skills for the Patient Care Technician
- Competency assessments
- National Certification exam fee
The cost of all materials needed for this program are covered by MedCerts. They are not included in the tuition costs and are provided at no additional cost to students. However, students have access to these materials for a limited time frame aligned with their program. Access to these materials outside of this period is not guaranteed, and students may be responsible for costs associated with any extended access.
Payment Options
Train now, pay over
time with Clasp
The MedCerts Education Loan made available through the Clasp Platform is a flexible, no-cosigner loan that isn’t dependent on someone else’s credit history, income, or willingness to take on shared financial responsibility.
Easy Monthly Payments
with Affirm
Enroll now, pay over time with Affirm, APR as low as 0%.
Pay your tuition
in Full
Paying in full is an option for those who prefer to pay their tuition in one upfront payment.
Additional Funding Options
FAQs
FAQs for MedCerts’ Online Patient Care Technician Certification Training Program
A Patient Care Technician supports doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals by providing essential day-to-day care to patients. This includes tasks like bathing and feeding patients, as well as performing clinical duties such as EKGs, drawing blood and assisting with medical procedures. They also play a role in illness prevention, rehabilitation and educating patients and families, making them integral to comprehensive patient care.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) will increase by 5% from 2021 to 2031. A significant portion of these job openings will arise from the need to replace workers who move to other professions or retire.
The average starting salary for patient care technicians is $34,434. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and the specific setting in which they work.
To become a Patient Care Technician, you need a high school diploma or equivalent and specialized training through an institution such as MedCerts. Upon completion of the program, you’ll have met the training requirements to sit for the Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) exam, sponsored by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
In the Patient Care Technician program, you’ll learn:
- The Responsibilities of Basic Patient Care — Bathing, Feeding, Catheter Care, etc.
- The Importance of Special Care, Concerns and Settings
- How to perform safety procedures and support a clean, organized, and compliant patient care environment
- How to measure vital signs and gain an understanding of EKG monitoring concepts
- Foundational knowledge of phlebotomy principles, procedures, and best practices
To enroll in the Patient Care Technician program, you will need a high school diploma or GED, a web browser with an internet connection and course registration & payment.
The cost of the program is $2,749. The cost includes all of your materials and certification exam fees for the PCTC examination.
MedCerts offers various payment options for the Patient Care Technician program.
While MedCerts does not offer financial aid, students may be eligible for options through government grant-funded programs like:
This program is 16 weeks long if completing 15-20 hrs of coursework per week.
MedCerts’ certification programs are fully online and designed for remote learning, allowing students to progress at their own pace. The instructional design incorporates interactive elements, simulations and expert instruction. Required courses for this program include Professionalism in Allied Health, Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology and Fundamentals of Patient Care.
MedCerts includes exam fees and preparation materials in the program cost. The courses are designed to prepare students to take and pass the CPCT certification exam.
Yes, the program includes exam preparation resources and support to help students successfully pass the Certified Patient Care Technician (PTTC) exam. Additionally, MedCerts students are provided access to a Student Success Advisor team, Subject Matter Experts and Career Coaches to assist with exam prep.
The program includes expert-led video training, an eBook and competency assessments. MedCerts-Covered Materials also include exam fee coverage. Students get access to additional services like dedicated advisors and tailored support as well.
Some MedCerts programs are restricted in certain states or regions. Please review our State Restriction page to view what restrictions there may be in your state/region or residence of employment and ensure you are eligible for enrollment.
We’re not institutionally accredited as a training provider, but the certifications you’ll earn in this program are accredited through the exam-issuing authority, the National Healthcareer Association. So while our school itself doesn’t hold accreditation, you’ll earn an accredited certification upon passing your national exam.
There are no clinical requirements for the Certified Patient Care Technician certification.
Disclaimers
- This program is approved in CA and WA, but individuals who intend to work in those states should be aware that this program is not approved to prepare students to draw blood.
- While MedCerts training and related target certifications may be accepted and/or approved by your state of residency, employers reserve the right to dictate prerequisite education, experience, or certification/licensure requirements for their positions. We strongly advise students to research target job posts from area employers and relevant state requirements, barriers, or restrictions prior to enrollment to ensure eligibility upon graduation.
