Patient
Care Technician – training and careers
Secure your future – start a
career as a Patient Care Technician!
Healthcare workers are in
demand and job opportunities for Patient Care Technicians
are
expected to remain excellent. Patient Care Technicians can also be
called
nurses’ assistants, certified nurse assistants, CNA
clinical support associates, health
care assistants and nurse’s
aides depending on the nature of the work facility.
Patient Care
Technicians work with doctors, nurses and other healthcare
professionals to provide direct patient care in a variety of
healthcare environments.
The Patient Care Technician (PCT) plays
a vital role in the healthcare delivery
setting. This may
include recording vital signs, height, weight and reporting on
patients’ condition and treatments. Patient Care Technicians
may also provide
assistance with patient nutritional needs,
mobility and ambulation.
Specialized training for Patient Care
Technicians is offered in vocational-technical
centers, some
nursing care facilities, and community colleges. Training programs
prepare graduates to work as entry-level Patient Care Technicians in
clinics,
hospitals, or long-term care facilities. Graduates are
able to check vital signs,
perform CPR and First Aid, and assist
in medical examinations. They can also
provide assistance in
performing electrocardiograms (EKGs), basic laboratory
procedures, and phlebotomy. The training programs are taught with a
combination of
lecture, practical exercises in the medical
laboratory and with real-world experience
and training at various
medical facilities.
Patient Care Technician graduates will gain the
CNA - Certified Nurse Assistant
credential after passing the CNA
examination. Some schools specializing in training
for Patient
Care Technicians provide graduates with internships and job placement
assistance. Other schools also offer continuing education classes and
affordable
financing to those who qualify.
With the aging
population growing steadily, there will be no shortage of jobs for
Patient Care Technicians - this translates into increased job
opportunities and higher
starting salaries. Many Patient
Care Technicians go on to pursue other careers in
the nursing
profession.
Graduation from a Patient Care Technician program can
prepare you
for a rewarding career in the healthcare profession.
