Advance Your Patient Care Technician Career

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Ready to begin your career journey or have more questions? Connect with a Workforce Training Specialist today!
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6 Months

Certificate Length

$4,000.00

Tuition

What Does A Patient Care Technician Do?

Patient care technicians perform an essential role as part of the health care team, providing care and support to patients on a daily basis. Their responsibilities include an array of medical functions, including measuring vital signs, assisting with personal hygiene, recording health record data, and relocating patients.

After successfully completing the patient care technician certificate, students will be familiar with medical terminology, human anatomy, professionalism in allied health, and fundamentals of patient care. They will also be prepared to administer medication, offer support during procedures, and perform blood draws.

Where In the AdventHealth Network Can You Work?

Certified patient care technicians work alongside other healthcare professionals in hospitals, physicians’ offices, nursing homes, assisted living communities, and long-term care facilities. 

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED

Web browser with internet connection

Course registration & payment

Oral and written English proficiency is a requirement for course participation and certificate examination.

Training Materials Provided

Expert-led, video-based training

eBook: Phlebotomy Worktext and Procedures Manual

eBook: Electrocardiography for the Healthcare Professional

eBook: Fundamental Concepts and Skills for the Patient Care Technician

Competency assessments

National Certification exam fee

PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN

Outcomes

The demand for patient care technicians will continue to grow, especially as the healthcare field expands to meet the rising needs of the population. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment in this field, which includes job titles such as nursing assistants and orderlies, is expected to increase over the next decade.

  • Graduates will leave the AHU patient care technician certificate fully prepared to work in a wide variety of health care and medical settings
  • Upon certificate completion, patient care technician students will have a thorough understanding of professionalism in allied health, human anatomy, and medical terminology

Skills Learned

Upon completion of this certified patient care technician certificate you’ll learn a number of skills, including:

  • Knowing medical terminology, disease processes, anatomy and physiology
  • Understanding the responsibilities of basic patient care — bathing, feeding, catheter care, etc.
  • Performing safety checks and ensuring cleanliness in patient rooms
  • Recognizing the importance of special care, concerns, and settings
  • Understanding EKG readings and monitoring vital signs
  • Performing phlebotomy procedures, lab tests, blood glucose tests, and exercise/nutrition/diet monitoring
  • Understanding the responsibilities of communication and professionalism
  • Administering medication, assisting with minor procedures, and handling laboratory specimens
  • Assisting doctors and nurses with physical examinations
  •  

PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN JOB POSSIBILITIES

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Certified Nursing Assistant

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Home Health Aide

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Personal Care Aide

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Upon completion of this certificate, you’ll have met the training requirements to take the Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) and Certified Personal Care Assistant (CPCA), which are sponsored by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). 

ISSUING AUTHORITY

CMAC

Clinical Medical Assistant Certification 

Earning this certification will ensure that you understand and are able to provide basic patient care.

CPCA

Certified Personal Care Assistant  

The Personal Care Assistant certification documents the basic competencies involved in providing care of individuals in the home setting. 

PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN REGISTRATION

As an AdventHealth University employee, fast-track your education and select “AdventHealth University Educational Assistance” at checkout to take advantage of your tuition benefits. 

AdventHealth University is investing in the success of our employees by offering up to $3,000 annually to both full-time and part-time employees toward employee career development.

For any program above $2000, the employee is required to work at AH for at least one year after completion of the program.  

Note: Program tuition that runs over $3,000 is the employee’s responsibility to pay.

Next Steps for AdventHealth University employees:

  1. Click “Add to Cart”
  2. Register Now
  3. Complete registration form
  4. Select AdventHealth University Educational Assistance and submit form (other payment options are available for those who have used all of their TA benefits)
  5. Speak to a workforce training specialist for TA confirmation
  6. Start the program

AdventHealth University team members interested in these certificates should acquaint themselves with the Educational Assistance policy.

https://adventhealth.navexone.com/content/docview/?docid=33091

If you need additional funding sources, we offer many convenient options

Pay in full using any major credit card, PayPal, or Venmo. Select “credit card” as your payment option.

Apply for PayPal Credit and pay zero interest if your balance is paid in full within 6-months. Complete a quick application and you’ll receive a credit decision within seconds.

 

Pay for your training with an education loan through Meritize.

Reserve your seat by completing the course registration process using the provided option.

 

CERTIFICATE COMPARISONS

PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Community College
Program & Tuition Cost
$4,000 average
Up to $20,000
Exam Fees, Books & Materials
Included
Up to $750
Job Ready In
3–6 months
24–48 months
Schedule Flexibility
On-demand 24/7
Set class schedule
Travel Requirements
None: 100% online
On-campus classrooms
Student Support
Personal Advisors: text, call and email access
Professors: scheduled office hours
Career Coaching
Exam-tailor + soft-skill training to build well-rounded careers
Exam-based + prerequisites and electives to meet credit
Content Delivery
3D animations, immersive environments, interactive activities, game-based learning
Professor lectures

MEET YOUR WORKFORCE TRAINING SPECIALIST!

Picture of amanda lin

Amanda Lynn is your Workforce Training Specialist. She is here to help you understand your certificate of study, payment options and succeed! Get in touch with Amanda to learn more about your certificate, AdventHealth University and how to achieve your workforce development goals!

FAQ

​​You can! Many patient care technicians have little to no health care experience prior to beginning their training. If you possess a passion for helping others in a health care setting, then you’re able to become a patient care technician.

Many patient care technicians work full-time. The schedule varies as health care facilities such as hospitals and assisted living homes are open 24/7. It may be necessary to work weekends, nights and some holidays. The daily schedule of a PTC does vary as the needs of the patient largely dictate what will be done.

Patient care technicians should have good communication skills, compassion, patience and physical stamina. If you’re lacking in one or more of these areas, it doesn’t necessarily mean you wouldn’t be a good PCT, and it may be an area you wish to focus on as part of your training.

Many patient care technicians find enjoyment in caring for patients. Healthcare is very social and it affords the opportunity to build lasting bonds with co-workers and patients alike. It is also an environment that is fast-paced with little down time.

Patient care technicians and CNAs have very similar job descriptions. They both provide basic patient care such as bathing, feeding, lifting and turning patients, giving catheter care, monitoring vital signs and managing room cleanliness. However, patient care technicians can also perform electrocardiogram readings and perform blood draws and other phlebotomy procedures (as long as they earn the certification). Another difference is CNAs work under the supervision of registered nurses, and patient care technicians do not.

Interested In Another Workforce Development Certificate?

AdventHealth University is devoted to supporting you throughout your professional journey and believes learning is a lifelong endeavor. Our career development certificates provide leading-edge instruction and clinical training in high-demand fields, ensuring you will feel confident and competent as a certified professional.