Contents
Becoming a patient care tech is a great way to get started in the medical field. If you’re interested in becoming a patient care tech, here are 5 easy steps to get you started.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
Becoming a patient care tech is a great way to enter the medical field and begin a career in healthcare. A patient care tech works closely with patients, nurses, and doctors to provide quality care. If you enjoy working with people and want to make a difference in the lives of others, then this might be the perfect career for you!
Here are five easy steps to become a patient care tech:
1. Complete an accredited program. There are many accredited programs available both online and in-person. To find an accredited program near you, check out the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing’s (ACEN) website.
2. Pass the National Healthcare Association’s (NHA) Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) exam. The CPCT exam is a nationally recognized certification that demonstrates your knowledge and skills as a patient care tech. To learn more about the CPCT exam and how to register, visit the NHA website.
3. Complete a background check and drug screen. Most healthcare facilities require patient care techs to complete a background check and drug screen prior to beginning employment. This is to ensure that you are qualified for the position and will provide quality care to patients.
4. Obtain CPR certification. Many accredited programs include CPR certification as part of the curriculum, but some do not. If your program does not include CPR certification, you can obtain it through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
5. Find a job! Once you have completed all of the above steps, you are ready to begin your career as a patient care tech! To find open positions, search online job boards or contact your local hospital or clinic directly.
What is a Patient Care Technician?
A Patient Care Technician (PCT) is a member of the healthcare team who provides patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). As a PCT, you will be responsible for many of the basic care activities that patients need, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. You will also take vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature, and collect patient information to help the RN or LPN provide better care.
If you are interested in becoming a Patient Care Technician, there are a few things that you will need to do. Below are 5 easy steps that you can follow to become a PCT:
1. Complete an accredited Patient Care Technician program. There are many accredited programs available both online and offline. To find an accredited program near you, simply search for “accredited Patient Care Technician programs” on your preferred search engine.
2. Pass the National Healthcare Association (NHA) certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) exam. Once you have completed an accredited PCT program, you will need to pass the NHA CPCT exam in order to earn your certification. You can register for the exam online at the NHA website.
3. Get CPR certified. In order to provide the best possible care for your patients, it is important that you know how to properly perform CPR in case of an emergency. There are many CPR certification courses available both online and offline. To find a course near you, simply search for “CPR certification courses” on your preferred search engine.
4. Get licensed or registered in your state (if required). Some states require PCTs to be licensed or registered in order to practice. To find out if your state has this requirement, simply visit your state’s healthcare board website or search for “PCT licensure [your state]” on your preferred search engine.
5. Find a job! Once you have completed steps 1-4, you will be ready to start working as a Patient Care Technician! To find open positions in your area, simply search for “PCT jobs [your location]” on your preferred search engine
The 5 Easy Steps to Becoming a Patient Care Technician
If you’re looking for a career in the medical field, but don’t want to go through the long and arduous process of becoming a doctor, then becoming a patient care technician may be the perfect option for you. And the best part is, it only takes 5 easy steps to get started on this career path.
Step One: Research
The first step to becoming a patient care technician is doing your research. This means learning about the different roles and responsibilities of a patient care technician, as well as the educational requirements and job outlook
You can start your research by reading articles like this one, which will give you an overview of what it takes to become a patient care technician. You can also check out the website of the National Healthcare Association, which offers certification for patient care technicians. Finally, you can talk to someone who is already working in the field, such as a friend or family member, to get their insights.
Step Two: Earn Your high school diploma or GED
The next step on your journey to becoming a patient care technician is to earn your high school diploma or GED. While you can technically become a patient care technician with just a high school diploma, having a GED will make you more competitive when applying for jobs.
If you don’t have your high school diploma or GED yet, there are plenty of resources available to help you earn it. You can find adult education classes at your local community college, or you can even take online courses from the comfort of your own home. Whichever route you choose, make sure you put in the effort to earn that diploma or GED!
Step Three: Complete an Training Program
Once you have your high school diploma or GED in hand, it’s time to complete an accredited training program for patient care technicians. These programs typically last around six months and can be found at community colleges and technical schools. Some hospitals also offer training programs for those interested in becoming patient care technicians.
During your training program, you’ll learn about topics such as human anatomy, medical terminology, and infection control. You’ll also get plenty of hands-on experience working with patients in different settings. By the time you finish your program, you’ll be fully prepared to start your career as a patient care technician!
Step Four: Obtain Certification (Optional)
After completing your training program, you may decide to obtain certification through an organization like the National Healthcare Association (NHA). While certification is not required to work as a patient care technician in most states, it can certainly help you stand out from other job candidates when applying for jobs. In addition, some employers may require certification as part of their hiring process. Certification requires passing an exam and typically needs to be renewed every two years through continuing education credits. Finally keep in mind that some states have their own certification requirements for patient care technicians so be sure check with yours before beginning work. Completing Step Three will usually fulfill any state specific requirements.. Regardless of whether or not you decide to get certified, make sure you stay up-to-date on new developments in the field by taking continuing education courses and participating in professional organizations like the NHA.. Research shows that those who are actively involved in their profession tend to be more successful than those who are not.. Step Five: Start Your Career! After completing all of the steps above, congratulations—you’re now ready to start your career as a patient care technician! To get started on your job search, check out job postings online or contact local hospitals and clinics directly.. Once you’ve landed a job (or several), remember to stay positive and professional while on the job.. As a patient care technician, you’ll play an important role in ensuring that patients receive high-quality healthcare.. Be sure to put your best foot forward every day so that patients will continue to receive great care from qualified professionals like YOU!
Step Two: Complete a Patient Care Technician Program
The next step to becoming a Patient Care Technician is to complete an accredited program. A typical PCT program will last between 6 and 12 months, and will include both classroom and clinical instruction.
During your classroom instruction, you will learn about basic medical concepts, human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and routine patient care procedures. In your clinical rotations, you will get the opportunity to put your skills to the test as you work under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.
Upon successful completion of an accredited PCT program, you will be eligible to take the national certification exam.
Step Three: Obtain Certification
Most employers will require you to obtain certification before you can begin working as a patient care technician. You can usually obtain certification through a community college, vocational school, or online program. Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass an exam in order to receive your certification.
After you have obtained your certification, you will need to keep your certification current by taking continuing education courses. Most states require patient care technicians to take at least 10 hours of continuing education every year in order to stay certified.
Step Four: Find a Job
There are a number of ways to find a job as a patient care technician. You can search the internet, newspapers, or job boards. You can also contact hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities directly.
If you decide to search for a job on your own, it is important to be prepared. You will need to have a resume and cover letter that explain your qualifications and experience. You may also need to take a skills test or complete a short training program before you are hired.
If you are interested in working as a patient care technician, but are not sure where to start, you may want to consider Completed Applications. Completed Applications is a website that helps connect healthcare employers with qualified job seekers. We provide job seekers with access to thousands of jobs in the healthcare industry, ranging from entry-level positions to management roles. We also offer guidance and resources on how to prepare for interviews and Negotiate your salary once you’ve been offered a position.
Step Five: Advance Your Career
In order to advance your career as a patient care technician, you will need to gain experience working in the field. You may also want to consider pursuing certification through an accredited organization such as the National Healthcare Association or the American medical technologists Once you have gained experience and/or certification, you can begin applying for jobs at larger healthcare facilities or hospitals. With experience and further education, you may even be able to become a registered nurse.
Conclusion
In conclusion, becoming a patient care tech is a great way to start a career in the medical field. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can be on your way to a successful and rewarding career in no time.
