Patient Care Technician (PCT)
Definition & Purpose
The Patient Care Technicians care for injured, physically and mentally ill, disabled or infirm patients in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, physicians' offices or long-term care facilities. They perform routine tasks under the supervision of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals in monitoring the patient's condition and provide basic patient care. Graduates will be able to check vital signs, CPR and First Aid, assist in medical examinations, performing electrocardiograms (EKG's) , basic laboratory procedures, and phlebotomy. The Patient Care Technician plays a vital role in the healthcare delivery team since often have more direct patient contact then any team member including doctors and nurses.
Course Outline
A Patient Care Technician (PCT) is similar to a certified nursing assistant, but generally with more advanced technical skills. Certified Patient Care Technicians work in a hospital or residential care facility under the direction of a registered nurse or physician. They also prepare patients for procedures, assist in moving them if needed, change sterile bandages, and set up medical supplies. they will also collect and document information, medical history, and communicate with patients, their families, and medical staff.
Healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country, oferring plenty of rewarding career opportunities and stable jobs with benefits. As the aging population grows and large numbers of healthcare workers exit the field or retire, more and more hospitals and healthcare facilities are in need of qualified workers to meet the needs of its patients in the most cost-effective way. Job prospects for patient care techs looks very good for the near future. There is an expected 21%-35% growth in the job market over the next decade because of the rapidly aging population. A major employer for patient care techs will be nursing homes and long term care facilities for people with chronic illnesses and disabling conditions.
The Patient Care Technician (PCT) course focuses on four major skills:
- Introduction to the Patient Care Technician - Demonstrate knowledge of organizational and effective team member skills; Practice organizational and effective team member skills in a clinical setting.
- Nursing Process - Care for patients along the health and wellness continuum, including all aspects of ADL's (activities of daily living); Identify when the nurse needs to be notified of changes; Check patient's vital signs and identify normal ranges so that notification of nurse will be don when necessary.
- Phlebotomy Practice - Discuss the function and structure of veins. Identify the names and locations of the veins most suitable for phlebotomy; List equipments and supplies needed to collect blood and discuss the correct use of each; Describe the steps in performing a venipuncture procedure; Discuss techniques and equipment used to minimize biohazard exposure; Identify procedure errors and discuss remedies for each; Identify complications associated with blood collection and discuss how appropriately to respond when each occurs; Recognize sub-optimal specimens and their effect on the quality of laboratory test results.
- EKG Techniques - Describe terms, prefixes and suffixes associated with medical terminology of the body systems; Describe the role and responsibilities of the EKG Technician; Recognize normal and abnormal patterns in the EKG leads; Demonstrate how to prepare a patient for EKG testing; Perform the proper procedures for applying a Holter monitor.
This course prepares you for the following certification exams:
- Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT)
- Please visit the official NHA website for the latest certification information
Prerequisites
- High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalent
- Please call the following phone numbers for more details:
Chicago: (312) 920-8822
Oak Brook: (630) 705-9999
Hours: 425 / 26 Weeks / 6 Months Approx.
