Patient Care Technician

Patient Care Technicians, also called Patient Care Associates, fill a vital role in health care delivery by providing multiple skills such as phlebotomy, EKG, nursing assistant and at times data entry in patient care areas. Patient Care Technicians may work in different departments under the supervision of different licensed personnel, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, laboratory and cardiology supervisors. The Patient Care Technician may provide routine care to patients, take and record vital signs, perform glucose tests, collect specimens for testing, assist in rehabilitative programs, perform phlebotomy venipuncture, obtain electrocardiograms, and may perform unit clerical duties. Familiarity with medical terminology and filing procedures is often required. Strong grammar and spelling abilities are essential. Duties may include word processing, data entry, reception, as well as interaction with vendors and patients.

$38,130 per year

Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 216,200 openings for nursing assistants and orderlies are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Training can be obtained at regional vocational schools, specialized training centers, community colleges and sometimes is offered by employers. The training usually consists of 100 hours of lecture accompanied by about 250 hours of supervised clinical practice, and program lengths may require part-time or full-time attendance for several months.

Certification as a Nursing Assistant is required to be a Patient Care Technician. Please visit the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health website for more information.

Any educational institution or program that has this program available.