Patient Care Technician

To be a successful Patient Care Technician you should…

• enjoy working directly with patients
• be able to follow written and verbal instructions
• have good manual dexterity
• be caring, trustworthy, dependable and honest
• be able to make good judgments
• have patience and communicate positively with people
• have the ability and sensitivity to maintain confidentiality

What will my job be like?

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.

Where could I work?

Patient Care Technicians work in hospitals, nursing homes, public health clinics, doctor’s offices, independent clinical laboratories, or blood banks.

What is the average annual salary?

$31,000

What is the future of this career?

The BLS reports that overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 192,800 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.

What type of education and/or training do I need?

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.

Where can I get the education and/or training?

• Capital Community College, Hartford
• Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport
• Lincoln Technical Institute, New Britain/Shelton
• Middlesex Community College, Middletown
• Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury
• Northwestern Connecticut Community College, Winsted
• Norwalk Community College, Norwalk
• Quinebaug Valley Community College, Danielson
• St. Vincent’s College, Bridgeport
• Stone Academy, East Hartford/West Haven/Waterbury
• Three Rivers Community College, Norwich
• Tunxis Community College, Farmington
• Valley Medical Institute, Bridgeport

Do I need a license or certification for this career?

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.

Where can I get more information?

Any educational institution or program that has this program available.