Patient Care Technician

  • Health, Public Safety & Human Services

Are you looking for a rewarding career in healthcare? Patient care may be the right path for you. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts a 21% growth in patient care technician job openings, making it one of the fastest growing healthcare careers.

What is a Patient Care Technician?

Patient care technicians play a critical role in patient care, no matter what type of facility they work in. And, with a PCT certification, there are a variety of different career opportunities to choose from. 

PCTs work hand-in-hand with doctors and nurses in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and long-term care facilities, providing standard and advanced clinical duties. PCTs must recognize the individual needs of their patients, and work with other healthcare professionals to create personalized care plans to treat them. 

Certified Patient Care Technicians feed and serve meals to patients, provide activities of daily living for patients, and manage safety checks. However, they can also perform more important hands-on medical duties such as drawing blood, administering electrocardiogram assessments and measuring/monitoring vital signs.

About JJC's PCT Program

JJC’s online courses will prepare students for the Certified Patient Care Technician exam, sponsored by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Students will have hands-on training in the laboratory classroom setting and at community clinical sites, working with health professional mentors.

PCT courses include: Introduction to Health Careers (HEAL 100), Phlebotomy Technician Training (NA 120), Electrocardiography Technician Training (NA 122), Nursing Assistant (NA 101), and Clinical Practicums (NA 123/NA 125). Total: 18 credit hours to earn a Patient Care Technician Certification (CCO). 

The program takes one year to complete. JJC accepts many certifications and credit that students may have earned at other institutions. Talk to an advisor today!

Program Contact Information

Ruth Ann Reel, PCT Program Coordinator

ruthann.reel@jjc.edu