Patient Care Technician Jobs

Patient care technician Jobs are healthcare professionals who are vital to the day-to-day running of hospitals and other medical facilities. This can be an interesting and rewarding job, but there are a few things you should know about this position before accepting the job offer. Here are 10 important things you should know about working as a patient care technician (PCT).

1) What is a Patient Care Technician?

A patient care technician, or PCT, is an important member of your healthcare team. Often called nurses’ assistants, PCTs work closely with registered nurses and physician assistants to provide assistance to patients and clients in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics and private practices. If you enjoy working with people, want to be involved in health-related activities, and possess good organizational skills and an attention to detail, becoming a PCT may be for you.

2) What does the job entail?

Patient care technicians (PCTs) are trained to provide direct patient care under the supervision of doctors, physician assistants and registered nurses. PCTs handle all aspects of patient care under professional supervision, including vital signs and other routine diagnostic tests. The job also includes checking for adequate food and water intake, toileting patients, providing physical assistance with movement to sitting or standing positions, transferring patients from one location to another and recording medical notes on patients’ charts.

3) Educational Requirements

All states require patient care technicians to have at least an associate’s degree in nursing or another health-related field. In fact, many hospitals won’t even consider hiring you without an ASN or BSN (though those requirements vary by position). Of course, some PCTs begin their careers with only high school diplomas and gain experience on-the-job.

4) Licensure

The first thing you should know about patient care technician jobs is that many states require licensure or certification. The requirements for licensure vary from state to state, but typically involve either passing an exam after completing an accredited training program or earning a degree in nursing and passing an exam. Be sure to check with your state’s licensing board before beginning your education and training so you can determine whether licensure is required and what steps you need to take in order to become licensed once you graduate.

5) Job Outlook

According to O*Net Online, employment of patient care technicians is expected to grow by 32 percent between 2012 and 2022. The growth rate is faster than average, but because there are so many opportunities in healthcare overall, competition will be stiff. Keep in mind that even with such a high growth rate, patient care technician jobs are still considered part-time positions with low pay—and will probably stay that way for now.

6) The type of people you will meet

Patient care technicians work with all types of people. From the elderly to disabled adults, PTs assist in keeping patients comfortable and safe during their treatment and recovery. With an average salary of $20,000 to $33,000 per year (depending on your experience), patient care technician jobs are available at most major hospitals in virtually every city across America.

7) How much can you make in Patient Care Technician Jobs?

Most certified nursing assistants can make between $25,000 and $40,000 per year. The average hourly wage for a certified nursing assistant is around $16, but you’ll need to factor in that you’ll likely be working overtime (nearly 2/3 of CNAs work more than 40 hours per week). And if you live in a state where unions are prevalent (such as New York), you might be able to negotiate for higher wages or benefits.

8) A Day in the Life Of Patient Care Technician Jobs

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a patient care technician, your first stop should be your local community college. If you’re pursuing an associate degree or higher, your institution likely has some sort of medical technology program for you to enroll in. But, what exactly does it take to become one? Let’s go over 10 important things you should know about becoming and working as a patient care technician 1. What is a Patient Care Technician? A patient care technician is someone who works under a licensed professional nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN). Their main duties are to help patients with daily living activities such as dressing, bathing, grooming and eating; they also assist with record keeping and other administrative tasks like checking vitals signs. A patient care technician is not permitted to give medications without supervision from an RN or LPN.

9) Best Places to Work

The best jobs in healthcare have certain characteristics. The patient care technician job is full of high-pressured situations, but it is also highly rewarding. If you’re looking for a high-stress, physically and emotionally demanding profession, then becoming a patient care technician could be for you. Patient care technicians work in hospitals and long-term health care facilities to help ensure that patients are comfortable and receive all of their medications on time.

10) Best Companies To Work For

Staffing agency nurse jobs are some of the best-paying in healthcare. There’s more to staffing agency jobs than meets the eye, though—so make sure you understand all of your options before diving in. Make sure you know what’s expected of PCTs and what you can expect from them: Here are 10 things you should know about working as a patient care technician.

Conclusion

PCTs are important members of any medical team. The work they do is varied and important. Since they are so often under-appreciated, we should use every opportunity to praise them for their hard work and dedication. This concludes our list of 10 things you should know about working as a PCT.

Patient Care Technician Jobs : 10 Important Things To Note