Patient Care Technician

National Certification by NHA, Certification by OSHA & CPR by Red Cross
PCT hands on experience & textbook preparation

In Pinnacle Institutes new Patient Care Technician (PCT) Course, students will learn skills such as checking vital signs, assisting with mobility, collecting samples, and assisting with physical therapy in just 13 weeks! As a PCT, you’ll also be able to work under nurses or doctors to provide that extra care and hands that a hospital or an urgent care clinic may need; most of a PCT’s tasks require face-to-face assistance with their patients.

This course is similar to our Certified Medical Assistant course; however, this course is 13 weeks instead of 19 weeks. Medical Assistants do many of the same tasks, but they also handle front-desk tasks such as scheduling appointments and collecting payments for facilities they work with.

Watch: Patient Care Technician course and job description

What is a Patient Care Technician?

When patients face health crises, chronic illnesses, or recovery periods, Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) are right there on the front lines providing comfort and direct care. As vital members of the healthcare team, PCTs work hand-in-hand with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to ensure that medical facilities run efficiently and that patients receive compassionate, continuous support. Because they bridge the gap between clinical tasks and daily human interaction, PCTs play an essential role in improving patient outcomes and easing the load on nursing staff.

What does a Patient Care Technician do?

Monitor Vital Signs: Regularly check and record critical patient stats, including blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiration.
Perform EKGs: Operate EKG to measure the heart’s electrical activity and help detect cardiac issues.
Collect Lab Samples: Safely draw blood, gather urine or tissue samples, and deliver them to the laboratory for diagnostic testing.
Assist with Daily Living (ADLs): Help patients maintain their hygiene and dignity through support with bathing, grooming, dressing, and feeding.
Manage Patient Mobility: Safely lift, turn, and reposition patients or assist them in moving between beds, chairs, and wheelchairs.
Track Intake and Output: Closely monitor and record patients’ food and liquid consumption, noting any sudden changes or irregularities.
Provide Emotional Support: Act as a comforting, empathetic presence, listening to patient concerns and helping ease stress during medical stays.
Communicate Condition Updates: Observe patients continuously and report any physical or behavioral shifts directly to the nursing staff.
Support Facility Efficiency: Help organize patient rooms, restock supplies, and assist with general administrative or clinical maintenance tasks.

Average Salary In NM (salary.com)

$ 0

What will I learn?

Helping a patients mobility issues move between a bed, chair, and/or wheelchair, ADL disability
Assisting patients during exercise
Tracking patient progress during care, including physical therapy
Listening to and noting patient concerns
Checking vitals signs
Collecting samples, such as blood or urine, and delivering them to the laboratory
Acting as a companion for patients and providing comfort support
Serving as a liaison for family visits
Phlebotomy Technician skills
EKG Technician Skills

Course schedule

Classroom portion of course held 2 days per week:

Monday & Thursday Evenings: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

13 week in classroom.

Please use the form below to get information about our next start dates for all our Patient Care Technician course schedules!