Patient care technicians, also known as PCTs, provide essential day-to-day care for those in hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities. They keep patients comfortable and allow doctors and nurses to focus on high-level medical tasks. Although PCTs are an important part of the healthcare team, this career requires less than 1 year of training, making it ideal for students who want to start working quickly. Keep reading to learn more about patient care tech training and employment.
What Does a Patient Care Tech Do?
Some of the most common duties associated with patient care tech jobs include:
- Providing comfort
- Communicating with staff and family members
- Monitoring vital signs
- Collecting specimens
- Preparing patients for procedures
- Assisting with ambulation
Many types of medical facilities have patient care tech jobs available. They include hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, physical rehabilitation centers and medical offices. Patient care tech is a broad term, and depending on the work environment, job titles like home health aide or nursing assistant might be used instead.
Skills Needed for Patient Care Tech Jobs
Beyond the hands-on skills needed for the job, being a patient care tech requires people skills.
- Communication. PCTs regularly interact with patients, family members and other healthcare professionals. They should be able to keep patients calm and explain healthcare concepts in simple terms.
- Conflict resolution. For some people, receiving medical treatment is stressful. It’s common for patients and their family members to get upset. A PCT should be able to resolve conflict effectively. It’s also important to know when to ask for help from a nurse or other colleague.
- Organization. A patient care technician usually works with more than one patient at a time. Good organizational skills ensure that all tasks are completed on time and at a high level of quality.
- Relationship building. Networking is one of the most valuable skills for a patient care tech. If a PCT stays in touch with their classmates and instructors, they’ll have somewhere to turn if they have questions or encounter a difficult problem. As you advance your career, strong relationships can also help you find new employment opportunities.
How to Get a Job as a Patient Care Tech
Getting a job in this field starts with completing patient care tech training in a program like the one at Healthcare Career College. In this program, you’ll learn how to take vital signs, prepare exam rooms, perform electrocardiograms (EKGs), handle patient medical records, and home care skills. The program lasts 11 months, and upon completion you’ll be qualified to work in a variety of out-patient and in-patient healthcare facilities.
Once you complete a training program, you can start applying for jobs. This typically involves filling out applications, submitting résumés and attending job interviews. During an interview, it’s important to demonstrate strong critical-thinking skills. Employers also want candidates who are familiar with medical terminology, anatomy and first aid.
Ready to begin a new career? Contact Healthcare Career College for more information about our patient care tech training!