CERTIFICATE IN PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN (PCT)
36 SEMESTER HOURS
Patient care technicians are multi-skilled healthcare providers, with training in basic patient care, blood collection, and electrocardiography or hemodialysis. Under the supervision of nursing and medical staff, patient care technicians are employable in a variety of healthcare settings. Students will gain the knowledge and skills to function as beginning-level staff in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, laboratories, and physicians’ offices. Students may choose courses leading to national certification in Electrocardiography (ECG) or courses that qualify them to sit for the Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) Certification.
The PCT curriculum consists of a three semester course load, including nursing assistant, phlebotomy, and electrocardiography or hemodialysis. Nursing assistant training will introduce basic patient care skills, and prepare candidates for state certification through the Department of Health and Human Services, earning the title of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Students will also become CPR and First Aid certified. Certification is required to progress through the program. Phlebotomy training consists of blood collection using needles, as well as an overview of commonly used laboratory techniques. Electrocardiography (ECG) training prepares the students to complete successful cardiac monitoring procedures. Dialysis technician training will introduce the everyday care of the dialysis patient, graft access, and the operation of dialysis machines. After completing Phlebotomy and ECG, the PCT student will be able to attempt national certification in Phlebotomy Technician, ECG Technician, and Patient Care Technician.
Additionally, the Patient Care Technician certificate prepares students to enter other programs at OCtech, as well as other health career programs. Students may obtain general credits toward a future degree program.