Patient Care Technician

Career Outlook:

Phlebotomy

Earning Potential:

Median $37,380/year

Job Growth:

+10% (Above Average)

Nursing Asst.

Earning Potential:

Median $30,290/year

Job Growth:

+5% (Average)

Credentials:

Topics:

Ohio Nurse Aide Training
Phlebotomy
EKG
Patient Care Technician
Medical Terminology
CPR
Anatomy and Physiology
And more!

CTSO

Program Overview

Collins Career Technical Center offers a Patient Care Technician program for high school students interested in exploring healthcare careers. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue post-secondary education or entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. The curriculum includes a variety of health-related courses.

Students will receive instruction in advanced medical terminology, nutrition, and advanced nursing skills. In addition, the program provides theory and laboratory instruction in State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA), phlebotomy, EKG, Patient Care Technician, and Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association. Students completing the skill training will be eligible to participate in the National Healthcareer Association Phlebotomy Certification, EKG certification, and Patient care technician certification—also the Ohio nurse aide certification test.

What Do Patient Care Technicians Do?

Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) are healthcare professionals with a diverse range of skills and credentials. They play an essential role in providing patient care in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings. PCTs are trained in various tasks, such as taking vital signs, performing basic medical procedures, administering medications, assisting with activities of daily living, and providing emotional support to patients and their families. They may also have certifications in CPR, phlebotomy, EKG, or other specialized skills. PCTs work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, physicians, and therapists, to provide comprehensive care to patients. With their broad skill set and dedication to patient care, Patient Care Technicians are invaluable members of the healthcare team.

Click the tabs below to find out more what patient care technicians can do with their various credentals.

EKG Technician

Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technicians are responsible for administering diagnostic tests to assess the electrical activity of a patient's heart. Here are some common tasks that EKG Technicians perform:

Prepare patients for EKG testing, explaining the procedure and answering any questions they may have.
Place electrodes on the patient's chest, arms, and legs, ensuring that the equipment is working correctly.
Monitor the patient's vital signs throughout the testing process.
Operate EKG equipment and record data related to the electrical activity of the heart.
Recognize and identify irregularities or abnormalities in the EKG patterns.
Prepare EKG reports and communicate results to healthcare professionals.
Maintain EKG equipment, ensuring that it is in good working order and properly calibrated.
Educate patients about the importance of proper cardiac health and lifestyle choices.
Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and other diagnostic technicians.
Adhere to safety protocols and infection control procedures to prevent the spread of disease.
Overall, EKG Technicians play a crucial role in helping healthcare professionals diagnose and treat cardiac conditions.

STNA

Nursing assistants provide basic care and help with activities of daily living. They typically do the following:

Clean and bathe patients
Help patients use the toilet and dress
Turn, reposition, and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs
Listen to and record patients’ health concerns and report that information to nurses
Measure patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
Serve meals and help patients eat

Phlebotomy

Phlebotomists typically do the following:

Draw blood from patients or blood donors
Explain their work to help relax patients or donors who feel nervous about having blood drawn
Verify a patient’s or donor’s identity
Label the collected blood for testing or processing
Label sterile containers for other samples, such as urine, and instruct patients on proper collection procedures.
Enter sample information into a database
Assemble, maintain, and dispose of medical instruments such as needles, test tubes, and blood vials
Keep work areas and equipment clean and sanitary