How to Become a Patient Care Technician in Colorado
A patient care technician is someone who looks after the smallest and biggest needs of the patients to ensure maximum care and comfort while they heal. As a Patient Care Technician, you will also be performing a wide range of basic medical tasks like monitoring vitals and performing phlebotomy. The job description is very similar to that of a certified nursing assistant (CNA), but a PCT will have some additional responsibilities that they can carry out unsupervised.
For those in Colorado, there are a great number of opportunities to pursue a career in becoming a patient care technician.
The requirements may vary from workplace to workplace, but here are the minimum prerequisites you must fulfill-
- You must have a high school diploma or GED to qualify for the training programs and the certification exam.
- You have to join a training program of your choice and complete the program with full attendance of the clinical hours, as is the requirement by the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry. The program duration may vary depending on the school and the degree.
- Once you have finished the program, you have to sit for the certification exam set by NHA, known as the CPCT/A. The exam consists of 20 pretest questions and 100 test questions which you have to answer in 1 hour 50 minutes. You have to pass the exam to get the PCT license.
- Finally, you have to be listed in the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry to be able to apply for jobs.
- You must also have a clean criminal background.
Patient Care Technician Classes in Colorado
There are some great schools you can check out in Colorado if you want to enroll in a patient care technician program. Here are some of them-
Aims Community College: The Allied Health Associate Degree of Aims will help you become prepared to offer quality patient care in different career paths in the healthcare field. Aside from the medical aspects, the course also prepares you for the nuances of the job, like staying calm in emergency situations or having conversations with different types of patients.
Community College of Aurora: The PCT program of this college covers different types of certifications. There are both classes and additional health care coursework with a total of 21 credits that students have to complete. The course combines laboratory and practical exercises in simulation laboratories and clinics. Clinical hours vary.
Colorado Mesa University: CMU’s Department of Health Sciences is quite advanced and covers a lot of degrees. The educational curriculum of the Nursing program is detailed and diverse, and students are taught with the help of fully equipped medical labs, high-tech simulation mannequins, and physical placements in different hospitals.
Community College of Aurora
Address: 16000 E. CentreTech Pkwy
Aurora, Colorado CO
Phone: 303-360-4700
Online: Yes
Community College of Aurora
Address: 2001 Lowe Street
Fort Collins, Colorado CO
Phone: 866-250-6851
Online: Yes
Northeastern Junior College
Address: 100 College Avenue
Sterling, Colorado CO
Phone: 970-521-6600
Online: No