Patient Care Technicians, also known as Emergency Department Technician, possess a diverse range of skill and knowledge to provide care to patients in hospital emergency departments, clinics, long-term acute care and rehabilitation centers. Build upon your nursing assistant or EMT technical and interpersonal skills while advancing in your career. This program includes embedded micro certifications that are stackable credentials. Students will receive all course materials and online study guide with practice exams. Basic computer competency required. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be prepared to sit for the national Certified Patient Care Technician examination which is included in the registration fee.
- Advanced Patient Skills
- Phlebotomy for the Health Care Professional-certification
- Mental Health First Aid-certification
- EKG-certification
- Wound Care-certification
Upon successful completion of the Patient Care Technician program, the student should be able to:
1. Assist with advanced patient care in the acute care setting under nurse delegation. Duties may include participation with rapid response and stabilization in an emergent event.
2. Adhere to the five rights of nurse delegation.
3. Demonstrate competency and achieve certification in Phlebotomy for the Health Care Professional, EKG, Wound Care, and Mental Health First Aid.
4. Display professionalism and ethical behavior in appearance, job performance, written and verbal communication, and participate as a team member within various health care settings.
5. Met eligibility to sit for the Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) exam through National Healthcare Association (NHA).
6. Describe maintenance of credential through continuing education.
Students will meet twice per week in the lab for in depth experiential learning, applying real world scenarios, engaging in critical thinking activities and practice competency skills.
- 10-11 weeks
- 110 total hours
High School Diploma or equivalent. Must be a Current Certified Nursing Assistant with a minimum of three months experience or National Registered Emergency Medical Technician. Copy of high school transcript or GED and professional certification is required.
Upon successful completion of the program, students are prepared to sit for the Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) exam through National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The certification is accredited by The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). http://www.nhanow.com/certifications/patient-care-technician
Micro Certifications Include:
- Phlebotomy for the Health Care Professional (SkillStack). The Phlebotomy for the Heath Care Professional is not designed to prepare you for any Certified Phlebotomy Technician exams.
- EKG Certification (SkillStack)
- Wound Care Assistance (SkillStack)
- Mental Health First Aid through National Council for Behavioral Health
Upon successful completion of this program, you will have the opportunity to enter into an externship at Kootenai Health. This rotation includes a minimum of 48 hours with an EKG Technician, a phlebotomy tech. and a rotation in the emergency department. Registration is 195.00 and includes the required background check and Clinical Placement Northwest (CPNW) onboarding fee. An externship schedule will be based upon your availability. You must have 100% lab attendance and provide the following health screening documentation by the listed due date to be eligible:
- TB Test within 12 months
- Mumps, Measles & Rubella vaccination x 2 doses or a titer
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
- Hepatitis B series or titer
- Varicella vaccine or history of chicken pox
- Influenza vaccine in season
- Completion of onboarding orientation modules
- Current BLS CPR Card
- Black scrub top with any color scrub bottom
Clinical Rotation Objectives:
- PCT student will demonstrate participation and further development of skills in the clinical setting with their assigned preceptor as delineated on the skills checklist.
- PCT student will demonstrate knowledge and practice of the five rights of nursing delegation in the clinical setting.
- PCT student will demonstrate knowledge and practice of the Emergency Department Technician or Patient Care Technician role within the health care interdisciplinary team.