Patient Care Technician (Voucher Included)

Patient care technicians (PCTs) are essential healthcare professionals who assist nurses and medical staff with direct patient care and support. Demand for skilled healthcare workers is at an all‑time high and this PCT training program prepares you to pursue entry‑level patient care technician roles in hospitals, clinics, long‑term care facilities, dialysis centers, and home health settings.

This online PCT course is delivered in a flexible, asynchronous format, which allows you to progress at...

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12 Months / 325 Course Hrs
Open Enrollment
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Stephen F. Austin State University

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Patient Care Technician (Voucher Included)

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Course code: GES1049

What you will learn

  • How to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and the interdisciplinary healthcare team using proper medical terminology
  • Develop a thorough understanding of the healthcare delivery system, including the legal, ethical, and professional standards that guide the role and responsibilities of the PCT
  • Demonstrate safe, individualized basic nursing care to a diverse patient population across various healthcare settings
  • Apply critical‑thinking and problem‑solving skills within the PCT scope of practice
  • Collaborating with healthcare team members to support patient safety and positive patient outcomes

How you will benefit

  • Jump‑start your healthcare career by learning essential patient care skills used across a wide range of medical conditions and healthcare settings, including hospitals, long‑term care, and outpatient environments
  • Develop effective, professional communication skills to interact confidently and compassionately with patients, family members or caregivers, and interdisciplinary healthcare team members
  • Understand how to create safe, positive, and efficient patient care experiences that promote comfort, dignity, and trust
  • Gain the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue professional certification that align with your career goals
  • Receive a voucher for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) exam, upon eligibility

How the course is taught

  • Self-paced, online course
  • 12 Months to complete
  • Open enrollment, begin anytime
  • 325 course hours
  1. Medical Terminology
    1. Getting Started
    2. How to Take This Course
    3. Test-Out Exam 1: Lessons 1–Midterm Exam
    4. Introduction to Medical Terminology and the Human Body in Health and Disease
    5. The Musculoskeletal System
    6. The Cardiovascular System
    7. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
    8. The Respiratory System
    9. The Digestive System
    10. The Urinary System
    11. Midterm
    12. Test-Out Exam 2: Lessons 8–Final Exam
    13. The Nervous System
    14. Special Senses: The Eyes and Ears
    15. The Integumentary System
    16. The Endocrine System
    17. Mental Health
    18. Male and Female Reproductive Systems
    19. Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, and Complementary Medicine
    20. Final Exam
  2. Patient Care Technician
    1. Becoming a Patient Care Technician
    2. Law, Ethics, and Healthcare
    3. Soft Skills in Healthcare
    4. The Art of Communicating
    5. Infection Control and Safety Precautions
    6. Workplace and Patient Safety
    7. Organization of the Human Body
    8. The Chief Complaint, Patient History, and Vital Signs
    9. Preparing for and Assisting with the Complete Physical Examination (CPE)
    10. Pharmacology
    11. Patient Care and Comfort: Part 1
    12. Patient Care and Comfort: Part 2
    13. Patient Surgical Care
    14. Patient Positioning and Bed Mobility
    15. Transfer Techniques and Wheelchair Use
    16. Range of Motion, Gait, and Assistive Devices for Mobility
    17. Restorative Care and Rehabilitation
    18. Phlebotomy
    19. Non-Blood Specimen Collections
    20. Cardiology Procedures and ECGs
    21. Special Care: Pregnancy, Postnatal Care, Pediatrics, and Mental and Emotional Health
    22. Special Care: Older Adults, Chronic Conditions, and Palliative and Postmortem Care
    23. Certification Exam Preparation
    24. Preparing for Your Career

Rox Ann Sparks

Rox Ann Sparks, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE, CMHIMP, LNC, is an experienced nurse who has cared for patients and students in nearly every healthcare setting, with 35 years of practice in emergency medicine. Her nursing career has led her from obtaining her CNA, LVN, RN, and MSN to a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP).

Dr. Sparks has experience in being a floor nurse to a chair of nursing. She has developed many different healthcare programs, from PCT to BSN. She has also consulted in accreditation for nursing programs and presented numerous educational programs from natural health to chronic diseases. These experiences led her to become a Certified Nurse Educator.

Dr. Sparks is currently the CEO of Sparks Nursing Consulting, which helps patients become healthier by coaching them to better health. She works with multiple law firms on the defense of nursing standards. She also developed an RN NCLEX review book and app to use the questions and multiple online courses for nurses and healthcare support staff.

Sandra Isaak

Sandra Isaak, MSN, BSN, RN, FNP-C, is an ANCC-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) who currently works as a nurse practitioner in the emergency room at a local hospital. She has worked in this role for over 14 years, and she has spent the past 16 years teaching theory courses and clinical rotations for Certified Nursing Assistants, LVN to RN, RN, BSN, and MSN students. She has also taught and mentored students as program director of the FNP program at a local private university.

Medical Terminology Instructors

Our medical terminology course section is taught by multiple experienced instructors. See here for a full list of these instructors.

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Certification Requirements:

Possess a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency and must have completed a patient care technician training or education program.

State Requirements:

This program is designed to meet the educational requirements to apply for professional licensure or certification in all states.

Each state's licensure or certification authority is responsible for establishing the requirements for professional licensure or certification in its state. Completing this program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria. Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate state licensing authority to confirm the requirements for licensure or a certificate in the state where they live, work, or intend to live or work.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 10 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 12 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Microsoft Word Online
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following digital textbook will be provided via links in the classroom after enrollment in the Medical Terminology course:

  • Medical Terminology for Health Professions (eBook)

The following textbook will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in the Patient Care Technician course:

  • Fundamental Concepts and Skills for the Patient Care Technician

This program includes introductory EKG and phlebotomy training, but many employers require separate certification to perform those duties independently. Students interested in certification can enroll in the EKG Technician or Phlebotomy Technician courses available in our catalog.

The average patient care technician (PCT) salary in the U.S. is $56,349, according to Indeed, as of May, 2026. The salary range is typically dependent on location and could range between $39,553 and $80,278. Variations in salary could also depend on your education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have worked in the profession.

A patient care technician (PCT) is a professional in the healthcare field who supports nurses, doctors, and other medical staff in caring for patients. Patient care technicians observe, catalog, and communicate patient needs and concerns while reporting any changes in status to the patient's care team. As a patient care technician, you will be responsible for making your patients feel comfortable and cared for, which often requires you to provide emotional support and guidance during their treatment.

As a patient care technician, you will support other healthcare staff, including doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel, in caring for patients. You will play a direct role in caring for patients in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities.

Your main role as a patient care technician is to improve patient well-being. You'll communicate what the patient is feeling in addition to their medical status. In short, you'll play a very important role in the healthcare sector.

Some specific duties and responsibilities may include:

  • Regularly checking and recording patient blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse
  • Listening to patient concerns, answering questions, and providing guidance
  • Monitoring conditions and providing updates to other members of the healthcare team
  • Moving, repositioning, or turning patients as needed
  • Helping patients dress and use the bathroom
  • Monitoring patient liquid and food intake
  • Escorting patients for tests or procedures in other areas of the medical facility

This first step to becoming a patient care technician (PCT) is earning your high school diploma or equivalent. You will then need to complete a program that will prepare you to earn a PCT certification that fulfills the requirements set forth by your state. After you complete your training courses, it's time to earn your certification by passing exams that are required by your state and/or employer. Finally, it's time to update your resume and apply for and land a patient care technician position.

Yes. You will be prepared for the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Yes. This course includes two, optional, Test-Out Exam features that will allow you to test out of content and graded assessments if your score demonstrates the level of mastery required (80%). It does not count toward your overall score in this course if you do not achieve the minimum score required for mastery. Please note: Third party funded students may not be eligible.

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

After you register, you will receive 12 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.

ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.

ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us."

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