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Patient Care Technician Programs
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Posted On :
Jun-18-2011
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Article Word Count :
443
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Patient care technician programs train students to work with nurses, physicians and a number of other health care workers to provide services to patients in a variety of health care settings. A patient care technician (PCT) is a type of nursing assistant who spends his or her time working directly with patients, more so than any doctor or nurse ever does.
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Patient care technician programs train students to work with nurses, physicians and a number of other health care workers to provide services to patients in a variety of health care settings. A patient care technician (PCT) is a type of nursing assistant who spends his or her time working directly with patients, more so than any doctor or nurse ever does. Health care has become very technologically advanced, and doctors and nurses are seeing more patients than ever before. Thus, patient care technicians help to provide services to patients that others don’t have time for.
The Role of a Patient Care Technician
PCT training programs prepare students to assist patients with many different tasks. Anything patients can’t do for themselves while staying in an assisted living center, hospital, long term care facility, nursing home or rehabilitation clinic is the responsibility of patient care technicians. The following are just a few of the tasks that a patient care technician might assist patients with on any given workday:
- Brushing teeth and hair
- Eating meals
- Getting out of bed
- Moving from one bed or gurney to the next
- Taking a bath
Patient care technicians may also assist nurses and doctors with various tasks that they don’t have time to do themselves, from prepping the exam rooms to taking the patients’ vital signs. This will all depend on the type of facility and the requirements of the job. Patient care technicians might also be referred to as certified nursing assistants, clinical support associates, CNAs, health care assistants, hospital attendants, nurses’ aides or nurses’ assistants.
Training to Become a Patient Care Technician
Patient care technicians must complete training and certification to qualify for most entry-level jobs in this field. This training will typically prepare students with the following types of training:
- CPR and First Aid
- Electrocardiograms (EKGs)
- General laboratory procedures
- Medical examination basics
- Vital signs
PCT training programs usually include a combination of classroom lectures and practical experience, both in labs and through hands-on training opportunities. There are diploma programs and certificate programs that can be finished in less than one year, and there are also associate’s degree programs that take about two years. Some employers prefer the associate’s degree, but a diploma or certificate will be much quicker. Graduates must also pass a CNA exam to be professionally certified. Hopefully, the preceding information has helped you decide whether or not this career is right for you.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Patient Care Technician Programs_64326.aspx
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Author Resource :
Find top health science schools which are offering patient care technician programs at HealthDegreesU.com. Choose the best health care programs and school for you and start your path to a rewarding career.
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Keywords :
patient care technician programs, patient care assistant programs, patient care technician courses,
Category :
Reference and Education
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Reference and Education
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