Patient Care Technician Training in Clearwater

Learn to work alongside physicians and nurses to provide healthcare.

Patient Care Technician Training in Clearwater

Learn to work alongside physicians and nurses to provide healthcare.

Earn your diploma both online and on campus in 12 months.2

Begin your path toward becoming a patient care technician and be there for people when it counts. You can complete Ultimate Medical Academy’s diploma program in 12 months and start receiving our help in your search for a meaningful career.2 Receive a combination of hands-on training at the campus, on-site externship experience, and flexible online coursework that can fit into your schedule.3 Our labs and support services are designed to give you the one-on-one attention you need to succeed. Start learning the foundational skills required for entry-level roles in this growing field.5

The field is in need of dedicated and empathetic technicians who can help doctors and healthcare professionals provide compassionate care. If that sounds like you, our Patient Care Technician program might be the right fit.

What is a patient care technician?

Patient care technicians often provide comfort and care for people experiencing health crises or chronic illnesses. They typically work with patients on small, daily tasks that make a difference in the long run. These include taking vital signs, helping with tasks such as bathing and moving, performing administrative duties, completing lab work, and more.

Let’s talk about it.

You have questions. We have answers.

Complete this form and we’ll email you info on how to get started at UMA, financial aid if qualified, selecting a program, and more. We’ll also give you a call to ensure your questions are answered so you can decide which program is right for you.

By clicking the Request Info button, you agree to be contacted by phone, text message, or email via automated systems by Ultimate Medical Academy about your education at the email addresses and phone numbers you provided above, including any wireless number(s). You are not obligated to agree to automated contact to enroll; instead, you may call us at 888-205-2510. Note that even non-automated calls are recorded for quality assurance.

Patient Care Technician Career Training

Ultimate Medical Academy’s Patient Care Technician program includes a 180-hour unpaid externship under supervision in a healthcare facility. During this time, you’ll get real-world, hands-on training. It’s a great way to learn the practical skills necessary for a career as a patient care technician.

You’ll also receive preparation for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam offered through Prometric. UMA also prepares students to sit for the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) and Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exams offered through the National Healthcare Association (NHA).*

* Graduates must meet eligibility requirements to sit for the examinations.

Typical Courses

UMA’s Patient Care Technician diploma program helps prepare you for entry-level positions in the field through a combination of online lectures and coursework as well as hands-on lab settings at the campus. Through this approach, you’ll focus on topics such as pathology, body systems, operating diagnostic equipment, and administering EKGs. Our 180-hour on-site externship is also included in your program for real-world experience.

Diploma Program

Credits: 31.5 Approx. time to complete: 12 months2

  • Principles of Allied Health 5.0 credits
  • Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology 5.0 credits
  • Pharmacology 4.5 credits
  • Clinical Lab Procedures & Phlebotomy 4.0 credits
  • Clinical Externship 4.0 credits
  • Nursing Assistant 5.0 credits
  • Advanced Phlebotomy 4.0 credits

Work Environments

Professionals in this field work in settings such as:

  • Dialysis clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Urgent care clinics
  • Nursing homes (long term care)
  • Physician offices

Why choose UMA?

When you pursue a Patient Care Technician diploma from Ultimate Medical Academy:

  • You gain a strong foundation for pursuing your new career.
  • You’ll have UMA staff dedicated to your success.
  • You have a career services team committed to getting you interview ready so you can jumpstart your search for a career.
  • You receive hands-on training with online features for increased flexibility.3

At UMA, you won’t feel like just another number. In fact, you’ll participate in classrooms with a maximum size of 25 students. Our student support teams can help you with academic support, technical assistance, job search guidance, mock interviews, financial aid if qualified, and more.

Our programs also include 24/7 tech support that helps you become comfortable with computers and in the UMA online environment. Receive guidance from your instructors and learn what it takes to pursue your career.

A diploma can open doors to lifelong learning and set the groundwork for your newfound passion and career path. Let UMA help you change your future. We are proud to have supported more than 85,000 students through graduation so far. We’d love to help you, too!

What kind of financial aid options are available?

If you qualify for applicable financial aid, we’ll walk you through the process. Multiple resources may be available to help pay for the cost of your education. Our Student Finance advisors are committed to helping you understand the options you qualify for and can assist you in applying for various forms of financial aid to see if you qualify.

To learn more about financial aid possibilities, contact a Student Finance advisor at 727-298-8685.

Not sure which program to choose?

Try our fun and informational healthcare careers quiz for inspiration. Just answer a few simple personality questions and learn which program may best suit you!

In their words…

FAQs

  • Is there a difference between schools that offer Patient Care Technician training?

    While the basic training may be similar between schools that offer patient care technician programs, UMA is pleased to offer an extensive list of student services, all included in our tuition. UMA is a school that offers a Patient Care Technician career training program which includes one-on-one academic support, externship (unpaid), help with writing your resume, job interview coaching and job search assistance.

  • How much does a patient care technician make?

    Entry-level positions for this career field typically start in the lower range of estimated salaries, with the lowest 10 percent being $23,880 or less annually. UMA’s PCT and HS-PCT programs prepare graduates for such entry-level positions and their median graduate salaries generally tend to be in the lower part of this range, based on self-reported data from graduates shortly after graduation.

    The median annual salary for all those in this career field (not just UMA graduates) is $30,310. The top 10 percent of earners in this career field earned more than $44,240. In other words, not many people in this field make more than this amount annually.

    Note: Salaries may vary according to location and other factors.

  • What should I look for in top schools for patient care technician training?

    Different people have different ideas of what makes a top school. To us, top schools that offer patient care technician programs should provide personal assistance every step of the way with services like one-on-one academic support. Top schools that offer patient care technician career training should also provide career services such as job search assistance.

  • Where can I find more info about being a patient care technician?

    You can read more about being a patient care technician in our blog, In Healthcare Today, which includes articles such as The Benefits of Working as a Patient Care Technician.

  • Where can I find UMA patient care technician career training?

    UMA offers patient care technician career training at our campus in downtown Clearwater, located at 1255 Cleveland St. Contact us now to schedule a tour.

  • Do I need patient care technician certification to work as one?

    The CPCT/A certification is not needed for a student to work as one, although many employers might require it. Students receive course preparation to sit for the Florida Certified Nursing Assistant exam, Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant exam, and Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam. Graduates must meet eligibility requirements to sit for the exams.

  • Is UMA Accredited?

    Ultimate Medical Academy is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES.org), a national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Though UMA is not your traditional 4-year university or local community college, we offer online diplomas and degrees in 11 healthcare programs, some of which offer on-site externships and certification preparation — all intended to put you in a position to pursue a healthcare career after graduation.

  • What is a patient care technician?

    The patient care technician is someone who works alongside physicians and nurses to provide day-to-day care that patients need. Generally, a patient care technician may operate diagnostic equipment, collect samples and perform lab work. See nursing assistant and medical assistant for similar careers.