There are many advantages of choosing a career where you are involved in patient care. Being a patient care technician (PCT) is one such career path. PCTs assist patients with basic care needs and monitor their health. If you're considering a healthcare career, consider these benefits of becoming a patient care tech.
Different opportunities
Patient care technicians (PCT) can work in various environments. Retirement communities, hospitals, medical practices, and hospices typically employ patient care technicians. In addition to the range of employment opportunities, there is also a range of skills that PCTs perform. You could assist a doctor in performing a physical exam, manage medical charts, take a patient’s blood pressure, draw blood, and collect a tissue sample.
Every day is different
As a PCT, you'll never have the same day twice. You'll work with various patients each day, doing different tasks. In this position, you may collect bodily fluids to be tested, change bandages, assist at mealtimes, record patient behaviors and health data, discuss patients' symptoms and relay them to a nurse, or bathe a patient and prepare a bed with fresh linens.
You also might work with different staff each day. Some days you may assist doctors and surgeons, other days nurses or physical therapists. However, most of the time, patient care technicians work with registered nurses to care for patients.
You're making a positive impact
You can fall asleep at night knowing you're doing good for others. You can watch patients progress back to good health over time or ensure that they remain healthy during routine checkups. This career allows you to build relationships with the staff you work with as well as patients. Working as a patient care technician can be a very rewarding career.
Fast employment growth
Healthcare employment is growing fast, including jobs for nursing assistants (under which PCTs are categorized). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that between 2016 and 2026, jobs for medical assistants are expected to grow by 11 percent. That means 177,700 more jobs and more opportunities in the future.
Pursuit of higher education
If you're looking to graduate in under a year, consider a PCT diploma program. However, if you find yourself with more time in the future and wish to grow into management positions, consider an associate degree. Earning an associate degree includes taking general education courses (English, math history) in addition to those you took for your diploma.
These are just few things to know about the benefits of being a patient care technician. Consider these tips to figure out if this position is right for you and then find a local campus at which to earn a diploma or associate degree.
Originally posted: December 28, 2016
Last updated: October 16, 2018