Patient Care Technician: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path
Learn about the key skills, qualifications, and career path for a Patient Care Technician
Practice Interviews Online - Identify your strengths and weakness in a realistic Patient Care Technician mock interview, under 10 minutes
Practice Now »What is a Patient Care Technician?
A Patient Care Technician is a nursing professional who supports doctors and registered nurses in providing care to sick or injured patients, as well as assisting with daily healthcare tasks. They play a vital role in medical teams, helping with various aspects of patient care, including offering advice and teaching best nursing practices.
Skills
- Patient assessment and monitoring
- Basic medical procedures (e.g. taking vital signs, administering medication)
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment
- Teamwork and collaboration with other healthcare professionals
- Empathy and compassion for patients and their families
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing patient needs and schedules
- Knowledge of infection control and safety protocols
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect patient privacy
Qualifications & Education
- Qualification as a nurse is obtained through a diploma or degree course provided by universities in the UK
- Both diploma and degree courses include theoretical and practical work, including placements in hospital and community settings
- Full-time diploma courses last for three years, while degree courses last for three or four years
- Accelerated programmes are available for graduates with a health-related degree
- The minimum age limit to enter training is 17 years and 6 months
- Post-registration training is available for a range of clinical specialisms
Career Path
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, PCTs are in demand in the UK and are projected to grow by 17% in 2024 according to The Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology.
To become a Patient Care Technician (PCT) in New York, you can take the EKG/Phlebotomy program at ABC if you are already a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA). If you are not a CNA, you can take the "Advanced Nurse Aide" course, which includes CNA, EKG, and Phlebotomy training.
A Patient Care Technician (PCT) in the UK is responsible for checking vital signs, monitoring food intake, administering medications, sterilizing patient rooms, preventing bedsores, and accompanying patients to x-ray rooms, among other duties.
Identify your strengths and weakness in a realistic Patient Care Technician mock interview, under 10 minutes
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