The Patient Care Technician (PCT) program provides hands-on assistance in serving the basic needs of patients in a hospital setting. The PCT will perform bathing, feeding catheter care, safety checks, and ensure patient room cleanliness. The PCT will also obtain EKG readings, monitor vital signs, and provide phlebotomy procedures. Ethical decision-making will provide patient-centered care and compassionate support to families.
The Patient Care Technician program will begin in Spring 2025. The program is designed to be completed within eight weeks and will be offered every semester.
Completion of the PCT program allows the student to sit for the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited National Health Career Association (NHA) Certified Patient Care Technician Exam (CPCT). The student will sit for the exam at College of DuPage during the last week of the program.
Registration Information
Prospective students must follow specific registration criteria before being admitted into the program. Review the registration packet for more information.
Determine Your Path
Nursing teams will continue to need PCTs in the future. PCTs have various career paths to becoming a nurses aid, medical assistant, phlebotomist, EKG technician and more.
Whether you are interested in becoming a patient care technician, certified nursing assistant or continuing your education, COD can help you start. COD offers:
- Passionate instructors with years of working in the nursing field.
Patient Care Technician
The Patient Care Technician (PCT) Certificate teaches students how to provide hands-on assistance in serving the basic needs of patients in a hospital setting.
Get Started Today
The first step to getting started in the program is to read the registration packet. The packet contains a registration checklist that you will need to follow in order to be eligible to register for the class.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
Patient Care Technician program graduates will:
- Consider the needs of all patients, regardless of race, gender, religion, disability, or background
- Assist doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals with the critical day-to-day care of patients
- Consistently practice in accordance with professional, legal, and ethical standards
- Adhere to evidence-based practices that provide hands-on assistance to serve patients' basic needs
- Implement strong teamwork skills to effectively communicate, resolve conflicts, and make decisions
Career Information
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