Essential to the achievement of positive treatment outcomes, a patient care technician (PCT) executes the fundamental details. They make huge differences in the lives of patients, as well as the nurses and physicians they support.
A patient care technician position is perfect for anyone who’d like a hands-on role in the medical profession but isn’t necessarily interested in becoming a nurse or a doctor. Through the medium of this blog, let’s examine their role and responsibilities.
The Role of Patient Care Technicians
Working under the supervision of the members of a nursing team, the primary role of a patient care technician is ensuring the comfort of patients. It also informs the nurses regarding changes they observe in a patient’s condition in order to head off potentially developing issues.
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Responsibilities of PCTs
The provision of emotional support for patients and their families is one of the primary responsibilities of PCTs. Additional duties include the collection of blood, urine, and stool samples—as well as delivering them for lab analysis.
Monitoring a patient’s temperature, pulse, and blood pressure is also number among a PCT’s accountabilities. They also execute and document the results of medical tests, serve patient meals and log their intake of food. Moreover, PCTs assist with exercise and mobility, along with escorting patients around the facility and to their modes of transportation when discharged.
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Comparison With Other Healthcare Professionals
By and large, a PCT serves as support staff for the registered and vocational nurse positions. While it’s true that a vocational nurse can (and does) perform many of the same functions, they also administer injections, set up IVs, and provide wound care. Meanwhile, RNs are also authorized to diagnose patients, as well as provide advanced IV treatments.
How Patient Care Technicians Build Trust
Earning a patient’s trust enables a PCT to be a far more effective caregiver. In most cases, a degree of trust is automatically inferred by the PCTs’ presence in the facility. However, your behavior during that initial encounter will determine whether that preliminary trust will be maintained.
Demonstrating empathy, concern, integrity, and respect will get you off to a good start. Maintaining an awareness of your non-verbal communication is important. It’s critical to present yourself as being open and honest. Crossing your arms, avoiding eye contact, and turning away from a patient while speaking will undermine their trust in you.
The tone of your voice is important as well. You have to walk the line between being nurturing and patronizing when you communicate. It is also crucial to reflect confidence, calm, politeness and respect. Along those same lines, it’s essential to avoid making judgmental statements and criticisms.
Training and Education for Patient Care Technicians
Requirements vary by state, so it’s best to research those of the state in which you plan to work. That said, the most common scenario entails qualifying for a Patient Care Technician Certification. It means earning a high school diploma or GED, along with completing the training that will prepare you to pass the PCT certification examination.
On average, this training can take approximately 52 weeks, during which you’ll work in clinical settings to gain real-world experience. It usually takes place in a local healthcare facility supervised by an instructor who may be a vocational nurse. Courses of study include home health, phlebotomy, and the basics of patient care. Also included are the fundamentals of nursing, anatomy, and electrocardiography.
Land on Your Dream PCT Job Today
Working as a patient care technician can be a rewarding career. It’s hands-on work in a field that’s steadily growing, which can also mean job stability. Best of all, it’s a position in which you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the patients for whom you care, as well as the nurses you support.
As you embark upon your professional career, Wanderly can help you secure the best-traveling patient care technician assignments available. Applying the latest technologies, such as big data and machine learning, we bring travel healthcare professionals and agencies together. We aim to elevate the healthcare staffing industry with our transparent marketplace.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is the difference between a patient care technician (PCT) and a CNA?
PCTs typically undergo more comprehensive and challenging training programs. CNAs are more likely to find employment in nursing homes and hospitals, while PCTs are more likely to find employment in clinics and doctor’s offices.
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Is a patient care tech the same as a nurse?
PCTs do not have the same level of training and licensing as nurses, but they work closely with them to ensure patient care. They also have many shared responsibilities with nurses.
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What is the difference between a PCT and a medical tech?
Patient care technicians carry out many of the same duties as medical technicians. PCTs give a higher emphasis on patient care.