Patient Care Technicians play a key role in the medical field. Patient Care Technicians draw blood and perform EKGs, monitor vital signs, and assist with patients’ daily needs — ensuring both accurate diagnostics and compassionate support.
The first step to your career as a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) is to choose a training course. Albany, New York is house to many state credited patient care training programs that will prepare students for a patient care technician career. A patient care training program is generally between 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours that will take place separate of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute allied with the program. In Albany, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When selecting a patient care training program, it’s important to be methodical and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not 100% of them provide the critical training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs do not offer clinical hours, which are vital for gaining real-world experience drawing blood in a clinical lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the required requirements for national certification — even if you graduate from the course.
One of the most crucial factors to consider when comparing a program is its approval status and adherence to industry guidelines. Accreditation is an official endorsement granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In patient care, attending an approved training program ensures that you receive comprehensive education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare industry standards.
After completing a patient care training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misinterpreted. This document does not make you nationally certified. It simply verifies that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior experience.
To become certified, students must pass an exam from a recognized agency such as National Performance Specialists (NPS). NPS helps define national standards, develops the certification exams, and maintains a registry of certified professionals.
Certification must be updated every two years, and completing continuing education is a mandatory requirement for renewal if the a certification holder does not wish to take an additional exam. This ensures that certified patient care technicians remain current with the latest professional practices, advancements, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the number and type of continuing education hours required, making it easy for professionals to maintain their credentials.
If you are planning to attend a patient care training program and would like an NPS adviser to double check that the program is legit, contact us today.
Upon successful completion of a patient care training program, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a extremely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a patient care training course and is required to register for the national certification examination for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To become certified, a patient care technician must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a patient care technician must renew their certification once every two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can come in multiple formats, such as on-the-job workshops, online courses, webinars, or specialized training modules. These programs often include the latest best practices, safety protocols, and technological advancements in patient care. Many professional organizations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help patient care technicians enhance and advance their skills.
There are several certification agencies that patient care technicians can choose to become certified with, but selecting the most recognized one can make a big difference in your career.
Obtaining patient care technician certification not only shows your competency and commitment to quality care, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, patient care technicians can sharpen their expertise, build their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a competitive applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a comprehensive study guide, repeated practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed fully online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare with flexibility and from the ease of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides included study tools or if there are additional costs for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT).
Once you have registered to sit for the certification exam, make use of a variety of exam preparation materials to boost your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as comprehensive study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that closely align with the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of full-length practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are extremely useful for simulating the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are rapidly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is available in your account. Your digital copy, along with your NPS transcripts, should be downloaded and printed for use as proof of certification.
Now that you’re a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT), you’re ready to begin your medical career in Albany, New York. Patient Care is an excellent gateway into the medical industry, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified Patient Care Technicians are in high demand across the healthcare industry due to increased access to healthcare, an aging population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand contributes to a steady job market, making patient care a reliable and attractive career choice.
Patient Care Technicians typically work a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $38,000, though wages can differ depending on region and experience. With growing opportunities and a fast-track training period, patient care is a great way to begin a meaningful healthcare career.
NPS works with multiple staffing agencies to help our members find a career in the patient care field. Click here for more information on CPCT job placement assistance by NPS.
Certified Patient Care Technicians will need to renew their CPCT Certification after two years. A Patient Care Technician should start the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will permit the patient care technician ample time to attend their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register to a school or attend a class to renew your certification.
The renewal process can be completed from start to finish online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your certification for the new two year is $200.00. Renewing ensures your employer that you are dedicated to updating your knowledge in the patient care field.
If your certification lapses, many certifying agencies offer ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific guidelines and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CPCT Certification.
A Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) is a highly intelligent patient care technician with more than 5 years of experience in the field. Patient Care Technician Instructors can teach for or own their own school. They’re responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Albany, New York should tell their students with the instructors background and credentials.
If a patient care technician meets the requirements and wishes to become a Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) they can complete the entire process online. If you would like to talk with someone about the process, contact us today.
Click to learn more about becoming a Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI).
National Performance Specialists is also partnered with the American Red Cross to provide job placement assistance to NPS Members and to assist the American Red Cross in recruiting quality candidates across the United States.
All NPS certification programs are proudly listed within the Certification Finder by CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and is a proud partner of the AmericanJobCenter network.
