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. Aloha, Oregon is house to many state approved patient care training programs that will prepare students for a patient care technician career. A patient care training program is generally compiled of 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours that will take place after completion of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute associated with the program. In Aloha, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When evaluating a patient care training course, it’s important to be careful and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all of them provide the critical training and hands-on components needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs lack clinical hours, which are fundamental for gaining practical experience drawing blood in a real 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 essential factors to consider when evaluating a program is its accreditation and adherence to professional standards. Program accreditation is a quality assurance granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In patient care, attending an recognized training program ensures that you receive appropriate education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare best practices.
After finishing a patient care training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often confused. This document does not make you a certified patient care technician. It simply proves that you’ve completed 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 set 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 up to date with the latest regulations, advancements, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the amount and type of continuing education hours required, making it straightforward 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 your successful completion of a patient care training school, you will have 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 school and is required to sit for the national certification exam for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To become certified, a patient care technician must have their competency 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 take many forms, such as on-the-job workshops, online courses, webinars, or specialized training modules. These programs often focus on 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 expand and develop their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that patient care technicians can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can make a big difference in your career.
Obtaining patient care technician certification not only demonstrates your skills and commitment to high standards, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, patient care technicians can sharpen their expertise, grow their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a strong applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes an all-inclusive study guide, unlimited practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed entirely online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare with flexibility and from the comfort of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides free resources or if there are additional costs for premium materials.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT).
Once you have registered to take the certification exam, take advantage of a wide range of study resources to boost your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as thorough study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both core concepts and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in weaker areas, and regular use of full-length practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are highly beneficial for simulating the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your certification is made available in your account. Your digital copy, side by side 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 Aloha, Oregon. Training in patient care is a great starting point into the medical industry, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified Patient Care Technicians are in great demand across the healthcare industry due to increased access to healthcare, a growing elderly population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand helps ensure a steady job market, making patient care a stable and attractive career choice.
Patient Care Technicians typically perform a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $38,000, though wages can differ depending on location and experience. With increasing prospects and a brief training period, patient care is a great way to begin a rewarding 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 have to renew their CPCT Certification every 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 complete their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not need to go back to a patient care course 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 following 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 expires, many certifying agencies offer ways to restore your certification. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific steps and timeframes to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CPCT Certification.
A Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) is a highly talented patient care technician with more than 5 years of experience in the field. Patient Care Technician Instructors can work 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 Aloha, Oregon should provide 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 finalize the entire process online. If you would like to speak 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.
