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 complete a training program. Arlington Heights, Illinois is house to many state endorsed 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 joined with the program. In Arlington Heights, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing a patient care training school, it’s important to be careful and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all of them provide the vital training and practical experience opportunities needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs do not offer clinical hours, which are fundamental for gaining practical 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 essential factors to consider when researching a program is its recognized standing and adherence to quality benchmarks. Accreditation is an official endorsement granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of education, 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 finishing a patient care training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misunderstood. This document does not make you “certified”. It simply confirms that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with limited experience.
To get 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 key requirement for renewal if the a certification holder does not wish to take an additional exam. This ensures that certified patient care technicians remain in compliance with the latest professional practices, advancements, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the total 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 gainful completion of a patient care training class, you will get a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a entirely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a patient care training class and is required to sit for the national certification exam for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To officially get certified, a patient care technician must have their competency put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, a patient care technician must update their certification each two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can be completed in several ways, 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 credentialing bodies and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help patient care technicians enhance 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 significantly impact your career.
Obtaining patient care technician certification not only demonstrates your expertise and commitment to high standards, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, patient care technicians can enhance their knowledge, grow their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require certified candidates, making certification an valuable step toward becoming a strong applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a full 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 on your schedule and from the comfort of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are additional costs for upgraded content.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT).
Once you have registered to sit for the credentialing exam, take advantage of a wide range of study resources to enhance your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as comprehensive study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When evaluating prep tools, look for materials that match the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider following a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in weaker areas, and regular use of simulated practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are invaluable for mirroring the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others charge extra for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are rapidly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is provided in your account. Your digital copy, and 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 Arlington Heights, Illinois. Training in patient care is a solid gateway 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 expanded healthcare services, a growing elderly population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand helps ensure a positive employment outlook, 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 fluctuate depending on geography 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 need to renew their CPCT Certification every two years. A Patient Care Technician should start the process at least 30 days prior to the week their credentials expires. This will permit the patient care technician plenty time to review their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not need to go back to a training program 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 next 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 a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves fulfilling 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 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 proficient patient care technician with greater 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 guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Arlington Heights, Illinois should provide students details about 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 undergo the entire process online. If you would like to talk with someone regarding 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.
