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 attend a training class. Cambridge, Massachusetts is home 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 a total 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 Cambridge, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When selecting a patient care training course, it’s important to be careful and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not 100% of them provide the necessary training and practical experience opportunities needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs fail to provide 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 finish the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when comparing a program is its recognized standing and adherence to industry guidelines. Accreditation is a quality assurance 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 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 zero experience.
To officially become certified, students must pass an exam from a recognized agency such as National Performance Specialists (NPS). NPS helps establish national standards, develops the certification exams, and maintains a registry of certified professionals.
Certification must be maintained every two years, and completing continuing education is a core 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 regulations, techniques, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the total and type of continuing education hours required, making it simple 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 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 attempt the national certification test for individuals with no experience in the field.
To get certified, a patient care technician must have their skills put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a patient care technician must maintain 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 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 maintain and advance their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that patient care technicians can choose to become certified with, but selecting the most recognized one can significantly impact your career.
Obtaining patient care technician certification not only demonstrates 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 enhance their knowledge, 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 standout 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 fully 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 explore whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials 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 sit for the certification exam, make use of a wide range of study resources to boost your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as thorough study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that closely align with the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of complete practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are invaluable for simulating the real test environment and identifying areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer unlimited practice exams, while others charge extra for practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are immediately inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your certification is provided 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 Cambridge, Massachusetts. Patient Care is an excellent entry point into the medical field, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified Patient Care Technicians are in strong demand across the healthcare industry due to the growth of healthcare services, a growing elderly population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand supports a positive employment outlook, making patient care a stable 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 vary depending on geography and experience. With increasing prospects and a fast-track training period, patient care is a smart 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 every two years. A Patient Care Technician should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the week their certification expires. This will allow the patient care technician sufficient time to complete their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register 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 credentials 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 a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific guidelines and deadlines to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CPCT Certification.
A Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) is a highly competent patient care technician with over 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 guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Cambridge, Massachusetts should tell their 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 prefer to speak 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.
