Patient Care Technician Certification Chesapeake, Virginia

Patient Care Training

The first step to your career as a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) is to choose a training course. Chesapeake, Virginia​ 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 joined with the program. In Chesapeake​, the typical class will have 10-30 students.

Questions For Programs in Chesapeake

When selecting a patient care training course, it’s important to be methodical and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all of them provide the necessary training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs fail to provide clinical hours, which are vital for gaining hands-on experience drawing blood in a real lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the eligibility 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 approval status and adherence to quality benchmarks. Program accreditation is an official endorsement granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In patient care, attending an approved training program ensures that you receive appropriate education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare best practices.

After graduating from a patient care training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misinterpreted. This document does not make you a certified patient care technician. It simply verifies 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 define 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 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 compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the total and type of continuing education hours required, making it easy for professionals to maintain their credentials.

Ask the following questions:

1. Is the patient care training program approved by the state?
2. How many hours is the patient care training program?
3. Where are the clinical hours of the program completed?
4. Does the patient care training program include the certification exam?
5. What agency do students take the exam with?

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.

The general requirements to attend a patient care training class include the following:

• High school diploma or GED (official transcript or diploma copy)
• Recent physical exam (within 12 months) documenting fitness for clinical duties
• Up-to-date immunizations
• Annual flu vaccine (if in season)
• Two-step PPD skin test or Quantiferon TB Gold within the past year
• Current BLS for Healthcare Providers or Red Cross equivalent – some training courses may provide this.

Upon your 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 unconditionally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your completion of a patient care training class and is required to take the national certification test for individuals possessing no experience in the field.

The prerequisites to take the certification exam with most agencies include the following:

• Completion of a patient care technician program or 1 year of on the job experience in the past 3 years
• 10 successful capillary sticks
• 30 successful venipunctures
• 10 live EKG administrations

Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT).

Preparing to take the Certification Exam

Once you have registered to take the credentialing exam, utilize a broad selection of study resources to boost your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing 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 complete practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.

In addition, mock exams are extremely useful for mirroring the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer endless practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.

After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are quickly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials is stored in your account. Your digital copy, side by side your NPS transcripts, should be downloaded and printed for use as proof of certification.

Starting Your Medical Career in Patient Care

Now that you’re a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT), you’re ready to start your medical career in Chesapeake, Virginia. Training in patient care is a solid gateway into the medical workforce, 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 expanded healthcare services, an aging population, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand helps ensure a steady job market, making patient care a stable and appealing 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 fluctuate depending on region and experience. With increasing prospects and a brief training period, patient care is a efficient way to begin a rewarding healthcare career.

Patient Care job duties include:

• Obtaining and recording vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature)
• Assisting patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, and feeding
• Collecting and processing clinical specimens (e.g., venipuncture for blood draws, urine collections)
• Performing basic diagnostic procedures like electrocardiograms (EKGs) and point-of-care glucose testing
• Operating and maintaining patient care equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, stretchers, monitoring devices)
• Providing wound care support under nurse supervision, including dressing changes and monitoring for signs of infection
• Assisting with patient mobility and transfers, including ambulation, lifting, and range-of-motion exercises
• Accurately documenting patient observations and interventions in the medical record and reporting any changes to the nursing staff
• Responding to patient call lights and providing timely comfort measures (e.g., repositioning, bed linens, water)
• Maintaining a clean, safe environment through basic infection-control practices and restocking supplies

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.

Renewing Your Certification

Certified Patient Care Technicians will be required 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 credentials expires. This will permit the patient care technician satisfactory time to complete their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not have 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 credentials for the new two year period 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 fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, submitting a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm with your certifying body for specific steps and timeframes to restore your active status.

Click to learn more about Renewing You CPCT Certification.

Certified Patient Care Instructor In Chesapeake, Virginia​

A Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) is a highly talented patient care technician with greater 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 guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Chesapeake, Virginia should tell their students details about the instructors background and credentials.