Patient Care Technician Certification Fort Collins, Colorado

Patient Care Training

The first step to your career as a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) is to complete a training program. Fort Collins, Colorado​ is home to many state recognized patient care training programs that will prepare students for a patient care technician career. A patient care training program is generally about 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours that will take place outside of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute united with the program. In Fort Collins​, the typical class will have 10-30 students.

Questions For Programs in Fort Collins

When selecting a patient care training course, it’s important to be methodical and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not 100% of them provide the essential training and hands-on components needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs do not offer clinical hours, which are critical for gaining real-world experience drawing blood in a clinical lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the minimum requirements for national certification — even if you graduate from the course.

One of the most essential factors to consider when comparing a program is its accreditation and adherence to quality benchmarks. 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 comprehensive education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare industry standards.

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 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 establish 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 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 current with the latest industry standards, techniques, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the amount and type of continuing education hours required, making it simple 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 school 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 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 completion of a patient care training school and is required to attempt the national certification test for individuals who have 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 for the credentialing exam, take advantage of a variety of prep tools to maximize 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 closely align with the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Consider following a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of full-length practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help increase your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.

In addition, mock exams are invaluable for replicating the real test environment and spotting 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 quickly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials 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.

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 Fort Collins, Colorado. Patient Care is a solid entry point into the medical workforce, 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 rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand contributes to a steady job market, making patient care a reliable and appealing career choice.

Patient Care Technicians typically are scheduled for a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $38,000, though wages can differ depending on geography and experience. With growing opportunities and a brief training period, patient care is a smart way to begin a meaningful 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 week their credentials expires. This will permit the patient care technician ample time to attend their continuing education hours and submit their renewal assessment. You will not have to go register to a training program or attend a class to renew your certification.

The renewal process can be completed entirely 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 expires, many certifying agencies offer reinstatement options. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and processing a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific guidelines and cutoff dates to restore your active status.

Click to learn more about Renewing You CPCT Certification.

Certified Patient Care Instructor In Fort Collins, Colorado​

A Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) is a highly talented patient care technician with over 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 Fort Collins, Colorado should provide students with the instructors background and credentials.