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 course. Frederick, Maryland is home to many state qualified 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 after completion of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute united with the program. In Frederick, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When selecting a patient care training program, it’s important to be careful and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not 100% of them provide the critical training and hands-on components needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs fail to provide clinical hours, which are fundamental for gaining hands-on experience drawing blood in a professional 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 important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its approval status and adherence to professional standards. 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 recognized training program ensures that you receive proper education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare best practices.
After completing a patient care training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often misinterpreted. This document does not make you “certified”. It simply verifies that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior experience.
To officially become 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 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 current with the latest professional practices, procedures, 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.
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 successful completion of a patient care training school, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a completely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a patient care training course and is required to attempt the national certification examination for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To become certified, a patient care technician must have their skills put to the test by a third-party authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a patient care technician must maintain their certification once every 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 organizations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help patient care technicians maintain 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.
Earning patient care technician certification not only demonstrates your expertise and commitment to quality care, but also opens doors to 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 valuable 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, endless practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed 100% online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare on your schedule and from the convenience of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides free resources or if there are extra fees for upgraded content.
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 broad selection of prep tools to enhance your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When evaluating prep tools, look for materials that closely align with the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of complete practice exams to mirror 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 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 require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the certification exam, your credentials are quickly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your certification is available in your account. Your digital copy, along with 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 start your medical career in Frederick, Maryland. Patient Care is an excellent gateway into the medical industry, 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, a rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand contributes to a strong job outlook, making patient care a secure 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 geography and experience. With increasing prospects and a brief training period, patient care is a great 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 be required to renew their CPCT Certification after two years. A Patient Care Technician should start the process at least 30 days prior to the week their credentials expires. This will allow the patient care technician sufficient time to review their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register 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 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 finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific steps and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
Click to learn more about Renewing You CPCT Certification.
A Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) is a highly skilled patient care technician with greater than 5 years of experience in the field. Patient Care Technician Instructors can instruct for or own their own school. They’re needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Frederick, Maryland 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 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.
