Patient Care Technician Certification Gastonia, North Carolina

Patient Care Training

The first step to your career as a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) is to attend a training course. Gastonia, North Carolina​ is home to many state attributed 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 Gastonia​, the typical class will have 10-30 students.

Questions For Programs in Gastonia

When selecting a patient care training school, it’s important to be methodical and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not every one of them provide the critical training and practical experience opportunities needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs do not offer clinical hours, which are required for gaining real-world experience drawing blood in a real 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 important factors to consider when evaluating a program is its accreditation and adherence to professional standards. 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 accredited 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 confused. This document does not make you “certified”. It simply confirms that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with limited experience.

To officially become 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 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 up to date with the latest regulations, techniques, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide clear 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 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 course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a totally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a patient care training class and is required to take the national certification examination for individuals who’ve acquired 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 sit for the competency exam, take advantage of a variety of exam preparation materials to enhance your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as comprehensive 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 developing a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of full-length practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re fully prepared for exam day.

In addition, practice exams are extremely useful for replicating the real test environment and identifying 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 certification exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national 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.

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 Gastonia, North Carolina. The field of patient care is a great starting point into the medical workforce, 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 increased access to healthcare, an aging population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand helps ensure a positive employment 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 location and experience. With increasing prospects and a fast-track training period, patient care is a smart 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 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 credentials expires. This will allow the patient care technician acceptable time to attend their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not have 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 following 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 completing 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 guidelines and cutoff dates to restore your active status.

Click to learn more about Renewing You CPCT Certification.

Certified Patient Care Instructor In Gastonia, North Carolina​

A Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) is a highly gifted patient care technician with more 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 Gastonia, North Carolina should tell their students with the instructors background and credentials.