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 school. Hammond, Georgia is home to many state endorsed 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 outside of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute associated with the program. In Hammond, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When evaluating a patient care training program, it’s important to be thorough and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not each of them provide the essential training and hands-on components needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs fail to provide clinical hours, which are critical for gaining hands-on experience drawing blood in a clinical 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 important factors to consider when researching a program is its accreditation and adherence to quality benchmarks. 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 proper education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare quality expectations.
After finishing a patient care training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often confused. This document does not make you a certified patient care technician. It simply confirms that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero experience.
To 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 updated 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 in compliance with the latest industry standards, procedures, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide clear 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 course, you will have a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a entirely common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your completion of a patient care training program and is required to register for the national certification examination for individuals possessing 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 renew their certification each 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 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 refine their skills.
There are many certification agencies that patient care technicians can choose to become certified with, but selecting the best one can make a big difference in your career.
Pursuing patient care technician certification not only demonstrates your competency and commitment to quality care, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, patient care technicians can enhance their knowledge, expand their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a competitive applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a full study guide, endless 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 at your own pace and from the comfort of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides included study tools 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 take the credentialing exam, make use of a variety of exam preparation materials to maximize your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as thorough 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 following a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of full-length practice exams to mirror 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 pinpointing 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 immediately inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your credentials is made available in your account. Your digital copy, paired 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 begin your medical career in Hammond, Georgia. Training in patient care is a solid entry point into the medical industry, 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 more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand supports a steady job market, making patient care a stable and appealing 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 brief training period, patient care is a great way to begin a fulfilling 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 start the process at least 30 days prior to the day their credentials expires. This will permit the patient care technician sufficient time to attend their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not need 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 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 lapses, many certifying agencies offer a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves finishing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to check with your certifying body for specific steps 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 teach for or own their own school. They’re needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Hammond, Georgia should tell their students with 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 talk 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.
