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 choose a training school. Mott Haven, New York 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 about 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours that will take place separate of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute united with the program. In Mott Haven, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing a patient care training course, it’s important to be careful and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not each of them provide the critical training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs fail to provide clinical hours, which are critical for gaining real-world experience drawing blood in a professional lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the minimum requirements for national certification — even if you complete the course.
One of the most crucial factors to consider when researching 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 education, 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 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 proves that you’ve completed 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 establish 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 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, advancements, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined 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 your successful completion of a patient care training program, you will get a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a enormously common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a patient care training program and is required to take the national certification exam for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To officially get certified, a patient care technician must have their competency put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a patient care technician must renew their certification once every two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can take many forms, such as on-the-job workshops, online courses, webinars, or specialized training modules. These programs often cover the latest best practices, safety protocols, and technological advancements in patient care. Many professional associations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help patient care technicians maintain and develop their skills.
There are many certification agencies that patient care technicians can choose to become certified with, but selecting the most recognized one can positively influence your career.
Earning patient care technician certification not only proves your expertise and commitment to quality care, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, patient care technicians can sharpen their knowledge, expand their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers look for certified candidates, making certification an important step toward becoming a standout applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a comprehensive study guide, repeated practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed entirely online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare with flexibility and from the convenience of home. Be sure to check 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 for the certification exam, make use of a wide range of exam preparation materials to boost your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as comprehensive study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When evaluating prep tools, look for materials that reflect the exam’s content outline and focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Consider creating a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in weaker areas, 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 well prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are invaluable for mirroring the real test environment and identifying 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 immediately inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification 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 start your medical career in Mott Haven, New York. Training in patient care is an excellent starting point 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 increased access to healthcare, a rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand supports a positive employment outlook, making patient care a reliable and worthwhile 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 expanding job openings and a fast-track training period, patient care is a efficient 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 after two years. A Patient Care Technician should start the process at least 30 days prior to the week their certification expires. This will allow the patient care technician plenty time to review their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not need to go back to a training program 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 certification for the next two year time 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, filing a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific guidelines 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 gifted 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 responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Mott Haven, New York should tell their 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 undergo the entire process online. If you would like to talk with someone regarding 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.
