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. New Haven, Connecticut is house to many state approved patient care training programs that will prepare students for a patient care technician career. A patient care training program is generally a total of 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 associated with the program. In New Haven, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing a patient care training course, it’s important to be methodical and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not each of them provide the critical training and hands-on components needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs lack clinical hours, which are fundamental for gaining practical 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 researching a program is its accreditation and adherence to industry guidelines. Accreditation is a quality assurance granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In patient care, attending an approved training program ensures that you receive proper 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 misunderstood. 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 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 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 professional practices, procedures, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined guidelines on the amount and type of continuing education hours required, making it easy 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 course, you will have 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 program and is required to take the national certification test for individuals who’ve acquired no experience in the field.
To become certified, a patient care technician must have their competency put to the test by a third-party certification agency, like NPS. Once certified, a patient care technician must maintain their certification 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 expand 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.
Earning patient care technician certification not only proves your skills and commitment to high standards, but also creates opportunities for ongoing professional development. By regularly engaging in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, patient care technicians can enhance their expertise, build their professional network, and prepare themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a standout applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes an all-inclusive study guide, repeated 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 with flexibility and from the ease of home. Be sure to verify whether your certifying agency provides free resources or if there are additional costs for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT).
Once you have registered for the credentialing exam, utilize a broad selection of prep tools to enhance your readiness. Many credentialing agencies offer resources such as detailed 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 following a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of complete practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re well prepared for exam day.
In addition, sample tests are extremely useful for simulating the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others require payment for practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are immediately inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your official certification is made 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 New Haven, Connecticut. Patient Care is a solid entry point into the medical field, 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 steady job market, making patient care a reliable and attractive 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 fluctuate depending on geography and experience. With growing opportunities and a relatively short training period, patient care is a great way to begin a rewarding 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 begin the process at least 30 days prior to the day 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 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 certification 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 reinstatement options. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to confirm with your certifying body for specific procedures 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 instruct for or own their own school. They’re responsible for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in New Haven, Connecticut 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 request to speak 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.
