Patient Care Technician Certification North Bethesda, Maryland

Patient Care Training

The first step to your career as a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) is to choose a training program. North Bethesda, 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 separate of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute allied with the program. In North Bethesda​, the typical class will have 10-30 students.

Questions For Programs in North Bethesda

When evaluating a patient care training course, it’s important to be methodical and informed. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not each of them provide the essential training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs lack clinical hours, which are vital for gaining hands-on experience drawing blood in a professional lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the minimum requirements for national certification — even if you finish the course.

One of the most important factors to consider when researching a program is its approval status and adherence to industry guidelines. Program 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 recognized training program ensures that you receive comprehensive 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 “certified”. It simply proves that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior 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 renewed 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 regulations, techniques, and regulations. Most certifying agencies provide clear guidelines on the amount and type of continuing education hours required, making it straightforward 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 successful completion of a patient care training school, you will get 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 successful completion of a patient care training class and is required to sit for the national certification test for individuals who have 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 for the certification exam, take advantage of a variety of exam preparation materials 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 match the exam’s content outline and focus on both core concepts and practical skills.

Consider following a study schedule that incorporates daily review, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of simulated practice exams to replicate the real test environment. This approach will help boost your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.

In addition, mock exams are extremely useful for simulating the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer endless practice exams, while others charge extra 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 credentials is downloadable 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 begin your medical career in North Bethesda, Maryland. The field of patient care is a solid gateway into the medical workforce, 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 the growth of healthcare services, a rise in senior patients, and more frequent diagnostic tests. This rising demand helps ensure 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 expanding job openings and a relatively short training period, patient care is a smart way to begin a fulfilling 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 after two years. A Patient Care Technician should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the day their certification expires. This will allow the patient care technician sufficient time to complete their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not have to go register 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 lapses, many certifying agencies offer a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific steps and timeframes to restore your active status.

Click to learn more about Renewing You CPCT Certification.

Certified Patient Care Instructor In North Bethesda, Maryland​

A Certified Patient Care Technician Instructor (CPCTI) is a highly adept patient care technician with greater than 5 years of experience in the field. Patient Care Technician Instructors can work 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 North Bethesda, Maryland should provide students details about the instructors background and credentials.