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. Wichita Falls, Texas is house 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 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 united with the program. In Wichita Falls, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When evaluating a patient care training school, it’s important to be thorough and informed. 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 do not offer clinical hours, which are required for gaining practical experience drawing blood in a real 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 recognized standing and adherence to professional standards. 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 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 confused. This document does not make you nationally certified. It simply confirms that you’ve finished training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with zero experience.
To officially become certified, students must pass an exam from a recognized agency such as National Performance Specialists (NPS). NPS helps define 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 up to date with the latest regulations, advancements, and guidelines. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the number 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 your 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 enormously common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your completion of a patient care training school and is required to sit for the national certification test for individuals possessing no experience in the field.
To officially get certified, a patient care technician must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a patient care technician must update their certification every 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 associations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help patient care technicians maintain and develop their skills.
There are a variety of certification agencies that patient care technicians can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can positively influence your career.
Obtaining patient care technician certification not only shows your expertise and commitment to professional excellence, but also opens doors to ongoing professional development. By regularly participating in continuing education and professional growth opportunities, patient care technicians can strengthen their expertise, expand their professional network, and position themselves for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers prefer certified candidates, making certification an valuable 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 fully online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare with flexibility and from the comfort 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 to sit for the credentialing exam, take advantage of a wide range of study resources to enhance your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as comprehensive study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that reflect 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 weaker areas, and regular use of simulated practice exams to simulate 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 invaluable for mirroring 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 stored 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 Wichita Falls, Texas. Patient Care is a solid entry 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, a rise in senior patients, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand helps ensure a strong job outlook, making patient care a stable 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 geography and experience. With growing opportunities and a relatively short training period, patient care is a smart 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 be required 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 certification expires. This will allow the patient care technician satisfactory time to attend their continuing education hours and take their renewal assessment. You will not have to go back 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 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 fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult 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 gifted 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 information provided by their curriculum. Every class in Wichita Falls, Texas should provide 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 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.
