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. Worcester, Massachusetts is house 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 of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute allied with the program. In Worcester, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When choosing a patient care training school, it’s important to be thorough and knowledgeable. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not every one of them provide the essential training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs fail to provide clinical hours, which are required for gaining hands-on experience drawing blood in a clinical lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the minimum requirements for national certification — even if you graduate from the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when researching a program is its accreditation and adherence to professional standards. Accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of instruction, 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 proves 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 set 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 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 professional practices, procedures, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide well-defined 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 gainful completion of a patient care training program, you will have a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you ‘Certified’. This is a unconditionally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of your successful completion of a patient care training course and is required to register for the national certification examination for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To get certified, a patient care technician must have their skills put to the test by a third-party authorizing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a patient care technician must renew 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 focus on 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 advance 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 make a big difference in your career.
Obtaining patient care technician certification not only demonstrates your skills and commitment to professional excellence, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, patient care technicians can strengthen their capabilities, 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 competitive 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 at your own pace and from the ease of home. Be sure to check whether your certifying agency provides free resources or if there are separate charges for advanced resources.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT).
Once you have registered to take the certification exam, utilize a broad selection of prep tools to boost your readiness. Many certification agencies offer resources such as thorough study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When choosing prep tools, look for materials that match the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates regular studying, targeted practice in trouble spots, and regular use of simulated practice exams to mirror 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 invaluable for simulating the real test environment and identifying 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 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 Worcester, Massachusetts. The field of patient care is a great gateway into the medical industry, 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 the growth of healthcare services, a growing elderly population, and increased diagnostic testing. This rising demand helps ensure a steady job market, making patient care a stable 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 vary depending on location and experience. With expanding job openings and a brief 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 every 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 satisfactory time to attend their continuing education hours and submit 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 new two year 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 a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves fulfilling any outstanding continuing education requirements, filing a renewal application, and paying a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific guidelines and timeframes 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 needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the instruction provided by their curriculum. Every class in Worcester, Massachusetts should provide 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 complete the entire process online. If you would prefer 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.
