What does a Patient Care Technician do?
Patient care technicians work closely with nurses and health care staff to ensure patients are healthy and comfortable. Patient care technicians, PCTs for short, can also be referred to as nursing assistants and help with basics such as changing sheets or helping patients to the restroom.
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Working as a Patient Care Technician
Nursing assistants, or orderlies, help with a patient's daily activities. They will work along with and are overseen by nurses to perform the following:
- Cleaning and bathing patients as well as changing their bed linens
- Helping patients dress and take meals
- Helping patients move from bed to chair and assisting with any exercises
- Listening to patient health concerns and providing emotional support to patients
- Monitoring vitals such as blood sugar and blood pressure
How much does a Patient Care Technician make in the United States?
Average base salary
The average salary for a patient care technician is $19.50 per hour in the United States. 8k salaries reported, updated at January 27, 2023
Where can a Patient Care Technician earn more?
Compare salaries for Patient Care Technicians in different locations
How much do similar professions get paid in United States?
Nursing Assistant
176,559 job openingsAverage $19.83 per hour
Patient Assistant
163,965 job openingsAverage $15.74 per hour
Personal Care Assistant
24,622 job openingsAverage $13.66 per hour
Nurse Technician
47,051 job openingsAverage $18.77 per hour
Registered Nurse - Medical/Surgical
460,587 job openingsAverage $2,548 per week
Home Health Aide
49,523 job openingsAverage $15.39 per hour
Common questions about for a Patient Care Technician
How many questions are on the patient care technician (PCT) exam?
The patient care technician (PCT) exam consists of 100 questions plus 20 pretest questions. One hour and 50 minutes are allowed to complete the exam.
What is the difference between a patient care technician and a certified nursing assistant (CNA)?
Patient care technicians perform the same tasks as certified nursing assistants but can also be qualified to perform other responsibilities such as electrocardiogram readings and drawing blood. Because of this, patient care technicians typically earn more than certified nursing assistants.
What is desirable about a patient care technician career?
Many patient care technicians find enjoyment in caring for patients. Healthcare is very social and it affords the opportunity to build lasting bonds with co-workers and patients alike. It is also an environment that is fast-paced with little down-time.
