Patient Care Technician
Collaborate with Healthcare Professionals in a Vital Patient Support Role
Program Overview
Are you interested in a hands-on role in the healthcare field? College of Western Idaho (CWI), in partnership with CareerStep, provide you an excellent start with the Patient Care Technician program. This online, self-paced program will introduce you to the vital role patient care technicians play in the healthcare system.
You will learn under the supervision of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to gain practical skills in patient care, from basic medical procedures to critical bedside care. This program focuses on equipping you with the knowledge and abilities to support patients effectively, ensuring their comfort and well-being. You will emerge from this program not just with skills, but with the compassion and understanding essential for a career in patient care.
Learning Opportunities
- Basic Medical Procedures: Learn fundamental medical procedures essential for patient care.
- Bedside Care Skills: Acquire skills in providing compassionate bedside care, enhancing patient comfort.
- Healthcare Team Collaboration: Understand the importance of collaborating with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
- Patient Monitoring & Assistance: Gain experience in monitoring patients and assisting in daily healthcare routines.
- Certification Preparation: Prepare for certifications that enhance your professional qualifications and employability.
- National certification exams: Earn the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), NCPCT (Patient Care Technician) from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), or the American Medical Certification Association's Patient Care Technician certification.
Area of Study
Minimum age requirement to start this program is 18.
Degrees & Certificates
Certificate of Completion
Cost: $3,799
Career Opportunities
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
344
Annual Openings*
$11.47
Hourly Median Wage*
$23,858
Annual Median Salary
18.68%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Nursing Assistants
Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants. Excludes “Home Health Aides” (31-1121), “Personal Care Aides” (31-1122), “Orderlies” (31-1132), and “Psychiatric Aides” (31-1133).
146
Annual Openings*
$14.15
Hourly Median Wage*
$29,432
Annual Median Salary
14.65%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
Orderlies
Transport patients to areas such as operating rooms or x-ray rooms using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. May maintain stocks of supplies or clean and transport equipment. Excludes “Nursing Assistants” (31-1131). Psychiatric orderlies are included in “Psychiatric Aides” (31-1133).
6
Annual Openings*
$13.87
Hourly Median Wage*
$28,850
Annual Median Salary
7.94%
Growth (2021 – 2031)*
*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data.
Registration
STEP 1
- Review online training details including:
- a program overview and outline
- cost and payment options
- career information
- and more.
STEP 2
- Complete registration and payment through CareerStep.
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