Ever wonder what it would be like to work as a patient care technician?
A typical day for a patient care technician varies depending on the setting in which they work and whether they are employed full-time or part-time.
Some patient care technician jobs are performed in outpatient settings where patients are treated for short periods. Other positions involve working in a hospital setting where patients may require long-term care or treatment that consists of being admitted for several days or weeks.
As you can see, becoming a PCT guarantees a dynamic and exciting career path. Although duties and work settings may differ, there are some general expectations of all patient care technicians.
Duties vary by position and setting. Common job responsibilities include:
- Assist patients with daily activities such as dressing and bathing them
- Check on patients throughout their stay to ensure that they are comfortable and not experiencing any problems with their needs being met
- Monitor patients’ physical conditions by assessing symptoms such as pain levels or abnormal lab results
- Monitor vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure levels through various procedures, including taking pulses or measuring oxygen saturation levels through pulse oximetry readings (SpO2) using pulse oximeters
- Collecting patient information and data, including vital signs, weight, height, blood pressure, and temperature
- Monitoring the condition of patients and responding to their needs throughout the day
- Performing administrative duties such as tracking patient records and entering data into an electronic database
What Roles Are Typical For Patient Care Technicians?
A typical day in the life of a patient care tech can vary from one facility to the next. The following are some of the most common positions:
Patient service representative – Patient service representatives assist patients with scheduling appointments and answering questions about medical procedures. They also answer phones and greet patients as they arrive at their appointments.
Medical assistant – Medical assistants perform a variety of clinical duties under the supervision of medical professionals, including taking vital signs, administering medications, collecting specimens, and performing routine laboratory tests.
Phlebotomist – Phlebotomists draw blood from patients for diagnostic purposes. They also prepare patients for blood draws by applying tourniquets or probes and instructing them to hold their arms still while the sample is taken.
Liaison – Liaisons coordinate care between different departments within a facility and communicate information between physicians, nurses, technicians, and other healthcare team members.
Dialysis Patient Care Technician – Healthcare professional who provides direct patient care to patients and families in the dialysis center. The PCA is responsible for assisting with patients’ treatment and acts as a liaison between the patient and the nursing staff.
So What Does a Day In the Life of a Patient Care Technician Look Like?
A typical day for a patient care assistant can be quite varied. The patient care technician works with the patient and the doctor, but they also have to ensure that the workplace is clean, safe, and efficient. It’s essential that they can do this because their job is to ensure that their patients are well cared for and comfortable while they’re receiving medical treatment.
Typically, you’ll find many different patient care technicians in any hospital. Some people work specifically with children, others work with adults and some work with both groups.
Some patient care technicians may be responsible for ensuring they have all their supplies ready before they start their shift so that they can begin working immediately after arriving at their location. Others may need to spend some time cleaning up after another employee or helping out another department within the hospital or clinic. This will depend on the position you get hired for and how much experience you have before applying.
Global Medical and Technical Training Institute
GMTTI has a complete Patient Care Technician Program in Miami, Florida. Within a short period, you can put your skills to work!
We are committed to helping you become a patient care technician. We will give you the training, tools, and support you need to succeed. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to your success.
The PCT program is 900 clock hours over 36 weeks with 165 externship hours. Courses include Structure and Function of the Body, Nursing Assistant Procedures, Principles of ECG and Radiography, Principles of Phlebotomy, Principles of Hemodialysis, and the externship.
Contact us today to get started on your journey towards your new career!