Certified Patient Care Technician (non-credit)
Job Description
Certified Nurse Aides and Certified Patient Care Technician Assistants work in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities providing patient care under the supervision of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Certified Nurse Aides provide patients’ personal hygiene, assist with serving meals, feeding patients, transporting patients, checking vital signs and weight, and recording intake and output information. Patient Care Technicians are multi-skilled individuals with diverse job duties which include taking vital signs, ECG recording, venipuncture for specimen collection, wound care, and medical documentation.
Employment Outlook
Earning potential for a CNA with a CPCT/A is $29,640 per the U.S. DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics. Projected job growth in the field is 17% from 2014-2024. Those with dual certifications often have greater earning potential.
Program Description
The CNA & CPCT/A program prepares students to provide critical day-to-day patient care in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes or long-term care facilities while following infection control procedures and safety guidelines.
The CNA & CPCT/A is a 190 hour program that awards a dual certification in Certified Nurse Aide and Patient Care Technician. In MODULE I, participants first learn the responsibilities of the CNA and prepare for the State of Connecticut licensure.
MODULE I Learning Objectives:
- Utilize methods to prevent patient falls in the health care environment.
- Recognize and discuss physical and psychological changes that occur with aging.
- Assist with patient meals including serving meals and assisting with feeding.
- Calculate and record fluid intake and output.
- Obtain and record accurate vital signs.
- Practice proper body mechanics when moving and transferring patients.
- Provide care that prevents development of pressure ulcers.
- Provide hygiene and grooming for the patient.
- Assist with oxygen administration.
- Make open and closed beds.
- Assist with bladder and bowel elimination.
- Collect specimens for diagnostic and lab testing.
- Provide end of life care as dictated by care plan.
- Assist with restorative care.
- Safely care for patients with confusion, dementia, mental health problems and physical limitations.
Admission Requirements
Students must be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED to enroll in this course. Candidates will need to hold a current CNA (Certified Nurse Aide) certification, no more than three years old, in order to enroll. Basic Life Support Certification is required to receive a CPCT/A certificate and must be completed, unless proof of prior certification is provided.
Students participating in this program must be able to:
- Lift supplies, bend or stoop, kneel or stand for extended period of times.
- Pull or push equipment, tables or chairs for patients.
- Read small print on vacutainers, needles and similar supplies.
- Assess patient condition, and monitor patient safety and comfort.
- Perform capillary punctures effectively, properly apply labels to specimens, and palpate veins for venipuncture.
- Communicate effectively with patients and healthcare providers.
Participants are expected to wear scrubs to class as well as bring a stethoscope and a blood pressure cuff to class.
Participants must complete the following to achieve a CPCT/A certificate:
- CPCT/A Course
- Basic Life Support Certification (or proof of prior certification)
- Essential Job Skills and Career Development course
Please be advised that if you have been convicted of a felony, you may not be eligible for clinical experiences, internships, externships or certifications associated with certain Allied Health courses or programs. Those with previous convictions may also find it difficult to secure employment within a healthcare setting.
This program is CT SNAP approved.
Time Commitment
This 5-month program includes the 100 hour CNA course, the 90 hour CPCT/A course, a 4.5 hour Basic Life Support certification course, and a 14 hour Essential Job Skills and Career Development Course.
Employment Outlook
Earning potential for a CPCT/A is $29,640 per the U.S. DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those with dual certifications often have greater earning potential.
$29,640
Amount you'll earn*
*Bureau of Labor Statistics
Program Coordinator
Sue Champagne
860-253-3028
schampagne@asnuntuck.edu
