Patient Care Technician

PCT

CNA + phlebotomy + EKG, stacked into one role.

The Patient Care Technician roadmap combines nurse-aide care, phlebotomy, and EKG. A future edition would need an approved curriculum and a supervised externship record spanning those distinct competencies.

At a glance

Credential: NHA CPCT/A (Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant)
Exam: NHA CPCT/A exam (120 items)
Regulator: National (NHA) · CNA sub-component state-regulated
Hours: 120–600+ hrs (embeds CNA) · ~80–160 hr externship · Stacked CNA + phlebotomy + EKG

Competency model

Stacked modules + externship ledger

Above CNA (stacked skills)

median annual wage

Tracks hospital & dialysis demand

projected growth

National

certification

Why the demand: Hospitals and dialysis centers that want one cross-trained tech instead of three single-skill hires. — Maps to BLS Nursing Assistants / Orderlies, May 2024.

The program

What students master.

Explore the planned competencies for this credential.

Nurse-aide foundation

Full CNA skill set
Vital signs & ADLs
Patient safety & mobility
Documentation

Phlebotomy & EKG

Venipuncture & skin puncture
12-lead EKG placement
Specimen handling
Live-procedure counts

Externship

80–160 supervised hours
Preceptor sign-off
Multi-skill competency tracking
Job-ready portfolio

On the platform

How PCT fits the roadmap.

Planned capabilities will be tailored to this program’s training and reporting requirements.

1
Three-part curriculum
A PCT edition would join separately approved CNA, phlebotomy, and EKG requirements under one reviewed externship plan.
2
Mixed competency evidence
Clinical hours, venipuncture counts, and EKG counts would need distinct evaluator-attested records and eligibility checks.
3
Reviewed progression
CNA graduates could enter a PCT pathway after current eligibility, consent, and prerequisite checks; prior credit would never transfer automatically.

The competitive edge

The highest-value upsell in the catalog — turn a CNA grad into a cross-trained hospital tech without leaving your brand.

Planned next

Planned next after the phlebotomy and EKG roadmap modules.

Enrollment

Program prerequisites.

These credential prerequisites inform the planned enrollment experience for this program.

Age 18+

HS diploma / GED

Often concurrent or prior CNA

Immunizations, background check, BLS/CPR

Certified Nurse Aide

The credential the platform was built around.

Planned next

Certified Medication Aide

The natural next step after CNA — same regulator, same rhythm.

Planned next

Home Health Aide

Federally structured almost exactly like CNA.

Plan the Patient Care Technician roadmap with us.

Book a 30-minute call. We'll show you exactly how PCT maps onto the platform — and where it sits on the build sequence.

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