The role of a patient care technician is crucial yet rewarding, making this career option popular amongst new generations who wish to have a rewarding job. This job involves interacting with several people daily and improving their lives, which is satisfying as you are a reason for someone’s betterment.
Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment rate for nursing assistants, orderlies, including patient care technicians is expected to increase by 8% by 2030, outpacing the average growth rate for all occupations.
Post-COVID, people have developed immense respect for those working in the healthcare sector, and hence, there are endless opportunities if you have opted for patient care technician training.
However, you also need to be aware of your prospects once your training is over and understand if this option would help you achieve your personal and professional goals in the future.
We will discuss the job outlook of a patient care technician and the career paths you can choose to lead a better life.
Role of a Patient Care Technician
The key responsibilities of a patient care technician are to assist doctors, medical staff and nurses by managing patient’s physical and mental health. PCTs operate in hospitals, clinics and outpatient establishments. Hence, the job outlook for a patient care technician has vast growth possibilities. Here are some functions that a PCT is expected to fulfil in his daily routine:
- Checking and recording patient’s vital signs for better monitoring
- Assisting patients through tests and diagnostics processes
- Monitoring the diet and medication
- Collecting specimens for various lab tests as prescribed by the doctor
- Rendering primary care and making daily activities easy for the patient
Thus, a PCT interacts directly with the patient and is involved with the patient, which usually blossoms into a strong relationship. So, if you treasure working with unwell individuals and improving their quality of life, the PCT is the right profession for you. However, remember that this position comes with obligations, so you must be willing to take on new challenges.
Skills For Being A Patient Care Technician
Before we dive into the career paths you can opt for after PCT training, let’s understand the skills required for a patient care technician. There are several positions for a PCT, and with the current trends, there will be more openings for people who have completed the course.
- Attentiveness
- Technologically sound
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Bonding with patient
- Documentation
A PCT needs to be attentive and keep a check on the patient’s condition and needs. This is possible only when you are alert and ready for a job that always demands you to be on your toes. If you are proactive, you can act in time and save someone’s life with the least effort.
In this era when technology plays a vital role in healthcare domain, a PCT needs sound knowledge of appropriate software used in daily operations. Also, using new-age machines to support the patient’s recovery is essential, and hence, you should be open to learning more about evolving technology.
As a PCT, you are expected to act quickly and render timely solutions in case of emergency. Thus, the problem-solving attribute of a calm mind is critical.
Communication is an imperative skill for a PCT. You need to monitor and convey the correct information to nurses and doctors, enabling them to properly analyze the patient’s condition and decide the treatment.
A person suffering from an ailment always seeks emotional and physical support from people around him, and an efficient PCT fits into this role perfectly. Spending time with patients and building a strong bond is an inseparable duty of this job profile, as a comfortable and happy patient recovers quickly.
The patient care technician must record every observation, so the person needs to be efficient in recording and documenting.
Career Paths for Patient Care Technicians
As we highlighted earlier, PCTs can explore many opportunities according to the profile they wish to work in. Below are some specialized roles that you can choose from once your training program is complete:
- A regular PCT in a hospital is one of the most common work profiles. In this profile, you work in shifts and cater to specific cases assigned to you by the healthcare specialist. Here, you must assist in wound care, monitor vital signs, and help with catheters or gastric tubes per the patient’s condition.
- Another typical role is telemetry, where you will work on waveforms and electrocardiogram reports of the patient. If you observe any abnormal fluctuation in these reports, you must immediately connect with the concerned nurses and doctors.
- A PCT’s services are significant in an emergency room, where you must be calm yet quick with the right actions. This profile puts tremendous pressure on you and helps you improve yourself with each case as you learn new things every time.
- A PCT also conducts dialysis, where you must sanitize and handle equipment and monitor the dialysis process to analyze the patient’s condition and response to treatment.
- Taking specimens for testing is a part of the PCT profile, where the main jobs are drawing blood, collecting other samples, labelling them, and providing them to the diagnostic lab.
Related Article:- Benefits Of Pursuing A Career In Patient Care Technician
The Job Outlook of a Patient Care Technician
The job outlook of a PCT is promising and is expected to expand as people of all age groups need medical assistance at some point in their lives. Thus, if you are firm in pursuing PCT as a career, go ahead and be a part of the healthcare industry, which is undoubtedly a crucial industry worldwide. Here are some promising aspects that make patient care technician career paths enticing:
- When you complete the patient care technician training program from a reputed organization, you can choose from diverse job opportunities in this sector. PCTs are required in various healthcare setups, like hospitals, rehabilitation centres, patient care at home, nursing homes, etc. You get to decide the scale at which you wish to work.
- PCT is not the end of the road, and you can explore several job profiles in the future by upgrading your skills by enrolling in training programs. With certifications, you can be a Registered Nurse in the future, which opens doors to advanced healthcare profiles.
- As you upgrade yourself and perform your duties well, you can expect a salary raise. The healthcare industry is flourishing, and professionals are offered competitive wages based on their competence.
Related Article:- A Day in the Life of a Patient Care Technician
Conclusion
The role of a Patient Care Technician (PCT) stands as a beacon of hope and care in the healthcare industry. With a projected employment growth rate that eclipses the average for all occupations, PCTs are poised to become even more integral to our healthcare system. The post-COVID era has shone a light on the invaluable contributions of healthcare workers, opening a plethora of opportunities for those with PCT training.
Whether it’s the direct impact on patient lives, the diverse career paths available, or the potential for professional advancement and competitive compensation, a career as a PCT offers a fulfilling journey.
If you have chosen PCT as your career, check out the specialized training programs AIHT Education offers. The premier institute has designed the best-in-class course that facilitates strong career growth. Reach out to us today and advance to the promising future.
FAQs
1) What are the pros and cons of being a patient care technician?
The role of a PCT is crucial and helps professionals explore new avenues, as there are several career paths to choose from. The only con associated with this profile is that one must always be alert and on one’s toes, which can be exhaustive.
2) What’s the job outlook for a patient care technician?
With knowledge and experience, one can expect new opportunities. Given the scenario, the demand for professionals is expected to grow in different healthcare setups, so there is a long way to go, and good salaries are being offered to competent candidates.
3) How to become a patient care technician?
One needs to pursue the PCT training program from a reputed institute and, upon completion, join a healthcare setup according to one’s desired profile. There are several positions where a PCT can work, so there is abundant career choice.
4) What is a patient care technician?
A PCT is a healthcare expert who monitors the patient’s vitals, helps with daily activities, collects samples for testing, and documents progress, which can be further shared with nurses and doctors.
5) Are PCTs in demand?
As the healthcare sector grows, the demand for PCTs who operate directly with patients is increasing and is predicted to continue, making PCT an enticing career option.
6) What is the career path of a PCT?
A PCT can work in hospitals for regular patient monitoring, opt for specializations like telemetry (electrocardiography), IV therapies, dialysis, or work in emergency rooms, which means there are several prospects in this field.
7) What is the highest pay for a patient care technician?
According to statistics rendered by the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the median salary of a PCT is around $38,200 annually, and it may be higher for professionals who have the expertise and have upgraded their credentials by opting for specialized training programs.
8) What is the primary role of PCT?
The primary role of the PCT is to interact with the patient directly, oblige him in daily activities, collect his specimens, and monitor his vitals regularly, which need to be conveyed to the healthcare specialists.
9) What does a patient care technician do?
A PCT working in a hospital must perform all the patients’ basic and daily duties and make their lives easier. He also needs to communicate with the nurses and doctors if any concern arises, which helps professionals change the treatment accordingly.
