Career descriptions -Patient care technician

Patient Care Technicians (PCTs), also known as nursing aides, are responsible for assisting nursing staff with the multitude of tasks required to care for a patient. They perform routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff. Such duties include:

* Answering patients’ call lights
* Delivering messages
* Serving meals
* Making beds
* Assisting patients with eating, dressing and bathing
* Taking and recording vital signs

They also may escort patients to operating and examining rooms, keep patients’ rooms neat, set up equipment, store and move supplies, and assist with some procedures. PCTs observe patients’ physical, mental and emotional conditions. They report any changes to the nursing or medical staff.
Patient care technician training is offered at career colleges, nursing care facilities and community colleges. Courses cover:

* Body mechanics
* Nutrition
* Anatomy and physiology
* Infection control
* Communication skills
* Resident rights

PCTs also learn personal care skills, such as how to help patients bathe, eat and groom themselves. In addition, some patient care technician schools may work with local healthcare agencies to extend clinical practice internships to students as well. Patient care technicians who complete a certification program are known as Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs). Career-driven individuals may use patient care technician training as a stepping stone to higher education in order to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).

Most full-time patient care technicians work about 40 hours a week. Because patients need care 24 hours a day, some PCTs work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Many work part-time. In 2004, 25 percent of PCTs worked part-time.

Patient care technicians spend many hours standing and walking. They often face heavy workloads. They must guard against back injury because they may have to move patients into and out of bed, or help them stand or walk. PCTs also may face hazards from minor infections and major diseases, such as hepatitis. But they can avoid infections by following proper procedures.

Patient care technicians held approximately 1.5 million jobs in 2004. Overall, PCT jobs are expected to grow faster than average through the year 2014. This growth is in response to the long-term care needs of an increasing elderly population. Job opportunities will likely be more numerous in nursing and residential care facilities than in hospitals. Modern medical technology will drive demand for PCTs. As technology saves and extends more lives, the need for long-term care increases.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, patient care technicians earned between $8.59 and $12.09 an hour in 2004. The highest 10 percent earned more than $14.02 an hour.