What is a Patient Care Technician (PCT)?
The hospital were I work there is a 10% pay difference between the CNAs and the PCTs. I have been a PCT for almost a year now. In order to get you PCT training you need to have a CNA license. As a CNA you assist patients with their activities of daily living, you measure a record height, weight, vital signs, intake and output, assist patient with ambulation, toileting, and bathing. As a PCT you do the same thing as a CNA with the added responsiblity of monitoring blood glucose levels, draw blood to be sent to the lab, insert and remove foley cathaters, and some sterile dressing changes. Working as a CNA and PCT has been an eye opening experience and a great learning opportunity for me. If you can handle being a CNA or PCT then you can nursing school. I feel by working as a PCT I have a little advantage over my classmates when it comes to clinicals because I won’t be afraid of assisting a patient with a bedpan.
