Patient Care Technician Course (2026)

START HERE! Please visit the financial assistance website at www.tampatraining.com/financialassistance to learn more and apply for available scholarships. Florida residents can apply for the Open-Door Scholarship for medical assisting, nurse assisting, massage therapy and phlebotomy technician.  The Sunshine Health Works scholarship is available for the EKG Technician course. This course is also approved for the 9/11 GI Bill.

Question: Where are the schedules of courses? 

Answer: Due to the high number of scholarship applications for our allied health programs, there are several approved students waiting for the next available seats.  As classes and seats become available, these students are notified of the dates and times of the classes.  This is why we encourage you to apply for a scholarship to get on the list for upcoming classes. Keep in mind that self-pay is always an option. If you want to do self-pay, visit the following link to inform us of your course interest; a staff member will respond within 2 business days. Please note that you cannot self-pay and then be reimbursed by a scholarship.

PLEASE NOTE:  Due to the new Rays stadium at Dale Mabry Campus, the PCT program will not be available in the Fall 2026 and possibly Spring 2027.

Who should attend?  Anyone over the age of 18 with high school diploma or GED. 

Course Description:

Patient Care Technicians (PCT) work primarily in an inpatient and outpatient setting alongside doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers to provide rehabilitation services, basic bedside care, collection of laboratory specimens, Phlebotomy and EKG’s to patients.

This 250+ hour Patient Care Technician program teaches the above knowledge and skills and includes 40 hours of PCT clinical experience, EKG technician certification training, and Phlebotomy certification training.   Many hospitals may require that PCTs also have a Certified Nursing Assistant license.   This course provides the preparation and training needed to successfully challenge the CNA licensing exam.

Visit the Florida Board of Nursing Website for information about becoming a CNA.

Upon completion of the course, you will meet the requirements to take the PCT, Phlebotomy and EKG technician certification exams through National Healthcareer Association.  The requirements include:

EKG Techinician- The EKG portion of the PCT program includes the NHA requirements of running 10 live EKGs.  After you complete this part of the curriculum, you will receive a certification of completion for EKG training and be eligible for certification testing. (Additional testing fees apply)

Phlebotomy- The phlebotomy training portion of the PCT program includes performing 10 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks in class.  For those interested in becoming certified as a Phlebotomy Techinician, a total of 30 venipunctures are required.  You have the option to attend 1-2 clinical days at local lab to achieve this requirement to be eligible for certification testing.  (Additional testing fees apply)

PCT/CNA training- over 80 hours of training including plus optional 40 hours of clinical experience.

You will receive a certificate of successful completion for each program section (EKG, Phlebotomy, PCT/CNA). You could end up receiving FOUR certifications! (Additional Phlebotomy, EKG, CNA exam fees paid separately.)

Visit www.nhanow.com to learn about the requirements for each certification.  The PCT certification exam is included in your registration. 

The following is included in your registration fee:

American Heart Association BLS Certification valid for 2 years
Textbook
Scrubs
EKG Calipers
PCT National Certification Exam with Study Package (Additional Phlebotomy, EKG, CNA fees paid separately)

Please note, the registration fee does not include the Background Check and Exam fees required by the Board of Nursing for CNA licensure. 

Course Requirements:

Background Check- A level 2 background check will be conducted through Hillsborough Community College.  Students with felonies, especially those related to child or elder abuse are not allowed to participate in the clinical rotation.  Visit the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to see if you are eligible to work in healthcare if you have criminal a history. Person’s with criminal history may be able to obtain and exemption from AHCA to provide eligibility for employment in a healthcare setting.  A failed background check will result in removal from clinicals. 

TB Screening- TB skin or blood test.  X-ray needed if previous exposure.

Please Note: This course includes a optional 40 clinical hours, 30 venipuncture and 10 capillary sticks. Clinicals are typically held all-day at a long-term nursing or rehabilitation facility towards the end of the course.  Access to transportation and a flexible schedule is needed.

Refunds, Cancellations & Substitutions 

Questions? Please email alliedhealthicce@hccfl.edu. We are happy to help!   

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