Patient Care Technician Course Waitlist

Add you name to the waitlist and be notified of the next class offerings! Class cost is $2,499.

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

Financial Assistance:  Need help paying for some or all of this course?  Visit our Financial Assistance Page.

• If you are between the ages of 16 and 24 with a high school diploma or GED, you may qualify for a local grant.   Please visit www.careersourcetampabay.com.

• Check out our Pre-Payment Plan.

This course is approved by the VA for the Post 9/11 GI Bill

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 Healthcare 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 120 hours of training including at least 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
Background Check
Drug screening
Fingerprinting
EKG Calipers
BP Cuff and Stethoscope
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.  A failed background check will result in removal from the program with no refund.  Person’s with criminal history may be able to obtain and exemption from the Agency for Health Care Administration to provide eligibility for employment in a healthcare setting.  Visit AHCA for more information.

Drug Screening- Students are required to have a 5-panel drug screen completed at Tampa Occupational Health Service at 2919 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33609.  If the urine screen is positive, the student will receive a call from the medical review officer to provide documentation of prescriptive medication.  If proper documentation cannot be provided, a second test must be completed at the student’s expense within 24 hours. The failed drug screen will result in removal from the program with no refund.

Physical Exam/Immunizations
Students must get a medical physical exam including a TB skin test and must provide proof that all immunizations are up to date including:  Influenza, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox, Hepatitis B, TDAP.  If the student has a medical issue that can affect their participation in the program, they should advise HCC immediately.  We do not recommend taking classes that include phlebotomy/specimen collection and if you are pregnant, or plan on becoming pregnant due to exposure risk.  Your physician must complete and sign the Students Health and Immunization Certification Form.  If you do not have a primary physician, you can schedule an appointment at Tampa Occupational Health, (2919 Swann Ave, Suite 402, Tampa, FL 33609) to see Doctor Jean at the same location as your drug screening.  The fee is $35.00 for the physical and is not included in your registration fee.

Helpful hints:

1. Your High School should have your immunization records if you have graduated within the past 3 years.

2. Your primary care doctor may have copies of your immunizations.

3. Physicals and immunizations are free in many health insurance plans including Medicaid and may be completed with your primary care doctor.

Please Note: This course includes a mandatory of 40 clinical hours, 30 venipuncture and 10 capillary sticks. Clinicals are typically held all-day at a hospital and/or long-term nursing 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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