What Do Patient Care Technicians/Associates Do?
Patient care technicians or associates (PCTs or PCAs) provide various aspects of patient care under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or doctor. They provide communication, comfort, and safety for the patient and typically have more clinical responsibility and technical skills than nursing aides. They assist patients with walking, bathing, eating, dressing, and getting in and out of beds, wheelchairs, and stretchers. Other duties may include taking and recording temperature, pulse, weight, and respiration rate, and obtaining specimens as directed by medical staff. They may also prepare rooms, sterilize equipment and escort patients to exam rooms and surgery. Some facilities create job ladders for PCTs/PCAs. Those with more technical skills and experience have more patient care responsibilities and receive a higher salary.
PCTs/PCAs seem to share a job description with certified nursing assistants; however, there is no uniform requirement for certification of PCTs/PCAs, as there is for certified nursing assistants. Some states do not recognize PCTs/PCAs as functionally separate from certified nursing assistants and require certification regardless of job title. Even so, the trained PCT/PCA who has passed one or two of the available certification examinations will earn a significantly higher wage.
Where Do Patient Care Technicians/Associates Work?
PCTs’/PCAs’ duties involve caring for people in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. Work settings for PCTs/PCAs include hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, and health care agencies. They also may provide care in patients’ homes.
How Much Do Patient Care Technicians/Associates Earn?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment and earnings data for patient care technicians/associates. According to salary.com, the median salary for patient technicians/associates in the United States is approximately $34,666, slightly lower than the median salary of $36,992 in New York State. In NYS, patient care technicians/associates in the 25th percentile make approximately $33,839 while those in the 75th percentile make approximately $40,954.
Supply and Demand
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for nursing assistants and orderlies in the U.S. will increase by 5% between 2021 and 2031. The New York State Department of Labor projects that the number of jobs for nursing assistants in the state will increase by 17% between 2020 and 2030. The profession is listed as one of the U.S. Department of Labor’s “Bright Outlook” occupations. Click here.
New York Educational Requirements
In many cases, PCTs/PCAs receive classroom and hands-on training through the hospital or facility that will employ them. Training and education requirements for PCTs/PCAs who work in hospitals or physician offices vary by institution. In some instances, employers may require a high school diploma or an associate degree and will provide on-the-job training. Others may require prior nursing aide experience or an LPN or CNA certificate or degree.
New York Licensure Requirements
New York does not require PCTs/PCAs to be licensed or certified, primarily because they work under the supervision of a licensed RN who completes any tasks that require a licensed professional.
For information about obtaining a PCT/PCA certification, please to the NHA website.
Education Programs in New York (subject to change)
| ABC Training Center 2471 Morris Ave Bronx, NY 10468 (718) 618-4332 |
Medical Training Institute of New York 45 W 34th St. New York, NY 10001 (347) 220-8181 |
| New York Medical Career Training Center 36-09 Main Street Flushing NY 11354 (718) 460-1717 or 500 8th Ave New York, NY 10018 (212) 947-4444 |
New Age Training 145 West 30th St New York, NY 10001 (212) 947-7940 |
| Access Careers 474 Fulton Ave Hempstead, NY 11550 (516) 433-0034 and 1930 Veterans Hwy Islandia, NY 11749 (631) 630-9410 |
Medgar Evers College 1650 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11225 (718) 270-4900 |
| Hostos Community College 500 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451 (718) 518-4444 |