Source: access, National Healthcareer Association, 2020
NHA certification develops the skills your allied health students need to excel in the clinical setting and improve patient outcomes. By encouraging CPCT/A certification, you’re placing them on the path to higher earnings and more flexibility throughout their career.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job growth for patient care technicians (PCTs) to increase by 9%, exceeding the average growth for all other U.S. jobs. In addition to being in higher demand than ever before, PCTs also face increased responsibilities due to shortage of LPNs in hospitals combined with increasing patient hospitalizations.
PCT and CNA students are better prepared to tackle these responsibilities when they become certified as a CPCT/A.
As certified healthcare professionals, CPCT/As, CNAs, and CCMAs fulfill important, yet different, roles in the health system.
Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant
Roles and responsibilities
• Basic patient care; bathing, feeding, dressing, & catheter care
• Maintain a clean and safe patient environment
• Collect lab specimens
• Provide emotional support to patient and families
• Monitor and record vital signs/changes in patient
• Perform Phlebotomy Procedures
• Perform EKG procedures
Note: In addition to the tasks completed by CNAs, CPCT/As may also perform EKG and phlebotomy procedures. This allows employers that hire CPCT/As or candidates who are both CPCT/As and CNAs greater flexibility compared to employers that primarily hire CNAs.
Employment settings
Patient care technicians primarily work under the supervision of a nurse but may occasionally work under the supervision of a provider such as a physician. They often work in hospitals but have the skills needed to work in a variety of other settings, including nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, home health agencies, and assisted living facilities.
Requirements
CPCT/A certification is nationally accredited and not tied exclusively to a state-run certification or license, however, some states have specific training requirements and certification or licensing requirements to work in Medicare approved facilities.
• Basic patient care; bathing, feeding, dressing, & catheter care
• Maintain a clean and safe patient environment
• Collect lab specimens
• Provide emotional support to patients and families
• Monitor and record vital signs/changes in patient
Employment settings
Certified nursing assistants, also called nursing aides — as the title implies — primarily assist the registered nurse (RN) or licensed practicing nurse (LPN). Because they serve as direct caregivers, they are most often employed by nursing homes, residential care facilities and hospitals.
Requirements
The requirements to become a CNA vary from state to state, which means CNAs may need to certify again if they seek employment in a new location.
Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties.
• Checking patients in and out, answering phone calls and questions
• Basic billing and coding procedures
• Administering laboratory procedures, injections, or medications
• Assisting providers with exams, procedures, and minor surgeries
• Monitor and record vital signs/changes in patient
• Perform Phlebotomy procedures
• Perform EKG procedures
• Perform health coaching or patient education
Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMAs) can perform some of the same tasks as CPCT/As, including taking vital signs and performing EKG and phlebotomy procedures. However, they aren’t as focused on “caregiving” tasks as CNAs and CPCT/As.
Employment setting
Rather than working primarily with nurses, CCMAs work with a variety of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They typically work in medical offices, clinics, urgent care centers and may work in general medicine or specialty practices.
Requirements
NHA's CCMA certification is nationally accredited and not tied exclusively to a state-run certification or license. That said, some states have specific scope of practice, training or other licensing requirements to perform specific skills such as x-rays.
As the role of the patient care technician evolves, we are committed to building quality resources to help you and your learners thrive.
Backed by industry research, our recently updated CPCT/A certification exam and study materials assess the most current and relevant competencies necessary to ensure proficiency in the patient care technician profession. What's more - the CPCT/A exam is nationally accredited, which offers your students an additional measure of flexibility.
To learn more about the CPCT/A exam, including test plan, click here.
