A Day in the Life of a Patient Care Technician

Patient care technicians play an important role in the healthcare industry. In fact, they help to support doctors, nurses, and other medical staff that care for patients. As a PCT, or Patient Care Technician, you have several options where you can work. Often, PCTs are seen in the hospital, but this is not the only place. Sometimes, employment can be found in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and long-term or hospice facilities.

Patient care technicians have a lot of responsibility and are tasked with providing care to patients who need assistance. While a PCT is not the only care provider to the patient, you will be one of the main care providers.

If you are considering becoming a Patient Care Technician, it is important that you understand and know the job duties and be able to complete them every day. This type of career is demanding and will require a lot of physical and mental strength.

Also, consider enrolling in Florida Career College’s Patient Care Technician Program. You can complete the program and earn your diploma in as few as 10 months.

Think you are up for it? Let’s look at what it is like to spend a day as a PCT.

Your Job Duties and Responsibilities – Pay Attention

It is vital that you understand and know what your job duties and responsibilities are in this role. You will be working under the supervision of the nursing staff and will communicate and coordinate care regularly.

Patient care technicians have a wide range of responsibilities and some of those responsibilities include:

• Monitoring patients and providing updates
• Providing excellent care to patients
• Checking patients’ vital signs
• Alerting the care team to any problems
• Escorting patients to labs, x-rays, and other areas throughout the facility
• Monitor food and liquid intake of patients
• Obtain specimens
• Document and chart information
• And more

Hospital Patient Care Technicians

One of the settings you may find yourself working in is a hospital setting. Many patient care technicians work here, and the environment is fast-paced.

As a PCT in a hospital, you can expect to:

• Transport patients via a wheelchair
• Ensure patients receive the ordered tests needed
• Assist patients in moving around the room
• Aid the nursing staff and physicians
• Measure and record the patients’ vital signs

Working in a hospital has a lot of opportunities, can work in a variety of different areas such as geriatrics, labor and delivery, cardiology, and so much more. You are not limited to which floor you work on or which patients you work with.

In addition, working in a hospital setting means that you will see new patients all the time and you will face a variety of challenges day in and out.

Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility Patient Care Technicians

One of the other settings you may find yourself in is a nursing home or long-term care facility. These facilities are home to patients who need assisted living or those patients who require care around the clock. This setting is much different than a hospital.

Many of the job duties are similar between hospital and nursing home or assisted living facility PCTs, but you will find some key differences too.

As a nursing home or assisted living facility patient care technician, you can expect some of your job duties to include:

• Measuring and recording patients’ vital signs
• Moving patients in their bed, chair, or throughout their room
• Changing bed linens
• Helping to feed patients or taking them to the cafeteria to eat
• Helping patients with grooming, bathing, and dressing

Working in an assisted living facility or nursing home is different than in a hospital in that you will form relationships and a bond with your patients as you will see them day in and out.

As a PCT in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you may find it difficult emotionally when a patient passes away because you have developed a bond from working with them for so long.

Florida Career College Can Help You Become a Patient Care Technician

Florida Career College offers a patient care technician diploma that can help you jumpstart your career. This program can be completed in as few as 10 months and includes an externship at a local facility where you can practice what you have learned.

If you would like to learn more about how to become a Patient Care Technician or you would like to enroll in classes, reach out to one of our Florida Career College program advisors today!