If you live in Alabama and you want to start a career as a Patient Care Technician, this page will provide you with information about the best schools that can prepare you for entry-level employment in this field.
Patient Care Technicians take care of many tasks that help patients feel comfortable in a healthcare setting.
They are the ones who are typically responsible for:
- Collecting samples and preparing them for the lab
- Checking vital signs
- Conducting certain medical tests
- Serving meals to patients
- Helping patients with mobility and exercises
- Reporting changes to the patient’s condition to the nurse or medical team
- And more
Specific duties vary depending on the employer and the setting in which they work.
This profession typically requires a high school diploma or GED.
Most states also require the completion of a specialized post-secondary program or a certified nursing assistant program.
To prepare you for entry-level employment, training programs should typically cover medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, first aid, medical laws, medical records management, and more.
On this page, we have compiled information about the best schools that can prepare you for a career as a Patient Care Technician in the state of Alabama.
1Jefferson State Community College
Jefferson State Community College offers a Patient Care Technician program designed to prepare entry-level graduates that promote the health and safety of patients.
Courses Offered
This course has the following objectives:
- Explain and demonstrate skills needed to provide patient safety and basic care needs
- Describe and adhere to HIPAA guidelines and the general laws and ethical responsibilities of healthcare employees
- Identify the structure and function of body systems
- Provide emotional support to patients
- Provide care for patients with feeding tubes
- Recognize and adapt approaches to patients with functional limitations
- Assist with ostomy care
- And more
After completing the program, students are eligible to sit for the Patient Care Technician/Assistant Certification.
The course fee is $999.
Contact Information
- Address: 2601 Carson Road, George Wallace Hall, Office 202, Birmingham, AL 35215
- Phone: 888-453-3378
- Website: https://www.jeffersonstate.edu
2Auburn Career Center
About the School
Auburn Career Center offers a training program for compassionate caregivers.
Among other topics, the program covers medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and nutrition.
The courses are designed to prepare students for college or the workplace.
Graduates are ready for work opportunities as nursing assistants, patient care technicians, phlebotomists, or EKG technicians.
Students have the opportunity to receive certifications necessary to secure a healthcare job.
Courses Offered
Students learn skills that will prepare them for tasks such as:
- Applying psychomotor nursing skills
- Measure vital signs
- Observe patients’ physical, mental, and emotional conditions and document changes
- Operating protocols for handling, preparing, storing, and disposing of specimens, supplies, and equipment
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 8140 Auburn Road, Concord Twp., OH 44077
- Phone: 440-357-7542
- Website: https://www.auburncc.org
3Ultimate Medical Academy
About the School
Ultimate Medical Academy provides a variety of medical training programs, including a Patient Care Technician Diploma program.
This program combines on-campus training with online learning.
Students enrolled in this program prepare for the following certification exams:
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician
The program includes 180 hours of supervised on-site externship training.
Courses Offered
The Patient Care Technician curriculum covers:
- Principles of Allied Health
- Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Lab Procedures & Phlebotomy
- Clinical Externship
- Nursing Assistant
- Advanced Phlebotomy
Contact Information
- Address: 9309 N. Florida Ave. Tampa, FL 33612 (UMA online)
- Phone: 888-205-2510
- Website: https://www.ultimatemedical.edu
4Shelton State Community College
Shelton State Community College offers a wide range of academic programs in areas such as behavioral sciences, humanities, business, language, mathematics, natural sciences, health, wellness, and more.
Courses Offered
Shelton State Community College offers several Medical Technician Programs, including:
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Clinical Medical Assistant Program
- Dental Assisting Program
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Mental Health Worker
- Patient Care Technician Program with Clinical Externship
- And more
The Patient Care Technician Program with Clinical Externship includes 128 contact hours and is available at the college’s Martin campus.
The topics covered by this program include EKG, phlebotomy, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, HIPAA, vital signs, personal hygiene, and more.
Tuition for this program is $2,399.
Contact Information
- Address: 9500 Old Greensboro Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
- Phone: 205.391.2211
- Website: https://www.sheltonstate.edu
5Saad Healthcare
About the School
Saad Healthcare offers programs for those who want to start a new career and pursue their passion in the medical field.
The programs can be completed in less than 13 weeks and help students become certified and get a career in the medical field.
The school’s catalog includes the following programs:
- Certified Medical Assistant- a 12-week course of study with class lectures and skills training that take place four days a week, plus one week of clinical skills training
- Certified Nursing Assistant- a three-week course of study in a classroom and clinical setting
Courses Offered
The Certified Medical Assistant program at Saad Healthcare covers the following topics:
- Medical terminology
- Computer applications
- Recordkeeping
- Laboratory techniques
- Pharmacology
- Medication administration
- First aid
- Office practices
- Patient relations
- Medical law and ethics
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1515 University Boulevard South, Mobile, AL 36609
- Phone: (251) 343-2990
- Website: https://saadhealthcare.com
6National Training Institute for Healthcare Technicians LLC
About the School
National Training Institute for Healthcare Technicians LLC offers training programs for those who want to pursue certifications and enhance their job skills.
The institute has the following administration requirements:
- Being 17 years of age or older
- Holding a high school graduate or holding a GED
Courses Offered
Among other training programs, the institute offers a Patient Care Technician program that prepares students for a new career in as few as six months.
The program introduces skills such as electrocardiogram, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, basic First Aid, and blood draws.
The Patient Care Technician curriculum covers the following key areas:
- Detailed anatomy and physiology of the heart
- Medical disease processes and terminology
- Medical ethics and legal aspects of patient contact
- An introduction to the components, function, and proper use of the EKG machine
- Blood draws
- Basic first aid
- 12-lead placement and other practices
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 616 Gadsden Hwy., Ste. A, Birmingham, AL 35235
- Phone: (205) 305-5794
- Website: https://thenationaltraininginstituteforhealthcaretechnicians.com
7SM School of Opportunity
SM School of Opportunity offers several training programs for students who want to start a career in the healthcare field.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Nursing Assistant Program- classes that can be completed in two or four weeks
- Clinical Medical Assistant program- a 13-week program that is structured as follows:
- Nine weeks of theory and lab training
- Four weeks of externship
- Phlebotomy Technician Program- a six-week program with four weeks of theory and lab and two weeks of externship
- CCMA Duo Program- a 15-week program that prepares students for the following exams:
- Clinical Medical Assistant certification exam
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam with NHA
Tuition for the CCMA program is $3,050.
The CNA program costs $1,055, while tuition for the Phlebotomy Technician program is $1,800
Contact Information
- Address: 1304 Eastern Valley Road, Bessemer, Alabama 35020
- Phone: (205) 800-7021
- Website: https://smschoolofopportunity.com
8Taite Healthcare Training
About the School
Taite Healthcare Training offers medical assistant, phlebotomy, and CNA nurse aid training.
The Medical Assistant program available at the school is approved by the American Medical Technologist and National Healthcareer Association and Alabama Community College Systems.
Students have up to 12 to 18 weeks to complete the hybrid course.
Tuition for this program is $2,340
This fee includes tuition and book rental.
The Certified Nursing Aide program costs $600 and gives students up to four weeks to complete the online course.
The fee for the Phlebotomy Technician program is $700 and the course takes up to six weeks to complete.
Contact Information
- Address: 309 East Turner Road, Prichard, Alabama 36610
- Phone: (251) 375-1250
- Website: https://taitetraining.info
9Ross Medical Education Center
About the School
Ross Medical Education Center offers several healthcare career training programs, including:
- Medical Assistant
- Veterinary Assistant
- Dental Assistant
The Medical Assistant program is available at several locations across the United States, including Huntsville, Alabama.
The program provides class instruction on basic human anatomy and physiology, disease processes, medical terminology, first aid, assisting with examinations, and CMA procedures.
After successfully completing the program, students are ready to work in entry-level positions in a physician’s office, clinic, or other medical setting.
The final portion of the Medical Assistant program at Ross is an externship experience.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant class includes:
- Introduction to the Office Laboratory
- Medical Office Procedures
- Medical Terminology/Anatomy & Physiology
- Keyboarding
- Urinalysis
- Administration of Medicine
- Financial Recordkeeping
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 930 Old Monrovia Road Northwest, Huntsville, AL 35806
- Phone: (866) 815-5578
- Website: https://rosseducation.edu
10Core Medical Training Center
Core Medical Training Center offers comprehensive health and medical training courses.
Programs are available in Oxford and Huntsville, Alabama.
Courses Offered
The following courses of study are available:
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Clinical Medical Assistant
- EKG Technician
- Billing and Coding Specialist
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- And more
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be 17 years of age
- Hold a high school diploma, GED, or unofficial college transcripts
The Phlebotomy Technician program covers topics such as:
- Safety and Compliance
- Patient Preparation
- Routine Blood Collections
- Processing Specimens
- Special Collections
The EKG Technician program includes:
- Cardiac Anatomy
- Cardiac Physiology
- Electrical Conduction in the Heart
- Holter and Telemetry Monitoring
- Patient Care and Advising
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1707 Hillyer Robinson Industrial Pkwy S Ste A Oxford, AL 36203
- Phone: (256) 499-6338
- Website: https://coremedicaltrainingcenter.com
Regional Salary in Alabama
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL | 610 | $29,110 | $14 | $34,760 | $21,710 |
Auburn-Opelika, AL | 430 | $30,210 | $14.52 | $37,820 | $27,360 |
Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 5,830 | $32,800 | $15.77 | $37,480 | $26,910 |
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 730 | $31,450 | $15.12 | $36,160 | $24,450 |
Decatur, AL | 320 | $31,370 | $15.08 | $37,630 | $23,510 |
Dothan, AL | 840 | $26,830 | $12.9 | $33,690 | $22,070 |
Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 540 | $29,230 | $14.05 | $34,710 | $23,460 |
Gadsden, AL | 520 | $29,190 | $14.04 | $35,200 | $22,240 |
Huntsville, AL | 2,280 | $32,840 | $15.79 | $39,520 | $27,190 |
Mobile, AL | 2,000 | $30,300 | $14.57 | $35,790 | $24,350 |
Montgomery, AL | 1,800 | $31,920 | $15.35 | $37,690 | $25,800 |
Tuscaloosa, AL | 1,190 | $32,180 | $15.47 | $42,460 | $23,310 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best Patient Care Technician programs in the state of Alabama, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
This is an important step so make sure the program you choose fits your learning style, budget, and lifestyle.