Trade SchoolsIf you’re a compassionate person and you want to start a rewarding career in the healthcare field without spending up to four years in post-secondary education, the Patient Care Technician profession is worth exploring.
Patient Care Technicians have a role that differs from the one of a Certified Nursing Assistant in the level of specialized skills.
Depending on the certifications they have, Patient Care Technicians may also be allowed to perform Electrocardiograms and Phlebotomy procedures and assist with sterile procedures, dialysis, and other procedures.
The skills needed for this profession can be learned either by attending a dedicated Patient Care Technician program or by completing CNA training and Phlebotomy and EKG training as separate classes.
To help you choose the program and the format that best meets your learning style and career aspirations, on this page, we have compiled information about the best Patient Care Technician training program in the state of Arkansas.
1Baptist Health College Little Rock
About the School
Baptist Health College Little Rock offers a Patient Care Technician program that prepares students for work under the supervision of nurses, advanced practice personnel, and physicians.
After successfully completing the program, students are eligible to test for the Patient Care Technician certification through the National Center for Competency Testing.
This program is five weeks in length and operates from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Applicants must be high school graduates or have a GED and submit an official high school and GED transcript.
Students are also required to provide documentation of current Immunizations and Tuberculin skin testing results at the time of enrollment.
Baptist Health College Little Rock is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Contact Information
- Address: 11900 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, AR 72210-2820
- Phone: (501) 202-6200
- Website: https://www.bhclr.edu
2Arkansas State University Beebe
Arkansas State University-Beebe offers a patient care technician program that can be completed in one semester and focuses on personal care, phlebotomy, and cardiac monitoring skills.
Courses Offered
The program has the following outcomes:
- Utilize effective communication skills
- Perform duties safely and effectively
- Apply problem-solving skills
- Demonstrate proper patient care with consideration of legal, ethical, and professional standards.
Students have the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills needed to work in long-term care settings, physician clinics, and acute care facilities.
Each student is allowed to work alongside other healthcare professionals and provide support as needed.
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 Iowa Street, Beebe, AR 72012
- Phone: 501.882.3600
- Website: https://www.asub.edu
3Gateway Allied Health
About the School
Gateway Allied Health offers collegiate-level training programs for entry-level positions in the healthcare field.
The school is based in Hot Springs and is licensed and regulated by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and accredited through American Allied Health.
Courses Offered
The school provides the following programs:
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Certified Medical Assistant
- Certified Pharmacy Technician
- Certified Medical Coding & Billing Specialist
- Certified Patient Care Technician
- Certified Limited License Radiologic Technician
- And more
The Certified Patient Care Technician program costs $2,730.
This includes registration, tuition, textbooks, lab/equipment fees, supplies, and uniforms.
The Patient Care Technician program is a 120-hour course that combines 96 hours of classroom/lab time and 24 hours of clinical training.
Students develop a solid foundation in healthcare principles and learn the procedures performed by Patient Care Technicians.
Contact Information
- Address: 174 Cornerstone Court, Ste C, Hot Springs, AR., 71913
- Phone: 501.521.2022
- Website: https://gatewayalliedhealth.com
4Petra Allied Health, Inc
About the School
Petra Allied Health, Inc. provides quality allied health education.
The school offers 10 programs, including:
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- Electrocardiograph Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing and Coding/Insurance Specialist
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- And more
The Certified Nursing Assistant program is a 90-hour course that combines:
- 74 hours of classroom/lab hours
- 16 hours of clinical training
Students are prepared to work as a CNA and are trained in procedures such as:
- Infection prevention and control
- Residents’ rights
- Transferring and positioning techniques
- Obtaining vital signs
This program costs $520 in total.
The Phlebotomy Technician program includes 48 hours and teaches students how to prepare blood samples from adults, infants, and children for medical and clinical testing.
This program costs $1,595.
Contact Information
- Address: 3889 Willowood Ave. Springdale, AR 72762
- Phone: (800) 785-9876
- Website: https://petraalliedhealth.com
5Arkansas College of Health Careers
About the School
Arkansas College of Health Careers offers the essential tools and skills needed in the healthcare field.
The admission requirements include:
- Being beyond the age of compulsory public school attendance
- Provide proof of high school diploma or GED
- Provide proof of social security card
- Provide proof of identification
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the school:
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Electrocardiology Technician
- Medical Business Officer
- Nursing Assistant
The Phlebotomy Technician program is a five-week course that provides hands-on training in venipuncture and various specimen collection, laboratory standards, and patient safety and care.
The Electrocardiology Technician program is also designed to be completed in five weeks.
The Nursing Assistant program can be completed in four weeks.
Contact Information
- Address: 9714 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205
- Phone: (501) 319-7573
- Website: https://achc.us
6PAL CNA Training Academy
About the School
PAL CNA Training Academy has provided Arkansas residents with affordable healthcare training since 2015.
The school offers more than six programs.
Courses Offered
The school provides training for students who want to prepare for careers as Certified Nursing Assistants, as well as EKG, Phlebotomy, and Patient Care Assistant training.
The CNA program includes 90 hours of classroom and clinical instruction:
- 74 hours of classroom theory instruction and clinical skills lab training
- 16 hours of training consisting of clinical instruction at a long-term care facility
After completing the program, each student receives a certificate.
They have to take the competency exam in order to practice in the state of Arkansas.
The EKG course focuses on maximizing students’ understanding by analyzing electrocardiogram rhythm strips and also using the application of these theories through laboratory experiences.
This program costs $945.
Tuition for the Phlebotomy course is $875.
This course costs $705.
Contact Information
- Address: 11701 I-30 Frontage Road, Suite 300, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209
- Phone: 501-776-8422
- Website: https://www.palcna.com
7Aspiring Medical Training Institute
Aspiring Medical Training Institute prepares students for a rewarding career in healthcare.
The programs available at the institute are designed to help meet the growing needs of communities in the healthcare field.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the school:
- National Certified Phlebotomy Technician
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- CPR
- Nursing Consultation
The Certified Nursing Assistant program prepares students for eligibility for the Arkansas state certification exam in as little as 12 days.
The school provides day and/or evening programs.
This program costs $725.
The National Certified Phlebotomy program costs $750 and helps students begin a career in as little as eight days.
Contact Information
- Address: 6911 Geyer Springs Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209
- Phone: (501)240-6684
- Website: https://www.aspiring-future.com
8NorthWest Arkansas Community College
NorthWest Arkansas Community College offers quality and affordable higher education.
The college offers a full range of certificates and associate degrees.
Courses Offered
The college provides a CNA & PCA program that helps students develop healthcare skills in safety, infection control, vital signs, and working with geriatric residents in long-term care facilities.
After completing the program, students are eligible to take the state nurse assistant certification exam.
To receive a Certificate of Proficiency in Nursing Assisting, students must take courses such as:
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Patient Care Assistant Plus
- Electronic Health Records
- And 7 hours of electives
Contact Information
- Address: One College Drive, Bentonville, AR 72712
- Phone: 479.986.4000
- Website: https://www.nwacc.edu
9Arkadelphia Healthcare Academy
Arkadelphia Healthcare Academy offers phlebotomy, certified medical assistant, and CNA training.
Courses Offered
The Nursing Assistant training program is a 90-hour course structure that uses the AR NATP curriculum.
Students gain entry-level knowledge, skills, and hands-on training to prepare for gainful employment and continued vocational training.
The Phlebotomy Technician program includes 64 hours of training structured to give hands-on training, knowledge, and skills to prepare to take the NHA national certification exam at the end of the course.
The program includes an NHA study guide, six practice exams, a focus review, and a certification exam.
The Certified Medical Assistant program can be completed in 18 weeks and includes 252 hours of training.
The program covers basic nursing skills, phlebotomy, EKGs, billing and coding for insurance purposes, scheduling appointments, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 2506 Country Club Road, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923
- Phone: 870.345.0530
- Website: https://arkadelphiahealthcareacademy.com
10Arkansas Employment Career Center
Arkansas Employment Career Center is Licensed by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.
The center offers programs for those who want to start careers as Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Clinical Medical Assistants, and Certified Pharmacy Technicians.
Courses Offered
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program includes 168 hours of training, consisting of a combination of classroom and clinical instruction.
The instruction includes:
- Preparing students to function as professionals in multiple healthcare settings
- Preparing students to assist physicians by performing functions related to clinical aspects of a medical office
- Medical assistants with a clinical background perform various clinical tasks, including assisting with the administration of medications and with minor procedures, performing EKG electrocardiograms, obtaining laboratory specimens for testing, educating patients, and other tasks
Contact Information
- Address: 300 S. Spring Street, Suite 300, Little Rock, AR 72202
- Phone: 501-615-8922
- Website: https://arecc.org
Regional Salary in Arkansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 2,680 | $32,780 | $15.76 | $38,690 | $26,080 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 1,330 | $32,000 | $15.39 | $37,490 | $28,160 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 800 | $30,900 | $14.85 | $34,710 | $28,070 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 940 | $31,890 | $15.33 | $37,050 | $25,450 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 5,360 | $33,130 | $15.93 | $38,660 | $25,720 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 470 | $32,100 | $15.43 | $35,120 | $28,910 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best training programs available for those who want to start a career as a Patient Care Technician in Arkansas, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
Make sure the program you choose fits your schedule, budget, and learning style.
