Trade SchoolsPatient Care Technicians work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings, where they ensure the well-being of patients.
They visit patients regularly to monitor their health and vital signs, administer medication, and help them with everyday tasks.
This profession requires a high level of compassion but also knowledge of anatomy, medical terminology, and other healthcare-related skills.
Many trade schools and community colleges provide programs that can prepare you with the skills needed for entry-level employment after only a few months of training.
The Patient Care Technician curriculum typically includes:
- Medical Terminology
- Basic Nurse Assistant Training
- EKG Technician
- Phlebotomy
On this page, we have compiled information about the best Illinois schools that can prepare you with the above skills.
After reading our list you will have more information about the curriculum, cost, and admission requirements.
1South Suburban College
South Suburban College offers a wide selection of career education and college transfer credit programs.
The college offers a variety of allied health and career programs.
More than 100 program options are available to meet student needs at different moments in their educational journey.
Courses Offered
South Suburban College offers a Patient Care Technician Program that includes a sequence of courses that are meaningful with stackable credentials.
After completing the PCT Basic Certificate, students are eligible to sit for the Patent Care Technician national certification exam.
Students have the option to obtain certification in Nursing Assisting, Phlebotomy, and Electrocardiography Technician.
Contact Information
- Address: 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois 60473-1200
- Phone: (708) 596-2000
- Website: https://www.ssc.edu
2Oakton College
Oakton College offers more than 150 programs for students in nine areas of study, including Health Careers and Nursing.
Courses Offered
The Patient Care Technician program at Oakton College prepares students for entry-level positions in a wide range of settings,
Students who complete the PCT certificate are eligible to take the National Healthcareer Workers Association Patient Care Technician exam.
This certificate can be completed in one semester
The curriculum includes the following courses:
- Medical Terminology
- Basic Nurse Assistant Training
- Patient Care Technician
- Phlebotomy
Contact Information
- Address: 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016
- Phone: 847.635.1600
- Website: https://www.oakton.edu
3Malcolm X College
Malcolm X College offers a Patient Care Technician- Health Professions program.
Students are encouraged to take a BNA or EMT course before, or after they take Patient Care Technician Training.
In order to work as a PCT in the state of Illinois, students must be certified CNAs or certified EMTs, as well.
Courses Offered
The program outcomes include:
- Performing basic infection control practices in the healthcare setting
- Using effective skills to draw blood and accurately label tubes
- Performing basic 12-lead ECG technique
- Performing basic patient care skills
- And more
This program prepares students for the NHA certification examination.
Contact Information
- Address: 1900 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60612
- Phone: (312) 850-7856
- Website: https://www.ccc.edu/malcolm-x/departments/patient-care-technician-health-professions
4Moraine Valley Community College
About the School
Moraine Valley Community College offers programs for students who seek a degree, or a certificate, are looking for classes to take back to their four-year institution, or just looking to take a few classes for personal enrichment.
Tuition for a single three-credit hour course at the college is $471.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Moraine Valley Community College offers a Patient Care Technician program that provides students with a strong foundation in the skills necessary to work in acute care settings.
Students learn about medical terminology, nursing assistant skills, cardiac monitoring techniques, phlebotomy, the collection of non-blood specimens, and point-of-care testing.
The program prepares students for tasks such as:
- Providing quality patient care that includes emotional support and guidance
- Obtaining specimens, conducting tests, and recording results
- Checking blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse on a regular basis
- Monitoring patient condition
- Monitoring patients’ food and liquid intake
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 9000 W. College Pkwy. Palos Hills, IL 60465-2478
- Phone: (708) 974-4300 TTY 711
- Website: https://www.morainevalley.edu
5Joliet Junior College
About the School
Joliet Junior College offers nine customized pathways that prepare students for a variety of rewarding career fields.
Among many other programs, the college offers a Patient Care Technician program that prepares students to work hand-in-hand with doctors and nurses in a variety of healthcare settings.
Students learn how to perform standard and advanced clinical duties.
The college provides online courses that prepare students for the Certified Patient Care Technician exam, sponsored by the National Healthcareer Association.
Students have access to hands-on training in the laboratory classroom setting and at community clinical sites.
Courses Offered
The courses included in this program are:
- Introduction to Health Careers
- Phlebotomy Technician Training
- Electrocardiography Technician Training
- Nursing Assistant
- Clinical Practicum
- And more
In total, the program includes 18 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet IL, 60431
- Phone: 815.729.9020
- Website: https://jjc.edu
6Zurik Healthcare Institute
Zurik Healthcare Institute provides training and experience for students who want to become Nursing Assistants or Phlebotomy Technicians.
The institute offers a Phlebotomy Technician program in Homewood, Illinois.
Courses Offered
Nursing Assistant students learn how to:
- Function as a member of a healthcare team
- Body functions and systems
- Rights and safety of residents
- Nutrition and personal care
- Care of patients with special needs
- And perform other related tasks
The Phlebotomy Technician curriculum includes:
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Introduction to phlebotomy
- Clinical lab procedures
- Human relations training
- Sterilization techniques
- Infection control
- And more
The program includes 90 hours of training and can be completed in approximately nine weeks, approximately.
This program costs $1,500 in total.
This includes tuition and registration fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 3325 West 183rd Street, Homewood, IL 60430
- Phone: 708-960-0723
- Website: https://www.zhischool.org/
7First Step to Excellence Healthcare Training Academy Ltd.
About the School
First Step to Excellence Healthcare Training Academy Ltd. offers admission for Practical Nurse, Basic Nurse Assistant, and Phlebotomy classes.
The Basic Nurse Assistant Training program is designed to prepare individuals to function in the role of nurse assistant in a variety of healthcare settings.
The content includes: basic nurse care procedures and skills, body mechanics, safety measures, special treatments, and more.
The Phlebotomy program includes training that consists of lectures, lab, and outside externship experience.
The program prepares students to become qualified certified phlebotomists.
Contact Information
- Address: 1639 East 87th Street, Chicago, IL
- Phone: 773-437-5003
- Website: https://www.fsteacademy.education
8International Career Institute
International Career Institute offers online classes and flexible schedules to prepare students for careers in the healthcare field.
Courses Offered
The Patient Care Technician program offered at the institute prepares students for tasks such as:
- Performing personal care to complex patients
- Implementing selected portions of care plans
- Acquiring knowledge and skills as Nursing Assistants, Phlebotomists, and Patient Care Technicians
- Becoming eligible to take the Illinois State written competency exam for CNA, the National Health Career Association Certification for Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomist, and EKG Technician.
Classes are available at the school’s campus in Chicago.
The program includes 300 hours of training and prepares students for entry-level positions in health care.
Students who attend day or evening classes may graduate in 12 weeks while weekend students graduate in 25 weeks.
The program teaches the following skills:
- Obtaining EKG readings
- Monitoring Patient Vital Signs
- Performing Patient Safety Checks
- Performing Phlebotomy Procedures
- Providing Basic Patient Care
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 6425 N. Hamlinave. Lincolnwood, IL 60712
- Phone: 847-920-6169
- Website: https://www.ici-training.com
9Excelsior Healthcare Academy
About the School
Excelsior Healthcare Academy offers a Patient Care Technician program that provides students with daily hands-on experiences with patients.
Students learn how to perform duties such as taking vital signs, performing an ECG, drawing blood, and more.
In order to enroll, applicants must already be certified nursing assistants.
The course has enrollment requirements such as:
- Being at least 18 years of age or having parental permission in writing
- Having a high school diploma, GED, or successfully passing the Basic Skills Test with a minimum verbal score of 70% and a minimum math score of 70%.
- Completing a personal interview
- Providing proof of current and negative TB Skin test and negative Chest X-ray
This program costs $5,100 in total and includes:
- Tuition
- Books, Supplies, and Lab fee
- Exams, Certification & Administration
Excelsior Healthcare Academy is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
Contact Information
- Address: 523 S Halsted St, Chicago Heights, IL 60411
- Phone: 773-297-2417
- Website: https://excelsiorhealthcareacademy.com
10Parkland College
About the School
Parkland College offers community education programs in a variety of subject areas, including:
- Business and Management
- Human Resources
- Marketing & Sales
- Workplace Safety
- Health
- Real Estate
- Trades
- Transportation
Courses Offered
The Patient Care Technician program at Parkland College is designed to prepare students for certification with one of three nationally recognized healthcare organizations and launch a new career in the medical field.
After completing the training and externship, students are fully prepared to assist doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals in caring for the needs of sick and injured patients.
Tuition for this program is $3,499
Contact Information
- Address: 1315 N Mattis Ave, Champaign, IL 61821
- Phone: 217/351-2235
- Website: https://parkland.augusoft.net
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 820 | $39,320 | $18.9 | $48,070 | $33,770 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 750 | $37,890 | $18.22 | $46,560 | $30,790 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 1,430 | $39,930 | $19.2 | $45,760 | $34,790 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 41,870 | $42,430 | $20.4 | $47,540 | $36,990 |
| Danville, IL | 390 | $40,210 | $19.33 | $51,940 | $31,160 |
| Decatur, IL | 580 | $40,350 | $19.4 | $54,280 | $31,580 |
| Kankakee, IL | 580 | $40,580 | $19.51 | $48,060 | $34,900 |
| Peoria, IL | 3,320 | $39,780 | $19.13 | $49,310 | $33,700 |
| Rockford, IL | 1,810 | $39,390 | $18.94 | $46,950 | $34,490 |
| Springfield, IL | 1,220 | $39,470 | $18.97 | $46,530 | $34,520 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a compassionate person and you want to start a rewarding career in the healthcare field, the Patient Care Technician profession may be the right fit for you.
The programs included in our list can prepare you with the skills needed for entry-level employment in less than one year.
Now that you have read our selection, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
