Trade Schools
If you live in Missouri and want to start a new career as a Patient Care Technician or advance to a new position, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best schools that can prepare you for the tasks that are typically included in a PCT job description.
PCTs play a vital role in the healthcare industry because they help patients feel comfortable and safe during medical treatment or procedures.
Patient Care Technicians are also qualified to provide basic patient care, use EKG machines, and collect blood samples.
Training programs for future Patient Care Technicians are available at many colleges, trade schools, and medical institutions.
Some courses are available online and can be completed by students from the comfort of their homes.
Many programs combine online classes, in-person lectures, and laboratory and clinical experience to prepare students for real-world situations.
You can train for this profession either by following a dedicated program or by gaining separate CNA, Phlebotomy, and EKG certifications.
We invite you to read further and find out more about the available training options.
1Aspire Healthcare Solutions
About the School
Aspire Healthcare Solutions offers affordable CNA, Phlebotomy, EKG, and Patient Care Technician classes in St. Louis.
The Phlebotomy Technician program provides students with the skills and knowledge to work in a variety of healthcare environments using proper specimen collection and handling.
Both day and evening programs are available.
The program may be completed in seven weeks.
The EKG Technician program provides students with the skills needed to perform electrocardiograms and function as EKG Technicians in a variety of healthcare environments.
The Patient Care Technician program at Aspire Healthcare Solutions provides competency in:
- The fundamentals of patient care
- Basic nursing assistant care
- Training in EKG and phlebotomy
The Patient Care Technician program is ten weeks long.
Contact Information
- Address: 1120 S. 6th Street Suite 200 St. Louis Mo, 63104
- Phone: 314-736-1146
- Website: https://www.aspirehealth1.com
2Medical Education Development and Support LLC
Medical Education Development and Support LLC offers paraprofessional training programs for individuals who want to care for family members at home, nursing and medical students, individuals who want to re-enter the workforce, and those who want to enhance their healthcare careers.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- CNA-Certified Nurse Assistant
- CMT- Certified Medication Technician
- Level 1 Medication Aide
- Unlicensed Assistive Personnel/Patient Care Technician
- And more
Tuition for the Patient Care Technician program is $1,950.
The program covers:
- Resident’s rights and legal issues
- Vital signs
- Infection control
- Bathing and grooming
- Feeding and nutrition
- Observation and documentation
- And more
Students must be at least 18 years of age.
They also need a copy of two negative TB PPD skin tests, one negative TB blood test, or one negative chest x-ray that is less than six months old on the first day of class.
Background checks are also required.
Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 75% on a basic reading test given on the first day of class.
Contact Information
- Address: 1425 S Noland Rd, Independence, MO 64055
- Phone: 816.373.MEDS (6337)
- Website: https://medskc.com
3Assumpta Allied Health Career Center
About the School
Assumpta Allied Health Career Center prepares aspiring health professionals.
The following courses are available at the center:
- Basic Life Support
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Medication Aide Level I
- Insulin Administration
Applicants for the Certified Nursing Assistant program must be at least 18 years of age and eligible for employment in Missouri.
The program costs $850 and includes 75 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of on-the-job training.
The Medication Aide Level I is an 18-hour program that teaches students how to administer medication in residential care facilities and assisted living facilities.
Contact Information
- Address: 6033 Raytown Road, Raytown, MO 64133
- Phone: 816-737-3575
- Website: https://www.assumptakc.org
4St. Louis College of Health Careers
St. Louis College of Health Careers offers programs for students interested in finding employment in the healthcare field.
The courses are taught by industry professionals and are updated regularly to ensure students learn the skills relevant to advancing their career goals.
St. Louis College of Health Careers is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Courses Offered
Among many other programs, the college provides a Patient Care Technician diploma program intended to enhance a graduate’s portfolio with both general education courses and occupational courses developed to perfect patient care skills.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Human Biology Theory
- Human Biology Lab
- Medical Terminology
- PCT Fundamental Skills
- Patient Care Technician Externship
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 909 South Taylor Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Phone: (314) 652-0300
- Website: https://slchc.edu
5Midwest Institute
About the School
Midwest Institute is a career college in St. Louis that features online health care programs.
The institute offers hands-on courses that prepare students for careers in the medical field.
Courses Offered
The institute offers programs such as:
- Medical Assistant Program
- Dental Assistant Program
- Veterinary Technician Program
- Massage Therapist Program
The Medical Assistant program available in St. Louis blends traditional classroom instruction with the flexibility of online learning.
Students prepare for tasks such as:
- Reviewing patient records for timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness of health data
- Tracking patient outcomes for quality assessment
- Electronically recording data for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting
- Retrieving patient records for medical personnel
- Taking patient history and measuring vital signs
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4260 Shoreline Drive, Earth City, MO 63045
- Phone: 314-344-4440
- Website: https://www.midwestinstitute.edu
6Concorde Career Colleges
Concorde Career Colleges has two campus locations to have easy access to the school without a long commute.
The main campus is located on the east side of the St. Joseph Medical Center complex off I-435 and State Line.
The college also has a satellite campus located at the corner of Linwood and Broadway.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the college:
- Cardiovascular Sonography
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Office Administration
- Phlebotomy
- Sterile Processing Technician
- And more
The Phlebotomy program prepares students to collect blood samples from patients via venipuncture or capillary puncture.
The program covers duties such as:
- Drawing blood from patients or donors
- Verifying or recording the identity of patients or donors
- Labeling and storing blood containers for processing
- Conducting interviews, taking vital signs, and testing blood samples
- And more
The school also offers a Medical Assistant program that prepares students with knowledge and skills in the following areas:
- Pathology
- Body Systems
- Medical Terminology
- Venipuncture
- Laboratory Diagnostic Procedures
- Medical Front Office Procedures
- Echocardiograms
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 930 Carondelet Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64114
- Phone: (816) 787-1029
- Website: https://www.concorde.edu
7St. Louis Community College
About the School
St. Louis Community College offers a Patient Care Technician program that combines six or seven weeks of classroom instruction with three to four weeks of clinical practice.
The classroom instruction part combines face-to-face lectures and skill labs at an STLCC campus as well as independent online activities.
Students should be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30- p.m.
Clinical practice hours include 12-hour shifts at a partnering hospital location.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Typical work activities include:
- Attending to patients’ comfort, hygiene, and meals
- Checking temperature and vital signs
- Helping patients keep rooms and beds clean
- Reporting any changes in patients’ demeanor or agility to the nurses or physician on duty
Contact Information
- Address: 3400 Pershall Road, Ferguson, MO 63135
- Phone: 314-513-4200
- Website: https://stlcc.edu
8Stephens College
About the School
Stephens College offers a Patient Care Technician Academy.
This is a paid program taught by Boone Health nurse educators.
Students gain valuable direct patient care experience while working in a real patient care setting.
The course includes 175 hours: 75 classroom hours and 100 supervised clinical hours as an employee of Boone Health.
Boone Hospital Center offers full-time, part-time, and flexible scheduling options.
Students get direct patient care experience that can benefit students as they complete their nursing degree.
The PCT training academy includes a five-week paid training period at Boone Hospital Center.
Attendance is mandatory at these training sessions.
Contact Information
- Address: 1200 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65215
- Phone: (573) 442-2211
- Website: https://www.stephens.edu
9Western Missouri Medical Center
About the School
Western Missouri Medical Center offers a Patient Care Technician program that teaches students the skills needed to play this vital role in healthcare by collaborating with nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to perform a wide range of tasks in delivering quality patient care.
The six-week program allows students to work 36 hours per week as paid employees while receiving online instruction, hands-on training, and real-world experience at WMMC under the direct supervision of an expert healthcare team.
Students learn how to perform tasks such as:
- Taking and monitoring vital signs
- Performing blood draws
- Collecting specimens
- Cleaning and maintaining patient rooms
- Maintaining patients’ hygiene
- Escorting patients throughout the hospital
- And more
Students who complete this paid program and pass their Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant exam will earn their PCT certification, as well as a $1 hourly wage increase, and begin a 12-month commitment as a Patient Care Technician at WMMC.
Contact Information
- Address: 403 Burkarth Road, Warrensburg, MO
- Phone: 660.747.2500
- Website: https://wmmc.com
10Jefferson College
About the School
Jefferson College provides a Patient Care Technician training program designed to prepare individuals for employment as a PCT in a hospital setting.
Students learn how to measure and monitor vital signs, draw blood, discontinue IVs, and assist patients with daily living activities.
There are four pathways students may choose from:
- CNA only- a pathway that consists of 75 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of clinical training
- PCT only- this pathway consists of 111 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of clinicals
- CNA & PCT- a pathway that consists of a PCT and CNA credential
- PCT bridge- a pathway created for CNAs or PCAs who are seeking PCT certification.
The PCT-only program can be completed in nine weeks.
Financial assistance is available for students who qualify.
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 Viking Drive, Hillsboro, MO 63050
- Phone: (636) 481-3000
- Website: https://www.jeffco.edu
Regional Salary in Missouri
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 710 | $33,850 | $16.28 | $35,880 | $29,130 |
| Columbia, MO | 1,730 | $37,490 | $18.03 | $45,200 | $30,940 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 570 | $34,540 | $16.61 | $36,720 | $29,130 |
| Joplin, MO | 900 | $35,020 | $16.84 | $39,630 | $29,420 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 11,980 | $38,780 | $18.65 | $44,840 | $33,680 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 640 | $37,140 | $17.86 | $43,930 | $29,730 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 12,530 | $37,810 | $18.18 | $44,400 | $31,010 |
| Springfield, MO | 2,560 | $34,350 | $16.51 | $38,040 | $28,930 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of some of the best training options available for Missouri residents who want to start a career as Patient Care Technicians, the next step is to decide if this is the path you want to pursue and apply for the program that will help you get there.
Take your time and make an informed decision.
