Trade Schools
Patient Care Technicians assist doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in completing medical tasks and caring for patients.
They ensure patients are comfortable and update patient records to indicate changes in their condition, needs, and any concerns they may have.
Patient Care Technicians should also be responsible for other tasks, such as:
- Grooming and bathing patients
- Cleaning exam rooms
- Completing regular patient rounds
- Managing and observing food intake in patients
- Checking vitals
- Collecting samples
- Conducting EKGs and other diagnostic tests
- And more
These skills can be learned by attending a post-secondary program at a trade school or community college.
These programs typically can be completed in only a few months and get you ready for certification exams and entry-level employment.
To help you choose the format and the program that best fit your lifestyle and learning style, on this page we have compiled information about the best Patient Care Technician programs in Pennsylvania.
1Erie County Community College
About the School
Erie County Community College offers Patient Care Technician training for those interested in a hands-on career helping patients in hospitals, rehabilitation, or acute care settings.
After completing the program, students will be able to:
- Communicate with patients, families, and other healthcare team members
- Display professional conduct
- Providing basic care to patients of all age groups in a variety of healthcare settings
- Performing PCT procedures in a safe and therapeutic manner
- Implementing basic safety and infection control practices
- And more
Courses Offered
The program includes the following required courses:
- Intro to Allied Health Programs
- Medical Terminology and Body Systems
- Patient Care Technician Skills 1
- Patient Care Technician Skills 2
- Clinical Practicum for Patient Care Technicians
Contact Information
- Address: 2403 W 8th St Erie, PA 16505
- Phone: (814) 413-7000
- Website: https://www.ec3pa.org
2Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
Lancaster County Career & Technology Center offers a Patient Care Technician program that teaches students how to deliver basic patient care and perform therapeutic and diagnostic procedures in a hospital setting, physician’s office, or home health agency.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers the following core skills:
- Safety
- Communication
- Infection Control
- Human Needs and Development
- Health Care Provider Skills
- Nutrition and Hydration
- Basic Structures and Functions of the Human Body
- Death and Dying
- Medical Terminology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1730 Hans Herr Drive, Willow Street, PA 17584
- Phone: 717-464-7050
- Website: https://lancasterctc.edu
3Bucks County Community College
About the School
Bucks County Community College offers a Patient Care Technician Certificate Program that prepares students to support nurses, doctors, and other medical staff in caring for patients.
Students must meet the following required prerequisites:
Being 18 years of age or older
Possessing a high school diploma or GED
Having completed a Certified Nursing Course within 2 years of the start of the Introduction to Patient Care course
Active status on the PA/NJ Nurse Aide registry is mandatory if the nursing assistant course was not completed at Bucks County Community College.
Graduates are eligible to become certified in the following:
- Phlebotomy
- EKG
- Patient Care Technician
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the college:
- Basic Human Anatomy
- Introduction to Patient Care
- Electrocardiography Interpretation
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Law and Ethics
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA 18940
- Phone: 215-968-8000
- Website: https://www.bucks.edu
4Millersville University
About the School
Millersville University offers a Patient Care Technician program with a voucher included.
This program costs $2,795.
Students learn how to:
- Use proper medical terminology
- The legal, ethical, and professional standards within the role of the PCT
- Provide individualized basic nursing care to a diverse population of patients
- Apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- And more
The course is available fully online.
The syllabus includes courses on:
- Medical Terminology
- Becoming a Patient Care Technician
- Soft Skills in Healthcare
- Infection Control and Safety Precautions
- Workplace and Patient Safety
- Pharmacology
- Restorative Care and Rehabilitation
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 1002, Professional Training & Education, Millersville, PA 17551 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.millersville.edu
5Pennsylvania College of Technology
About the School
Pennsylvania College of Technology helps students become equipped with hands-on knowledge and the full-on college experience.
The lab to lecture hours ratio is 3:1.
The school has more than 150 learning labs.
The school offers the following nursing & health sciences programs:
- Allied Health
- Dental Hygiene
- Nursing
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Radiography
- And more
The Allied Health program covers topics such as:
- Human Anatomy & Physiology Survey
- Medical Terminology Survey
- Basics of Medical Terminology
- Fitness & Wellness elective
- Principles of Management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701
- Phone: 570.320.2400
- Website: https://www.pct.edu
6Falcon Institute of Health and Science
Falcon Institute of Health and Science is a nationally accredited institute for higher education approved by the PA Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the school:
- Practical Nurse Education- a program that can be completed in 12 months by full-time students and in 18 months by part-time students.
- Medical Assistant- a nine-month program
- Nurse Aid Training- a 120-hour intense training program that takes 18 days to complete
The Medical Assistant program includes the following courses:
- Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Medical Terminology, Disease and Treatment
- Pharmacology
- Medical Office Procedures
- Clinical Skills Lab
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3045 Avenue B, Bethlehem, PA 18017
- Phone: 610-253-2527
- Website: https://www.falconihs.com
7Advanced eClinical Training
Advanced eClinical Training offers an online Patient Care Technician Certification Program.
This eight-week program prepares students for the American Medical Certification Association or the National HealthCareer Association certification exam to earn a nationally accredited Patient Care Technician Certification.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes skills in the following areas:
- Medical terminology, disease processes, anatomy and physiology
- Interpersonal patient communication
- Basic patient care skills
- Understanding EKG readings and monitoring vital signs
- Phlebotomy procedures
- Administering medications
- And more
Students have unlimited 12-month access to web-based instructional content.
They learn by doing, through cutting-edge virtual simulations.
The program also includes hands-on learning with a venipuncture practice kit.
Contact Information
- Phone: (617) 336-6104
- Website: https://advclinical.org
8Pennco Tech
About the School
Pennco Tech offers a Medical Assistant program in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
This 18-week program prepares students with the skills necessary for a rewarding career in a variety of medical and healthcare settings.
Students prepare for daily duties such as:
- Interacting with patients
- Measuring vital signs and performing EKGs
- Taking medical histories
- Maintaining electronic health records
- Using a digital pulse ox and centrifuge refractometer
- Administering injections
- Drawing blood
- Scheduling appointments and assisting physicians
Applicants need a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent certification.
Contact Information
- Address: 3815 Otter St, Bristol, PA 19007
- Phone: 215-268-7885
- Website: https://www.penncotech.edu
9Delaware County Community College
About the School
Delaware County Community College offers a Health Care Careers pathway that includes a Multi Skilled Medical Technician Certificate Program.
The program prepares students with cross-training in up to five medical skills areas:
- Venipuncture (Phlebotomy)
- EKG Technician
- CPR/First Aid
- Electronic Health Records
- Dialysis
Students must be 18 years of age to enroll in this program.
They also need a high school diploma or GED
The following options are available:
- EKG Technician, Venipuncture Technician, and CPR/First Aid- a 188-hour option that costs $2,999
- EKG Technician, Venipuncture Technician, CPR/First Aid, and Digital Patient Records Certification- a 178-hour path that costs $3,999
- Patient Care Technician- a 186-hour option that costs $4,994
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 901 S. Media Line Rd, Media, PA 19063
- Phone: 610-723-2000
- Website: https://www.dccc.edu
10Career Technology Center
About the School
Career Technology Center provides a Patient Care Technician program designed to prepare students for a variety of health career occupations and prepare students for post-secondary education.
The program is delivered in a three-tier approach.
Each level builds upon the previous year’s learning experiences.
Those who have successfully progressed through the program have the opportunity to sit for the Patient Care Technician Certification.
Students are able to earn the following certifications:
- OSHA 10
- Mandated Reporting
- AHA BLS/CPR
- NHA C/PCT
Contact Information
- Address: 3201 Rockwell Avenue, Scranton PA 18508
- Phone: (570) 346-8471
- Website: https://www.ctclc.edu
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 4,720 | $39,830 | $19.15 | $45,860 | $33,680 |
| Altoona, PA | 790 | $37,200 | $17.89 | $43,910 | $31,220 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 800 | $35,830 | $17.22 | $41,670 | $32,300 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 590 | $42,170 | $20.27 | $49,920 | $31,100 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 380 | $38,810 | $18.66 | $49,020 | $32,340 |
| Erie, PA | 1,650 | $36,930 | $17.76 | $43,160 | $33,780 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 410 | $38,690 | $18.6 | $44,890 | $35,250 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 4,220 | $38,940 | $18.72 | $45,620 | $33,920 |
| Johnstown, PA | 480 | $33,670 | $16.19 | $38,760 | $28,650 |
| Lancaster, PA | 3,060 | $39,770 | $19.12 | $46,960 | $35,610 |
| Lebanon, PA | 580 | $40,650 | $19.54 | $48,590 | $35,360 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 32,410 | $41,240 | $19.83 | $47,170 | $34,240 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 11,330 | $39,470 | $18.98 | $45,120 | $35,380 |
| Reading, PA | 1,740 | $40,980 | $19.7 | $47,430 | $35,980 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 2,770 | $38,000 | $18.27 | $44,550 | $31,830 |
| State College, PA | 520 | $37,580 | $18.07 | $43,630 | $33,280 |
| Williamsport, PA | 690 | $37,400 | $17.98 | $41,440 | $31,930 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 1,470 | $38,980 | $18.74 | $44,220 | $34,700 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of the best Patient Care Technician schools in Pennsylvania and the programs they offer, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs and career aspirations.
Take your time and choose wisely.
