Trade Schools
Patient Care Technicians play a vital role in assisting nurses and other medical staff in providing care to patients.
They work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and other similar settings.
A PCT job description typically includes tasks such as:
- Setting up and administering EKGs
- Preparing patients for Holter or ambulatory monitoring
- Assisting physicians during exams and procedures
- Scheduling appointments
- Delivering test results to physicians for analysis
- Collecting blood and other samples and preparing them for lab tests
- And more
All these skills can be learned at a community college or trade school in less than a year.
To help you choose the school and format that best meets your needs, on this page, we have compiled information about the best training options available in Rhode Island.
1911 Programs
911 Programs offers a Patient Care Technician program that also includes IV training.
The program prepares Patient Care Technicians who are certified phlebotomists, certified EKG technicians, and certified/licensed nursing assistants.
Students learn how to:
- Perform basic assessments on patients, including: gathering medical information, vital signs, and complaints
- Obtaining blood and other samples
- Performing EKGs, stress testing, and Holter monitoring
Courses Offered
The program consists of four modules:
- General Medical Studies- four weeks
- Core Phlebotomy- seven weeks
- Core EKG- six weeks
- Nursing Assistant- 12 weeks
Depending on the semester and number of students in each module, some students start with CNA while others will start with Phlebotomy or EKG.
Tuition for the Patient Care Technician program is $5,100.
Contact Information
- Address: 22 Veterans Memorial Dr. Warwick, RI 02886
- Phone: 401-773-7716
- Website: https://www.911programs.com
2Home Health Care Training of New England
About the School
Home Health Care Training of New England offers training programs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The school has trained thousands of students who have moved on to employment in health care and related fields.
The school hires staff that work with students to assist them in learning job skills and creating resumes.
The school has a hands-on approach to teaching and provides students with real-world skills training.
Students are eligible to take the state licensing exams required and various national certifications that employers demand.
The school serves Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Cardio-Phlebotomy Technician
- EKG Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Nursing Assistant/ Home Health Aide
- Patient Care Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
The Patient Care Technician program includes 448 hours of training: 304 classroom hours and 144 clinical internship hours.
The course provides students with Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, Phlebotomy, EKG, CPR, Medical Terminology & Career Preparation Skills.
Contact Information
- Address: 657 Quarry Street, Fall River, MA 02723
- Phone: 508.672.6800
- Website: https://www.hctschool.com
3American Safety Programs and Training, Inc.
About the School
American Safety Programs and Training, Inc. offers a Patient Care Technician program that prepares students for employment in hospitals, emergency room environments, labs, doctor’s offices, urgent care, nursing homes, home care, assisted living, or cardiology offices.
The program includes three segments:
- CNA- a part that is eight-week long
- Phlebotomy- an eight-week-long portion
- EKG Technician- a six-week part
This program costs $4,650 if paid in full.
The program is available in hybrid and in-person formats.
Contact Information
- Address: 150 Niantic Ave, Providence, Rhode Island 02907
- Phone: 401-273-6900
- Website: https://www.schoolofamericansafety.org
4Genesis Center
About the School
Genesis Center provides a supportive environment where students can learn from their facilitators and classmates from around the world.
The following healthcare programs are available at the center:
- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Dental Assistant
The Medical Assistant program covers administrative skills, such as:
- Customer service
- Scheduling
- Electronic medical records
The program also teaches the following clinical skills:
- Taking medical histories
- Measuring and recording vital signs
- Performing EKG and other tests
- Administering injections
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 620 Potters Avenue, Providence, RI 02907
- Phone: (401) 781-6110
- Website: https://www.gencenter.org
5HITEP
HITEP is a provider of nursing assistant training approved by the Rhode Island Department of Health and the American Red Cross.
Courses Offered
HITEP’s CNA training center teaches hands-on skills.
Students get to practice these skills in a lecture and lab setting, as well as a clinical practicum in a Skilled Nursing Facility.
The program prepares students for the NNAAP exam by covering both theoretical and practical skills that make them feel confident in passing their state exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 515 Elmwood Ave Providence, RI 02907
- Phone: 401-785-2202
- Website: https://hitepri.com
6Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center
About the School
Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center offers pathways designed to include a minimum of three years of instruction and hands-on learning.
The programs are designed to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to seek college credit and/or industry certifications.
The pathways are flexible and students may choose to leave a pathway and enroll in another pathway.
The health careers pathway teaches anatomy, physiology, CPR and first aid, medical terminology, and patient care.
The program combines scientific and skill-based knowledge with the art of patient care.
Qualified graduates receive college credit.
With program completion, students may prepare for entry-level careers as Certified Nurse Assistants, Medical Secretaries, Patient Care Assistants, Dietary Aides, and more.
By pursuing additional education, students may also prepare for technical or professional careers.
Contact Information
- Address: 108 High Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
- Phone: 401-767-4600
- Website: https://www.woonsocketschools.com
7Northwest Phlebotomy School
About the School
Northwest Phlebotomy School offers phlebotomy and IV training classes.
The Phlebotomy class consists of two or three-day courses that blend lectures and lab work to provide students with knowledge on a variety of venipuncture techniques.
The course includes anatomy and physiology, phlebotomy techniques, equipment, and considerations of patient demographics.
The curriculum also emphasizes safety, preventing needlestick injuries, and preventing the transmission of blood-borne pathogens.
The class concludes with a one-day practical exam.
The program is available in Providence and costs between $675 and $775, depending on the time of enrollment.
Contact Information
- Address: 166 Valley St building 6M Suite 103 Providence RI 02909
- Phone: 360-522-3226
- Website: https://www.nwphlebotomyschool.com/location/providence
8Lincoln Tech
About the School
Lincoln Tech offers a variety of training programs designed to help students enter a new profession.
The training programs available at the school include:
- Dental Assistant
- Electrical & Electronics Training
- HVAC
- Practical Nursing
- Medical Assistant
The Medical Assistant program teaches classes in anatomy and physiology, health administration, pharmacology, and more.
Students learn how to take vital signs, read and update charts, apply surgical dressings, and practice phlebotomy tasks.
The program covers hands-on experience working with equipment such as EKG machines, injection simulators autoclaves, lung function tests, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 622 George Washington Highway, Lincoln, RI 02865
- Phone: (401) 334-2430
- Website: https://www.lincolntech.edu
9Empower Training Academy
Empower Training Academy offers a Nursing Assistant training program focused on developing careers and fostering nursing assistants equipped with the skills, knowledge, and compassion needed for today’s healthcare landscape.
The programs are designed to develop work ethics, habits, and values that enable students to excel in their professional endeavors.
The Nurse Assistance training program includes:
80 hours of classroom training- completed in 20 days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
40 hours of clinical training- for five days, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Courses Offered
The program covers:
- Nursing skills
- Social service needs
- Personal care
- Rehabilitative services
- Mental health
- Infection control
After completing the program, students are well-prepared for the state certification exam and a new career.
Contact Information
- Address: 1160 Post Rd, Warwick, RI
- Phone: (401) 216-8889
- Website: https://www.empowertrainings.org
10Saint Elizabeth Community
Saint Elizabeth Community is a nonprofit charitable organization focused on providing excellent care and services.
Courses Offered
Saint Elizabeth Community also offers CNA training classes that prepare students to become Certified Nursing Assistants.
The courses consist of classroom work and clinical experience.
Instructors work with students to prepare them for state certification exams.
CNA class graduates are required to maintain employment with State Elizabeth Community in a staff position with a minimum of 24 scheduled hours per week for one year after graduation.
Contact Information
- Address: 2364 Post Road, Suite 100, Warwick, RI 02886
- Phone: (401)-859-2577
- Website: https://stelizabethcommunity.org
Regional Salary in Rhode Island
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 9,350 | $43,160 | $20.75 | $50,610 | $36,620 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you live in Rhode Island and you want to start a rewarding career in the healthcare field, a Patient Care Technician training program can prepare you for entry-level employment in this field in only a few months.
Now that you have read your selection of the best PCT training options available in your region, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
