Trade Schools
If you want to become a healthcare professional who provides daily care to patients, the Patient Care Technician profession is worth exploring.
As a PCT you may find employment in a hospital, clinic, long-term care facility, or another healthcare setting where you will be responsible for completing tasks such as:
- Taking vital signs
- Helping to move patients
- Taking blood samples
- Preparing patients for procedures
- Reporting changes to patients’ conditions to nurses or physicians
- And more
Before being ready to apply for a job in this field, you will need at least a high school diploma or GED.
Additional education requirements vary depending on the state and place of employment.
Most programs that prepare you for certification as a Patient Care Technician can be completed in less than a year and combine classroom education with hands-on training.
To help you choose the program and the format that best fits your learning style and career aspirations, on this page, we have compiled information about the best Patient Care Technician training program available to South Dakota residents.
1Western Dakota Technical College
Western Dakota Technical College offers accelerated eight-week courses for students who want to fulfill prerequisites, catch up on credits, or fast-track their career program.
Courses Offered
The following Health Sciences programs are available at the college:
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
- Allied Health
- Dental Assisting
- Health Information Management
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Phlebotomy/Laboratory Assistant
- Practical Nursing
- Registered Nursing
- And more
The Phlebotomy/Laboratory Assistant program prepares students for entry-level positions as phlebotomists in the medical field.
The certificate provides students with the didactic and clinical training needed to meet the eligibility requirements for the national certification exams.
The Lab Assistant diploma is a two-semester program.
The Phlebotomy program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 Mickelson Dr. Rapid City, SD 57703
- Phone: (800) 544-8765
- Website: https://www.wdt.edu
2Southeast Technical College
Southeast Technical College offers more than 65 pathways in today’s most innovative fields.
The career-focused programs are developed collaboratively with area industry leaders.
The college’s faculty brings real-world experience to their teaching and prepares students with the skills they need to jump-start their careers in two years or less.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the college:
- Allied Health Certificate
- Dental Assisting
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Coding
- Medical Lab Technician
- Nursing: Certified Nursing Assistant Course
- Respiratory Therapy
- Phlebotomy Technician Certificate
- Surgical Technology
- And more
The Medical Assistant program is designed to be completed in one year, awards 41 credits, and leads to a diploma.
Students learn how to take vital signs, perform blood draws, record patient history, and give injections.
They also prepare for other tasks, including maintaining medical records, coding for insurance billing, and scheduling appointments.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the CMA (AAMA) exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
- Phone: 800-247-0789
- Website: https://www.southeasttech.edu
3Lake Area Technical College
About the School
Lake Area Technical College offers 31 academic programs in high-demand fields.
Hybrid e-degrees are also available at the college.
The hybrid programs blend online and on-campus learning.
Among many other programs, the college provides the following pathways:
- Emergency Medical Technician Online Certificate
- Paramedic Option
- Medical Assisting Hybrid E-Degree Option
- Nursing Hybrid E-Degree Option
- Registered Nursing Hybrid E-Degree Option
- And more
The Medical Assisting program prepares students for administrative duties such as:
- Receiving patients
- Performing numerous office duties
- Administering first aid
Medical assisting clinical duties include:
- Helping patients prepare for examinations
- Assisting the doctor
- Cleaning and sterilizing instruments and equipment
Contact Information
- Address: 1201 Arrow Ave. Watertown, SD 57201
- Phone: 605-882-5284
- Website: https://www.lakeareatech.edu
4Walters State Community College
Patient Care Technician programs are also available online, at schools located in other states.
About the School
Walters State Community College offers several patient care training programs.
The following options are available:
- Certified Nurse Aide
- Clinical Medical Assistant Training Program
- EKG Technician
- Patient Care Training Program
- Phlebotomy Technician
The Patient Care Training program is a 24-week online certification training program that equips students with the knowledge and skills to work directly with patients in various healthcare settings.
The curriculum includes the following courses:
- Professionalism in Allied Health
- Fundamentals of Patient Care
- Electrocardiography
- Phlebotomy
- Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology
Students need a high school diploma or GED.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Patient Care Technician exam through the National Healthcareer Association.
Contact Information
- Address: 500 South Davy Crockett Parkway Morristown, TN 37813-6899
- Phone: 423.585.2600
- Website: https://www.campusce.net
5Lanier Technical College
About the School
Lanier Technical College offers online Patient Care training.
After successfully completing this program students become technicians focused on direct patient care and support within a hospital, clinic, long-term care facility, or home health care.
Eligible students receive a complimentary voucher to sit for either the CPCT certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association or the Patient Care Technician certification exam offered by the American Medical Certification Association.
Students prepare for duties such as:
- Checking and recording patient blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse
- Listening to patient concerns, answering questions, and providing guidance
- Moving, positioning, or turning patients as needed
- Helping patients dress and use the bathroom
- Escorting patients for tests or procedures
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 408 Highway 9 North, Dawsonville, GA 30534
- Phone: 706-216-5461 or 678-513-5200
- Website: https://www.laniertech.edu
6University of North Dakota
An online Patient Care Technician program is also available at The University of North Dakota.
Students prepare for the Certified Patient Care Technician certification exam through the National Healthcareer Association or for the Patient Care Technician certification through the American Medical Certification Association.
This self-paced program costs $2,795 and includes 325 course hours.
The course can be taken on a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Courses Offered
The syllabus includes courses such as:
- Medical Terminology
- Law, Ethics, and Healthcare
- Infection Control and Safety Precautions
- Workplace and Patient Safety
- Organization of the Human Body
- Pharmacology
- Patient Positioning and Bed Mobility
- And more
Students also need a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency for certification and the completion of a patient care technician training or education program.
Contact Information
- Address: O’Kelly Hall Room 300, 221 Centennial Dr. Stop 9021, Grand Forks, ND 58202 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.und.edu/training-programs/patient-care-technician-vouchers-included
7Lakeland University
About the School
Located in Wisconsin, Lakeland University offers a Patient Care Technician program that prepares students for employment as crucial healthcare professionals who play a vital role in assisting nurses and other medical staff in providing care to patients.
After completing this fully online patient care technician program, students are ready to become technicians focused on direct patient care and support in a hospital, clinic, long-term care facility, or home health care setting.
Eligible students receive a complimentary voucher to sit for either the Certified Patient Care Technician certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association or the Patient Care Technician certification exam offered by the American Certification Association.
The course has the following objectives:
- Demonstrating characteristics of a healthcare professional by using proper medical terminology with the interdisciplinary team
- The legal, ethical, and professional standards within the role of a PCT
- Providing individualized basic nursing care to a diverse population of patients
- Applying problem-solving and critical thinking skills within the PCT scope of practice
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: W3718 South Drive, Plymouth, WI 53073
- Phone: 920-565-1000
- Website: https://lakeland.edu
8Rasmussen University
Located in the neighboring state of North Dakota, Rasmussen University offers 50 career-focused programs in nursing, business, technology, and more.
The university offers programs that are available fully online and programs that also include on-campus classes.
Courses Offered
The following health sciences programs are available at the university:
- Health and Wellness
- Health Information Management
- Health Information Technician
- Master of Healthcare Administration
- Master of Public Health
- Healthcare
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Medical Billing and Coding
The university also offers nursing programs that lead to Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, or post-graduate Nursing Certificates.
Contact Information
- Address: 012 19th Avenue South, Fargo, North Dakota 58103
- Phone: 800-817-0009
- Website: https://www.rasmussen.edu
9Phlebotomy Career Training
About the School
Phlebotomy Career Training offers a Patient Care Technician Certification program that can be completed online.
This certificate program is designed for students who want to learn how to perform duties such as:
- Performing cardiograms
- Drawing blood
- Making a patient’s bed
- Setting up feeding tubes
- Passing medications
- Charting
- And more
Students also prepare for tasks such as:
- Taking vital signs
- SOAP Note charting
- Infection control
- Assisting with minor surgical procedures
- Performing phlebotomies
- Medical supply management
- Organizing, scheduling patients, and other administrative tasks
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 15340 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126
- Phone: 888-410-6416
- Website: https://phlebotomycareertraining.com
10The College of Western Idaho
The College of Western Idaho provides an online, self-paced Patient Care Technician training program.
This program introduces students to the vital role patient care technicians play in the healthcare system.
Students learn under the supervision of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals and gain practical skills in patient care.
This program costs $3,799 and can be completed in three months.
Courses Offered
The program’s learning outcomes include:
- Basic Medical Procedures
- Bedside Care Skills
- Healthcare Team Collaboration
- Patient Monitoring & Assistance
- Certification Preparation
- National certification exams
Students must be at least 18 years of age.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 3010, Nampa, ID 83653
- Phone: 208.562.3000
- Website: https://cwi.edu
Regional Salary in South Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | 890 | $36,080 | $17.35 | $42,940 | $27,950 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 2,370 | $35,980 | $17.3 | $42,570 | $31,830 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Patient Care Technician programs are available in a variety of formats, both on-campus and online.
Now that you have read our selection of the best Patient Care Technician training programs in South Dakota, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program and the format that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
