Patient care technician jobs in Florida are an excellent fit for individuals who want to pursue promising healthcare careers.
Education and Training
Obtaining an official certification can help you qualify for higher-paying positions in this role.
How Will You Benefit From the Program?
The course will prepare you for certification from one of the following:
NHA’s Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A)
or
AMCA’s Patient Care Technician (PCTC) certification exam
What Do You Study?
Typical classes include:
- Medical Terminology
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Fundamentals of Patient Care and Treatment
- Medical Recordkeeping
- Hospital and Medical Setting Procedures
- EKG Operation and Interpretation
- Injections and Phlebotomy
- Clinical Nursing Practices
Students also learn how to communicate with patients and develop a comforting yet professional bedside manner.
How Long Does It Take?
The 325 hour course takes about 12 months to complete
How Much Does it Cost?
The courses above cost about $2800 which can be paid for in monthly installments.
Other Local Trade Schools with PCT Programs
- Hialeah, Miami
- Hialeah, Miami, Hialeah,
- Miami
- Eustis
- Bradenton
- Orlando, Pinellas Park, Tavares
- Sarasota
- Panama City
Compu-Med (Rating: 4.5 out 5)
Florida National University (Rating: 3.6 out 5)
FVI School Nursing & Technology (Rating: 4.9 out 5)
FVI’s Patient Care Technician program is a 30-week, bilingual course blending online instruction with hands-on campus training, preparing students for roles in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics. The program covers essential skills like phlebotomy, nursing assistance, and home health care, with personalized support and job placement assistance. Financial aid and licensure preparation help graduates confidently enter the healthcare industry.
Lake Technical College (Rating: 4 out 5)
The Patient Care Technician program at Lake Technical College aims to prepare students for successful entry into the healthcare workforce. The 600-hour program, completed over approximately 20 weeks, provides thorough hands-on training in professional ethics, emergency response, EKG, phlebotomy skills, and assisting with restorative and rehabilitative care. Graduates can earn certifications in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), EKG, Phlebotomy (CPT), and Home Health Aide (HHA). Recent employers of graduates include Avante at Mt. Dora, Central Florida Health, and South Lake Hospital.
Manatee Technical College (Rating: 4.2 out 5)
Southern Technical Institute (Rating: 4.9 out 5)
PCA diploma program that includes classroom training and clinical experiences.
Sun Coast Technical College (Rating: 4.1 out 5)
Tom P Haney Technical College (Rating: 3.7 out 5)
Florida PCT Requirements
An official Certified Nursing Assistant credential from the Florida State Board of Nursing is the minimum requirement for those hoping to become patient care technicians in FL. Having this certification shows you have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely and adequately perform patient care duties.
License Qualifications
To obtain a CNA license in FL, you’ll need to submit the following:
- Proof of age and identity, certifying that you are at least 18 years old
- A copy of your high school diploma, GED, or equivalent AND/OR a certificate or diploma from an approved CNA or PCT training program
- Completed application form and fees
- An electronic fingerprinting report from your Livescan background screening
Scheduling a Test Date
Within 72 hours of submitting these documents, you’ll receive:
- Your testing eligibility status
- A scheduled test date that falls within a period of seven to 14 business days
- An admission ticket to take your Prometric nursing assistant competency examination
It takes about 72 hours to receive your exam scores. Those who pass their tests will get their physical CNA license within seven to 14 business days and can qualify for entry-level patient care technician jobs in Florida.
Patient Care Technician License
A Certified Patient Care Technician credential (CPCT) is optional in FL. However, having this certification is an excellent way to stand out among other patient care techs when applying for jobs.
Some employers might even require candidates to have this additional certification before starting the hiring process.
National Healthcareer Association
Most people hoping to become certified patient care technicians in FL take their certification exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To be eligible to take this test, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Show proof of graduation from a patient care tech training or education program within the last five years OR evidence of at least one year of supervised patient care technician work experience
Once you submit the necessary documents and pass your exam, you can start applying for patient care technician jobs in Florida clinics, research hospitals, and long-term care facilities.
Patient Care Tech Externships
To earn your certificate or diploma from a patient care tech school in Florida, you’ll need to complete an externship at a local clinic or care facility. Students perform the duties they’ve learned about in class to gain hands-on training during these programs.
Salary
According to Indeed.com, the average salary in the state is $45,960. This number might be a bit high, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports $36,750 as the average.
Below is some more data from the BLS for areas of the state.
| Area | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | $18.02 | $37,490.00 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | $17.18 | $35,730.00 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | $16.77 | $34,870.00 |
| Gainesville | $18.11 | $37,660.00 |
| Homosassa Springs | $15.85 | $32,970.00 |
| Jacksonville | $17.86 | $37,150.00 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | $16.70 | $34,730.00 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $17.93 | $37,300.00 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island | $18.35 | $38,160.00 |
| North FL | $16.97 | $35,290.00 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton | $18.61 | $38,700.00 |
| Ocala | $16.34 | $33,980.00 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $17.92 | $37,270.00 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | $16.81 | $34,960.00 |
| Panama City | $17.30 | $35,980.00 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $16.32 | $33,950.00 |
| Port St. Lucie | $16.76 | $34,860.00 |
| Punta Gorda | $16.88 | $35,110.00 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach | $17.51 | $36,430.00 |
| Sebring | $16.34 | $33,980.00 |
| South FL | $17.39 | $36,180.00 |
| Tallahassee | $15.12 | $31,440.00 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $17.93 | $37,300.00 |
| The Villages | $16.62 | $34,570.00 |
Occupation: Nursing Assistants (SOC Code311131)
source: data.bls.gov
PCTs who work in home care or find jobs in private-practice doctor’s offices typically make more than those in hospitals and government-funded nursing facilities. You may also be able to earn performance-based raises that boost your annual earnings even higher.
Job Description
What Do They Do?
A patient care technician in Florida performs many of the same tasks as a certified nursing assistant.
However, in addition to monitoring vital signs, providing emotional support, and helping patients bathe, groom, dress, and feed themselves, these healthcare employees are responsible for:
- Cleaning wounds and changing bandages
- Inserting catheters
- Turning bed-bound patients to prevent pressure sores
- Helping patients with mobility issues
- Collecting fluid samples and specimens
- Administering prescribed medications
Other Career to PCT
Some people choose to complete on-the-job training and work their way up from another entry-level healthcare or nursing position, such as:
- Phlebotomist
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- EKG Tech
- Medical Assistant
Career Outlook
Like other professions in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Nursing Assistants and Orderlies category, patient care tech job opportunities are likely to increase by about five percent between 2021 and 2031. Many patient care technicians in Florida eventually move on to LPN and RN careers, providing more job openings for newly-certified techs.