Where Does a Patient Care Technician Work
Updated July 2023 by: Bridget Ramsey
Patient care technicians, also known as PCT’s can work in numerous different health care settings. PCT’s care for patients at a foundational level by helping their patients complete activities of daily living. Because PCT’s assist with basic patient care, they can be found in any setting where a person requires medical assistance. Patient care technicians can work in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, doctor’s offices, and they can provide home health care.
Nursing homes are a great place for PCT’s to begin their medical career. In a nursing home, PCT’s can get into a daily routine by providing activities of daily living to each resident under their care. Nursing homes are a great place to build long-term relationships with residents as these facilities are where residents reside permanently. Rehabilitation centers afford PCT’s the same opportunity to practice a wide range of medical skills. Patients at these facilities need extra help rehabilitating after a major trauma, stroke, or addiction and will likely be in a rehab facility from a few weeks to a few months. Nursing homes and rehabilitation centers offer PCT’s a long-term care structured approach in assisting their residents and patients.
Hospitals and doctor’s offices provide a much swifter and fast-paced work environment. If a PCT is working in the emergency room of a hospital they will most likely be expected to obtain and record vital signs, set up and capture an EKG, draw blood, and help their patients go to the bathroom. Working in a doctor’s office is another great work environment for a PCT. Doctor’s offices allow PCT’s to obtain vital signs and collect any necessary specimens or information for the medical provider before their patient’s exam. Hospitals and doctors' offices are great places to work if you enjoy caring for a high volume of patients.
Home health care is another unique job opportunity that a PCT could fulfill. Some clients prefer to live at home but need extra assistance with certain tasks. A patient care technician who works for a home health care agency is able to travel to different clients' homes to provide individualized care for each of their clients. This job opportunity is great if you love working in a new environment every day.
Overall, patient care technicians can work in a wide variety of healthcare settings from hospitals to homes and everywhere in between. PCT’s play a critical role in providing excellent medical care no matter what the setting may be. If you are interested in a rewarding career in the health care sector with the flexibility to work in a variety of settings, then a career as a PCT may be right for you! Start your online PCT training today!
