Trade Schools
If you’re a compassionate person and you want to start a rewarding career in the healthcare field, the Patient Care Technician profession is worth exploring.
PCTs are usually responsible for completing tasks such as:
- Taking vital signs
- Helping patients with daily tasks
- Taking blood samples
- Preparing patients for procedures
- Reporting changes to patients’ conditions to nurses or physicians
- Assisting doctors and nurses with basic medical procedures
- 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 in this field can be completed in only a few months 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 in the state of Washington.
1Edmonds College
About the School
Edmonds College offers a Patient Care Technician/Emergency Room Technician Certificate program.
The program equips students with a variety of skills, including:
- Basic clinical skills
- Patient hygiene
- Vital signs
- Blood collection
- EKG’s
After completing this program, students will prepare for positions like:
- Nursing Assistant/Acute Care Nursing Assistant
- Patient Care Technician/Emergency Room Technician
- Electrocardiography (EKG) Technician/Cardiac Monitor Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Human Body
- Medical Terminology
- Emergency Room Technician
- Certified Nursing Assistant: Basic Patient Care
- Certified Nursing Assistant: Basic Skills Lab
- Certified Nursing Assistant: Clinical Externship
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 20000 68th Ave. W Lynnwood, WA 98036
- Phone: 425.640.1459
- Website: https://www.edmonds.edu
2Green River College
About the School
Green River College offers an Emergency Room and Patient Care Technician program that can be completed in six months and awards 30 credits.
This program costs $4,300.
The program requirements include:
- Being at least 18 years of age prior to graduation date and licensure
The training covers basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, ethical, legal, and regulatory issues, safety measures, infection control, special collections, and patient care.
The program is available in person.
Students prepare for tasks such as:
- Measuring and recording patients’ vital signs
- Assisting patients with basic activities
- Accurately documenting patient care activities, vital signs, and other relevant information
- Performing initial assessments of patients entering the emergency room
- Obtaining and recording vital signs
- Assisting with basic medical procedures
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 12401 SE 320TH Street Auburn, WA 98092
- Phone: 253-833-9111
- Website: https://www.greenriver.edu
3Pima Medical Institute
Pima Medical Institute offers six certificate and three associate degree programs at its Renton Campus.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- And more
The Medical Assistant program can be completed in nine months.
Through hands-on training and equipment that mirrors real-world settings, students learn:
- How to properly interface with patients
- Record vital signs
- Collect/prepare laboratory specimens
- Instruct patients about medications
- Draw blood
- Perform injections
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 555 S. Renton Village Place, Renton, WA98057
- Phone: 800-477-PIMA
- Website: https://pmi.edu
4Prince George's Community College
About the School
Prince George’s Community College offers a Patient Care Technician program that helps students advance their Certified Nursing Assistant certification.
The 12-week Patient Care Technician program provides training in:
- Anatomy and physiology of major body systems
- Medical Terminology
- Legal/Ethical issues
- Phlebotomy
- Electrocardiograms
- Glucose monitoring
- Basic wound care
- And more
Students must have an active, certified nurse assistant license.
They will be eligible to complete the National Healthcareer Association PCT state exam upon completing the program.
A six-week Patient Care Technician apprenticeship was established in collaboration with TranZed Apprenticeship Services, Employ PG AIP, the Health Wellness and Hostility Division, the Nursing Department, and the nursing continuing education program.
Contact Information
- Address: 301 Largo Road, Largo, MD 20774
- Phone: 301-546-PGCC
- Website: https://www.pgcc.edu
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
6Health Professionals Institute
Health Professionals Institute educates health professionals in the Greater Seattle Area.
Courses Offered
The following hybrid/online courses are available at the institute:
- Medical Assistant
- Medication Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
- ECG Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- And more
The Phlebotomy Technician program prepares students to work directly with patients during the blood-drawing process.
This 12-week course includes 300 hours of training:
- 70 hours of classroom time
- 70 hours of laboratory simulation
- 160 hours of externship
The phlebotomist’s duties include:
- Collecting patients’ blood samples
- Labeling vials with patient names and dates
- Interpreting requested labs
- Delivering specimens to labs
- Working directly with patients and offering excellent care
Tuition for this program is $3,500.
Contact Information
- Address: 33305 1st Way South B-100, Federal Way, WA 98003
- Phone: 253-252-3956
- Website: https://healthprofessionalsinstitute.com
7Washington Care Academy
Washington Care Academy offers Home Care Aide Training, Nurse Delegation, Dementia and Mental Health Specialty Training, and continuing education classes.
The school provides online interactive training software and in-class learning content.
Courses Offered
The following specialty training programs are available:
- Dementia Level 1 Specialty Training – eight hours of training
- Mental Health Level 1 Specialty Training- eight hours
- Nurse Delegation Core Basic: Self-Study Course- nine hours
- Nurse Delegation: Special focus Diabetes Course- three hours
The following continued education courses are also available:
- Diabetes Training
- Infection Control & Blood-Borne Pathogens
- Multiple Sclerosis Training
- Nutrition and Food Training
- Stroke Training
- And more
Contact Information
- Website: https://washingtoncareacademy.com
8ProCare Academy
ProCare Academy provides CNA training that prepares students for careers in the healthcare field.
The program consists of comprehensive lectures, labs, and clinical practice in a professional and supportive learning environment.
The curriculum meets all Washington State OBRA requirements and can be completed in less than a month.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the academy:
- Certified Nursing Assistant Program
- HCA Bridge CNA Program
- CPR/HIV Training
- Nurse Delegation
Contact Information
- Address: 3773 A Martin Way E, Ste 102, Olympia, WA 98506
- Phone: 888-960-2553
- Website: https://procareacademy.org
9DaVita: Patient Care Technician
About the School
The DaVita: Patient Care Technician program offers paid, extensive training that allows students to join a holistic team of care professionals.
Shifts are scheduled well in advance and are 8-12 hours in length.
Teammates work 3-4 days per week and are expected to work rotated Saturdays.
Students can expect the following:
- Direct Patient Care: they spend the majority of their day in direct one-on-one patient care to provide safe, comfortable, and hygienic dialysis treatment
- Technician Duties: students learn how to monitor patients before, during, and after dialysis treatment
- Building long-term relationships
- Team: cross-functional teams of clinicians that include technicians, nurses, dietitians, social workers and leadership
Contact Information
- Address: 1414 31st Ave S., Ste. 302, Seattle, WA 98144
- Phone: (206) 800-8025
- Website: https://waopportunityscholarship.org
10California State University Bakersfield
About the School
California State University Bakersfield offers Online Patient Care Training that prepares students to become technicians focused on direct patient care and support in a hospital, clinic, long-term facility, or home health care.
Eligible students receive a 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 Medical Certification Association.
The program costs $2,999 and includes 335 hours of instruction.
The course objectives include:
- Communicating using proper medical terminology with the interdisciplinary team
- The legal, ethical, and professional standards within the role of the PCT
- Providing individualized basic nursing care
- The knowledge to pass certification exams
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, California 93311-1022
- Phone: (661) 654-2441
- Website: https://extended.csub.edu
Regional Salary in Washington
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 840 | $44,730 | $21.51 | $57,490 | $38,320 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 1,020 | $44,640 | $21.46 | $51,280 | $38,840 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 1,470 | $45,120 | $21.69 | $55,430 | $38,780 |
| Longview, WA | 540 | $44,290 | $21.29 | $54,140 | $37,050 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 550 | $44,830 | $21.55 | $51,440 | $39,270 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 1,010 | $44,380 | $21.34 | $51,120 | $38,510 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 20,730 | $48,320 | $23.23 | $55,750 | $40,980 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 3,310 | $43,230 | $20.78 | $49,000 | $37,260 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 410 | $42,600 | $20.48 | $49,360 | $37,250 |
| Wenatchee, WA | 510 | $44,560 | $21.42 | $57,270 | $38,600 |
| Yakima, WA | 1,480 | $42,620 | $20.49 | $47,960 | $37,670 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a compassionate person and you want to start a career in the healthcare field without spending many years in post-secondary education, the Patient Care Technician profession may be the right fit for you.
Now that you have read our list of the best PCT training programs in Washington, the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best suits your schedule, budget, and learning style.
