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As you consider a career as a patient care technician in Georgia, note that this is a popular field to get into in this state.
Plenty of opportunities for training are available, especially around metro Atlanta.
Additionally, you can anticipate making the most money when working in the big cities in this state over rural towns.
That being said, you can take advantage of an internship while in school to be a patient care technician that could land you your first paid job.
Start here with these top schools for training as a PCT along with salary information.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Licensing Requirements to Become a Patient Care Technician in Georgia
- 2 5 Patient Care Technician Schools in Georgia
- 3 Salary for Patient Care Technicians in Georgia
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions
- 4.1 Do students need to pass an exam to be a patient care tech in Georgia?
- 4.2 Do I need to have a GED or high school diploma in order to start a school program for PCT in GA?
- 4.3 Are the schools in Georgia accredited for providing patient care technician training?
- 4.4 What is the environment like for going to school in Georgia?
- 4.5 Is it easy to get around in Atlanta on the public transportation when going to college?
Licensing Requirements to Become a Patient Care Technician in Georgia
In order to become a licensed patient care technician in Georgia, start with training.
The schools and state employers accept and recognize the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certification Exam for anyone with training as a patient care technician.
Once you have completed a college-level training program and have a certificate or diploma, you can become a licensed patient care technician.
Simply know enough about the field to be able to successfully pass the NHA Certification Exam and then maintain your credentials with certification in associated areas, such as First Aid/CPR/AED and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training.
Any applicable certifications that can help you advance your career as a hands-on patient care tech are going to be a valuable tool for you in this profession.
Additionally, you will need to have a clean criminal record, be in good physical fitness, and have compassion for others.
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in Georgia
Valdosta State University
At Valdosta State University (VSU), students are just 18 miles from the Florida line and can reside on a traditional four-year college campus.
They can also take patient care technician certification courses here.
Keep in mind that this class is 100 percent online and students will not actually be going to the campus.
The class does not have any prerequisites like they do at other schools, which can be beneficial.
The total cost for the program is $2,495 and upon completion, you receive a voucher to cover the costs of sitting for the Certified Patient Care Technician Level I Exam.
This exam is sufficient for students seeking employment as patient care technicians in Georgia.
This course is 12 months in length and includes 300 credit hours.
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University is a mid-level school in Georgia offering four-year degrees and a more traditional collegiate atmosphere.
This program is from the same provider of continuing education as VSU.
The only difference is the cost of the program–at GSU it is $2,595 to complete the course in 12 months.
The course is 300 credit hours in total.
Chattahoochee Technical College
Chattahoochee Technical College offers a program for patient care technicians at the Marietta and Appalachian campuses.
This results in earning a health care assistant certificate in advanced certified nurse assistant (CNA) training.
Applicants must already be CNAs before enrolling in the PCT program since this is advanced-level coursework.
Tuition for Chattahoochee Technical College is $100 per credit hour for in-state residents and $200 per credit hour for out-of-state residents.
Atlanta Career Institute
The Atlanta Career Institute is available to younger students at 16 and a GED or high school diploma is not required.
Students can earn a patient care assistant technical certificate from the school after completing the program.
The cost for attendance is $4,279, and there is a total of 23 credit hours.
Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta Technical College provides training for students 18 and older with a high school diploma or GED.
The training is $3,000 total and covers tuition and books.
Classes are offered in the mornings and evenings.
The programs range from 7.2 weeks to 10 weeks in length.
Patient Care Technician Schools in Georgia – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Valdosta State University | 1500 N Patterson St, Valdosta, GA 31698 |
| Georgia Southern University | 1332 Southern Dr, Statesboro, GA 30458 |
| Chattahoochee Technical College | 980 S Cobb Dr SE, Marietta, GA 30060 |
| Atlanta Career Institute | 5380 Peachtree Industrial Blvd #120, Norcross, GA 30071 |
| Atlanta Technical College | 1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 |
Salary for Patient Care Technicians in Georgia
$34,529 is the average salary for a patient care technician in the US.
Compare this to the Atlanta, Georgia salary for a patient care technician, which is $34,156 a year.
This is not very far off from the national scale.
The pay range for Atlanta, GA PCTs is $29,755 to $38,195 a year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $34,156 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $32,313 |
| Columbus | $31,403 |
| Savannah | $32,446 |
| Athens-Clarke County | $33,914 |
| Macon | $32,217 |
| Roswell | $34,027 |
| Albany | $31,740 |
| Marietta | $34,059 |
| Valdosta | $31,111 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | 760 | $32,740 | $15.74 | $36,440 | $21,700 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 630 | $30,210 | $14.53 | $36,730 | $22,880 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 20,820 | $35,610 | $17.12 | $48,570 | $26,090 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 2,720 | $30,790 | $14.8 | $37,870 | $23,180 |
| Brunswick, GA | 460 | $29,470 | $14.17 | $35,260 | $23,280 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 980 | $27,980 | $13.45 | $34,980 | $22,270 |
| Dalton, GA | 390 | $31,090 | $14.95 | $36,540 | $23,870 |
| Gainesville, GA | 1,060 | $31,580 | $15.18 | $39,240 | $23,950 |
| Hinesville, GA | 120 | $28,490 | $13.7 | $38,480 | $21,830 |
| Macon, GA | 1,520 | $30,090 | $14.46 | $36,600 | $22,870 |
| Rome, GA | 880 | $29,400 | $14.13 | $36,170 | $23,530 |
| Savannah, GA | 1,560 | $30,960 | $14.89 | $36,090 | $23,940 |
| Valdosta, GA | 700 | $27,720 | $13.33 | $34,950 | $21,970 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 690 | $29,660 | $14.26 | $36,180 | $22,660 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do students need to pass an exam to be a patient care tech in Georgia?
Yes, it is a requirement that students must pass the National Healthcare Association Certification Exam in order to be eligible for employment.
Do I need to have a GED or high school diploma in order to start a school program for PCT in GA?
Yes, you will be required to show proof of a high school diploma or GED before starting any of the academic programs listed in this article, and for most other programs in the state.
Are the schools in Georgia accredited for providing patient care technician training?
Yes, the schools, such as Valdosta State University and Georgia Southern University, are colleges with accreditations.
Other schools listed here should also be accredited.
What is the environment like for going to school in Georgia?
If you like hot, humid summers and autumns, then you will fall in love with the Hot-lanta weather.
The southern part of the state is more tropical, while the northern half of Georgia is cooler and can see snow in the winter months.
Is it easy to get around in Atlanta on the public transportation when going to college?
Yes, they have MARTA and other public transit opportunities for students attending college in and around Atlanta, GA.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State