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As someone living in the Northwest, finding employment in the medical industry can be tricky.
Start by selecting an area of study, such as a patient care technician.
This is a type of certified nursing training that allows students to specialize in patient care techniques.
Find out more about what to expect as a future Idaho patient care technician.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become a Patient Care Technician in Idaho
To become licensed as a patient care technician in Idaho, individuals must be 18 years old and have a GED or diploma.
They also will have to attend a specialized training program at a school or university as a patient care technician.
Some students in Idaho may also train or specialize in another area of study involving administrative and clinical patient work.
Following graduation, patient care technicians must take one of three national PCT certification exams, and the fee is about $150.
This includes a background screening and a requirement to prove one’s nationality before they are certificated.
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in Idaho
College of Western Idaho
The patient care technician program at the College of Western Idaho trains students for three months.
It is located in the Ada County Center Pintail Building
. The program includes an online component called Career Step™ that increases job readiness.
Students graduate with knowledge and preparations for the required certification exams for employment.
These include the certified patient care technician assistant exam or CPCT/A and the National Certified Care Technician examination for patient care technicians (NCPCT).
Students also train to sit for the PCT certification by the American Medical Certification Association.
The total cost is $3,499 and students must be at least 18 to apply to the program.
North Idaho College
At North Idaho College, students can take the advanced CNA program for certified patient care technicians.
This training is high level and allows certified nurses to advance their expertise.
The program takes place through the Workforce Training Center and is a certification course.
As of Summer 2022, the patient care technician training is $1,295 total and covers the textbooks and lab fees for the entire course.
This is a two-month-long program that runs part-time during the evening with class meetings twice a week.
College of Eastern Idaho
The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) Health and Human Services program features medical assistant training.
This area of study is similar in scope to patient care technicians.
A medical assistant manages health care tasks, including most aspects of patient care.
Students train in clinical skills, including taking vital signs and processing specimens, as well as assisting with minor surgery.
The college also prepares medical assistants with handling administrative skills.
The total time to complete the medical assisting program at CEI is two years.
Students graduate with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
Each student also has at least one summer’s worth of clinical.
The cost of attendance ranges from $14,154 to $22,352 and covers estimated fees for books, supplies, transportation, room, and personal expenses.
Carrington College
At Carrington College, students can attend the medical assisting program.
This program takes as few as nine months to complete, and students receive a certificate upon graduation.
Unlike a certified nursing assistant, a medical assistant works with clerical administration, as well as patient services.
This is very similar to the role of a patient care technician, and Idaho does not have a ton of strictly PCT programs.
Carrington College has several northeastern US locations, but the Idaho campus is in Boise.
Payment information is not available to the public.
College of Southern Idaho
Last but certainly not least, the College of Southern Idaho has a specialized Transgender Patient Care program.
This is a part of the CSI Workforce Development and Training center’s courses and training.
The certificate is only $25 and takes one day.
While this is not a complete patient care technician program, it is worth mentioning as one of the training types of patient care workers.
The school campus is in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Patient Care Technician Schools in Idaho – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| College of Western Idaho | 5500 E Opportunity Dr, Nampa, ID 83687 |
| North Idaho College | 1000 W Garden Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 |
| College of Eastern Idaho | 1600 S 25th E, Idaho Falls, ID 83404 |
| Carrington College | 1122 N Liberty St, Boise, ID 83704 |
| College of Southern Idaho | 315 Falls Ave, Twin Falls, ID 83301 |
Salary for a Patient Care Technician in Idaho
Patient care technician workers in Boise, Idaho can expect to earn an average of $32,156 a year.
Compare this to the lesser paid technicians living in Almo, ID, where the average patient care technician is $29,384.
In Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, PCTs make about the same at $29,488.
White Bird, ID is one of the better-paying cities in the state, where workers earn an average of $33,482 a year as patient care technicians.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boise | $32,156 |
| Nampa | $31,811 |
| Pocatello | $30,006 |
| Idaho Falls | $31,389 |
| Meridian | $32,122 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $33,010 |
| Twin Falls | $29,902 |
| Lewiston | $34,097 |
| Caldwell | $31,776 |
| Moscow | $33,010 |
Regional Salary in Idaho
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 2,870 | $37,190 | $17.88 | $45,250 | $30,840 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 720 | $35,450 | $17.05 | $43,630 | $30,920 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 420 | $32,240 | $15.5 | $37,910 | $25,330 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | 370 | $35,530 | $17.08 | $39,300 | $30,140 |
| Pocatello, ID | 370 | $32,280 | $15.52 | $35,010 | $28,170 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 500 | $34,020 | $16.36 | $37,740 | $29,440 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Old Must Students be to Enter a Patient Care Technician Training Program in Idaho?
In Idaho, like most US states, students applying for a patient care technician training program must be at least 18 years of age.
This involves another requirement–being a high school graduate or having a GED, both of which also require individuals to be the age of a legal adult.
The age restriction is also important based on the anticipated requirements of employers in the health care field.
Can Individuals in Idaho Take Online Training to Become a Patient Care Technician in Idaho?
Yes, individuals are able to take online training programs to prepare for patient care technician jobs.
According to Idaho Works, there is a 100 percent online training program by MedCerts.
IdahoWorks states this program is applicable to those who want to become ID patient care technicians.
Students in Idaho can take this out-of-state, Michigan-based training in an e-distance learning setting.
The cost is $4,000 for any student.
There is no financial aid available, and students must have a high school diploma or GED.
The total training is 24 weeks long and 384 hours.
What Kind of Companies Hire Idaho Patient Care Technicians?
Some of the employers that hire Idaho patient care technicians include Nuclear Care Partners in Kuna, DaVita Kidney Care in Boise, and West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State
After completing your training, it’s essential to pass any required certification exams, such as the Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) exam.
Apply for patient care tech positions in healthcare facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, or clinics, and continue your education and training to advance your career in patient care.