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By becoming a patient care technician (PCT) you can further your career opportunities and better help patients.
Some responsibilities of a PCT include providing patient care, performing safety checks, and monitoring patient vital signs.
Most PCT programs in Maryland take about three months to complete and cost between $1,000 and $2,000.
For many programs in Maryland, you must first be a certified nurse assistant (CNA) before completing a PCT program.
In some cases, your employer may cover the cost of your training.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become a Patient Care Technician in Maryland
Patient care technician requirements can vary from one job to the next.
In most cases, you will need a high school diploma or GED and a patient care technician certification.
Most PCTs have a high school diploma, while some have an associate’s degree and others have a bachelor’s degree.
Other job requirements may include having a flexible schedule, being able to work twelve-hour shifts, and having strong social skills.
In many cases, employees in Maryland work as CNAs before becoming PCT.
Most PCT training programs require students to have their CNA licenses before beginning their training.
In some cases, you will need to take and pass the Patient Care Technician Exam after completing a PCT training program.
Most PCT programs will qualify you to sit for the PCT exam.
If you are training to become a PCT and are not yet employed, consider taking the exam to increase your job prospects.
The exam asks questions in the following areas: patient care, safety, professional responsibilities, infection control, phlebotomy, and EKG monitoring.
According to the 2020 Industry Outlook, more than 70% of employers either require or prefer PCT certification for their employees.
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in Maryland
Many community colleges in Maryland offer PCT training programs.
Students complete most programs via either two or three courses. Many colleges offer a combination of in-person and online learning.
Anne Arundel Community College (AACC)
At Anne Arundel Community College, the PCT program consists of two courses; one focuses on theory and the other is a lab course.
The total cost for those who live in Anne Arundel County is $1,541.
Each course takes about a month and a half to complete, for a total of three months for the program.
In order to begin the program, you must be employed as a CNA with an active license.
Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute (TKHI)
The program at Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute only takes about a month and a half to complete, and the total cost of the program is $1,695.
To enter the program, you must have a high school diploma or GED and have a CNA certification in Maryland.
Some skills you will learn in TKHI’s program include performing glucose checks, performing urinary catheterization, and performing blood draws.
College of Southern Maryland (CSM)
The PCT program at CSM consists of three courses.
Students learn advanced skills in a hybrid format with in-person, remote, and asynchronous learning opportunities.
The program takes about three months to complete, and courses cost $2,119 in total.
In the last course of this program, you will take practice exams as well as a final exam that will help prepare you for the PCT certification exam.
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)
At CCBC, you can become a PCT in four months, with either evening or daytime classes.
The total cost for the three courses in the program is $2,255.
By the end of the program, you are expected to be able to sit for the PCT certification exam, complete nursing skills such as wound care, and take on a PCT role in a hospital setting.
Prince George’s Community College
To enter into the PCT program at Prince George’s, you must first have your CNA license.
The total cost for the program (including a textbook) is $1,275.
The program consists of two courses that take about two and a half months to complete.
Some of the training in this program includes phlebotomy, electrocardiograms, wound care, and catheter care.
Patient Care Technician Schools in Maryland – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) | 101 College Pkwy, Arnold, MD 21012 |
| Top Knowledge Healthcare Institute (TKHI) | 11 E Mt Royal Ave Suite 001, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
| College of Southern Maryland (CSM) | 8730 Mitchell Rd, La Plata, MD 20646 |
| Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) | 7201 Rossville Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21237-3899 |
| Prince George’s Community College | 301 Largo Rd, Largo, MD 20774 |
Patient Care Technician Salary in Maryland
In Maryland, PCTs can expect to make between $31,015 and $39,811 with an average yearly salary of $35,413.
This is lower than the national average but higher than the salary of a CNA.
CNAs who would like to further their career and earn a higher salary could benefit from becoming a PCT.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $35,496 |
| Frederick | $37,089 |
| Gaithersburg | $38,334 |
| Bowie | $38,357 |
| Rockville | $38,392 |
| Hagerstown | $35,003 |
| Annapolis | $36,588 |
| College Park | $38,438 |
| Salisbury | $36,808 |
| Cumberland | $31,684 |
Regional Salary in Maryland
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 13,700 | $36,830 | $17.71 | $46,930 | $30,410 |
| California-Lexington Park, MD | 270 | $37,630 | $18.09 | $46,730 | $31,200 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | 500 | $32,290 | $15.53 | $35,450 | $28,090 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 1,110 | $35,630 | $17.13 | $44,970 | $28,580 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | 1,820 | $35,080 | $16.87 | $40,580 | $29,370 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Sources
- https://www.cambridgehealth.edu/blog/what-training-do-you-need-to-become-a-patient-care-technician/
- https://www.csmd.edu/programs-courses/non-credit/workforce-training/healthcare/patient-care-technician.html
- https://www.pgcc.edu/go/patientcare/
- https://www.aacc.edu/course-search/?keywords=opa-360&isAvailable=show+available+sections+only
- https://tkhci.com/program/program-pct-training-program/#section-1
- https://www.nhanow.com/certification/nha-certifications/certified-patient-care-technician-assistant-(cpct-a)
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/listing/patient-care-technician-salary
- https://www.indeed.com/career/patient-care-technician/career-advice
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/certified-nursing-assistant-long-term-care-salary/md
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the PCT exam in Maryland?
The PCT exam consists of 100 questions.
You will be given one hour and 50 minutes to complete the test.
This allows you 1.1 minutes to complete each question on the test.
Where can a PCT work in Maryland?
PCTs typically work in hospital settings.
Some hospitals in Maryland include Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and Anne Arundel Medical Center.
Does a PCT make more than a CNA in Maryland?
Yes.
The average salary for a PCT in Maryland is $35,413 and the average salary for a CNA in Maryland is $32,291.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State
I’m waiting for my exam and I hope I can pass it. If not. I will try another program in a different school, thanks for this!
AACC is the best choice for me since it is near my apartment but I will call them first for requirements, I hope I can enroll next semester.
I’ve been looking for a program everywhere so I researched and stumbled to this post. Thank you for compiling this!