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Patient care technicians (PTC) are responsible for measuring and documenting the vital signs of a patient.
In addition to this, the PCT is responsible for transporting patients to new locations, turning the patient, and/or moving the patient as per patient needs or for medical reasons.
This job requires that the candidate has a high level of empathy, patience, and the ability to work well with others.
For candidates with a high level of empathy, this may be a very rewarding job.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become A Patient Care Technician in Massachusetts
Candidates must first select an accredited program and meet the entry requirements for that program.
Once an appropriate training course has been selected, the candidate must complete and pass the course before showing proof to the National Healthcare Association (NHA) to be able to sit for the national exam.
Examinations are conducted at the Prometric testing centers.
Some online courses include a voucher that covers the fee for the exam.
Alternatively, the fee is $149.
Candidates are deemed certified upon successful completion of the exam.
However, to qualify for the examination, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Graduate from a recognized course
- Candidates must be 18 or older
- A high school diploma or GED
- Show proof of citizenship
- Pay an exam fee of $149
- Produce a set of fingerprints
Most courses run between three and nine months.
Candidates must be registered with the Massachusetts Nursing Aide Registry.
This is compulsory, as, without it, candidates will not get hired.
PCTs are able to work unsupervised in this state.
The entry requirements for an accredited course in this state are the following:
- Older than 18
- Pass a background check
- Pass a drug screening
- Pass a TB skin test
Candidates must have completed the following immunizations:
- Varicella
- Flu
- Hepatitis B
- MMR
- Tetanus
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in Massachusetts
The following schools offer a certificate course online or in-class.
1. Bunker Hill Community College
The school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and offers a 26-credit certificate course that runs over two semesters.
The course is only offered at the Chelsea Campus and start dates are in the spring and fall.
During the course, students are exposed to hospitals and long-term care facilities where they gain clinical experience, lab practice, and classroom teaching.
This is aimed at preparing the student to deliver empathetic, effective, and accurate patient care.
In-state students pay $220 per credit hour and out-of-state students pay $426 per credit hour.
2. Middlesex Community College
The school offers a patient care technician certificate course for Certified Nurse Aides to advance their existing skills.
This course is approximately 60 hours and the tuition for in-state students is $266.00 and $800.00 per credit hour for out-of-state students.
Apart from the standard entry requirements, this course also requires that students be CNA certified.
The PCT course is made up of five different types of courses:
- Advanced Nurse Aide Skills
- Phlebotomy Skills for the PCT
- ECG and Pulse Oximetry Skills
- CPR/Basic Life Support
- Hospital Clinical Experience (optional)
The course prepares students to sit for the National Health Career Association Certified Patient Care Technician Exam but does not prepare students to be certified ECG Technicians or Certified Phlebotomy Technicians.
3. Metrowest Health Academy
The school is located in Milford, Massachusetts, and offers a seven-month (30-week) patient care technician diploma course.
Upon completion, students may sit for the Massachusetts State Certification Nursing Assistant Exam.
The total tuition, including exam fees, textbooks, and clothing is $6,550.00 as well as $50 for registration.
The course runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm and from 5:00 pm-10:30 pm.
The course is decided as follows:
- 310 hours of theory
- 130 hours of lab work
- 160 hours of externship
4. Health Care Training Services
The school is located in Fall River, Massachusetts.
The school offers a 448-hour certificate course.
304 hours are spent in the classroom and 144 hours are spent on a clinical internship.
The course prepares students to sit for the Massachusetts CNA State Exam.
Once they are registered, they may apply for their Rhode Island Certification through reciprocation.
Course fees at this institution range between $200 and $4,000.
5. MassBay Community College
The school offers a patient care technician certificate course with open enrollment that is 100% online.
The course runs for over 12 months.
The tuition is $2,495.00 and includes a voucher for the national examination once students have completed the course.
Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the Certified Patient Care Technician Level I Exam which is offered by the American Education Certification Association (AECA).
Requirements include:
- Access to a PC and email
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Access to a webcam
- Windows 8 or later
- Google Chrome and Firefox
Patient Care Technician Schools in Massachusetts – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bunker Hill Community College | 250 Rutherford Ave, Boston, MA 02129 |
| Middlesex Community College | 591 Springs Rd, Bedford, MA 01730 |
| Metrowest Health Academy | 100 Concord St, Framingham, MA 01702 |
| Health Care Training Services | 657 Quarry St UNIT 12, Fall River, MA 02723 |
| MassBay Community College | 50 Oakland St, Wellesley, MA 02481 |
Salary
The state of Massachusetts offers a slightly higher wage than most other states for patient care technicians.
Candidates who qualify may expect an entry-level salary of $32,728 per year and, on the higher end of the scale, $42,010 per year for those candidates with a few years of experience.
Alternatively, candidates may expect $16.48 per hour in this state.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boston | $38,904 |
| Worcester | $36,359 |
| Springfield | $35,824 |
| Lowell | $37,637 |
| Cambridge | $38,904 |
| Brockton | $37,395 |
| New Bedford | $36,394 |
| Fall River | $36,394 |
| Lynn | $38,904 |
| Quincy | $38,904 |
Regional Salary in Massachusetts
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | 1,170 | $40,290 | $19.37 | $50,320 | $33,280 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 26,140 | $42,480 | $20.42 | $50,060 | $36,240 |
| Leominster-Gardner, MA | 680 | $37,400 | $17.98 | $42,710 | $32,120 |
| New Bedford, MA | 850 | $38,230 | $18.38 | $45,090 | $35,270 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 510 | $37,760 | $18.15 | $45,240 | $31,390 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 3,900 | $38,710 | $18.61 | $47,180 | $31,540 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | 4,040 | $38,920 | $18.71 | $45,660 | $33,020 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is attending an accredited course compulsory in the state of Massachusetts?
No.
Candidates may also opt to work in the field for 12 months to gain the necessary skills required to successfully pass the national exam.
What does the national exam consist of?
Candidates may expect to answer 100 questions related to the field and 20 pre-test questions.
Is registration with the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry compulsory?
It is not compulsory, but you cannot be deemed a certified and registered patient care technician in the state of Massachusetts unless you pass the exam.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State