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Patient care technicians are responsible for assisting medical professionals with patients.
Much like a certified nursing assistant, a patient care technician can provide basic daily care.
Still, they have additional training and certifications that allow them to perform specific tasks and tests such as EKGs, phlebotomy, and much more.
Individuals interested in becoming a patient care technician in New Mexico can keep reading to learn more about the licensing and certification requirements and educational opportunities within the state.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become a Patient Care Technician in New Mexico
Individuals interested in becoming patient care technicians in New Mexico must meet certain educational expectations and prerequisites.
Individuals wanting to become a patient care technician must have a high school diploma or a GED and be over the age of 18 years.
They must also pass a background check and be physically fit and able to undertake some strenuous duties.
Once the formal training is completed, the candidate must pass the national nurse’s aide certificate exam.
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in New Mexico
Individuals who want to acquire a top education as a patient care technician in New Mexico should check out these top five schools.
There is information related to tuition, length of the course, and location and contact information for the campus and admissions.
1. Brookline College
This program is designed to cover all of the necessary highlights and techniques used for assisting patients and training in various areas such as phlebotomy, wound care, and EKGs.
Individuals interested in taking this course can expect to study for 34 weeks.
The tuition for the school is $15,225.
The campus is located at 4201 Central Ave. NW. suite J, Albuquerque, NM 87105.
The phone number for college admissions is 505–880–2877.
2. Central New Mexico Community College
This school offers a complete training and education opportunity for individuals wanting to become patient care technicians in New Mexico.
The cost for the patient care technician program at the school is $63 per credit hour.
This program lasts for two terms or approximately 18 weeks.
The campus is located at 900 University Blvd. SE., Albuquerque, NM 87106.
The phone number for the school is 505–224–3000.
3. New Mexico State University
The comprehensive patient care technician course is designed to prepare individuals thoroughly for an exciting new career in New Mexico.
This 38-credit-hour course lasts for nine months.
The tuition for the school is $2940 per semester.
The location of the campus is 1780 East University Avenue, La Cruces, NM.
The phone number for the school is 575-646-0111.
4. Santa Fe Community College
This comprehensive hands-on program is designed to ensure individuals have the tools and information they need to succeed in an exciting career as patient care technicians.
The tuition for in-state residents for this program is $2,505.
The location for the school is 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, NM.
The phone number for admissions is 505-428-1000.
5. Charter Institute
This hands-on university-style education prepares each individual for a challenging yet rewarding career as a patient care technician.
The length of the program is approximately ten months and requires a 180-hour externship at a local clinic.
The approximate cost for tuition annually at Charter College is $18,161.
The location of the school is 3030 E. 20th St., Farmington, and M87402.
The phone number for the campus is 505–7 93–8087.
Patient Care Technician Schools in New Mexico – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Brookline College | 4201 Central Ave NW Suite J, Albuquerque, NM 87105 |
| Central New Mexico Community College | 900 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 |
| New Mexico State University | 1780 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88003 |
| Santa Fe Community College | 6401 Richards Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87508 |
| Charter Institute | 3030 E 20th St, Farmington, NM 87402 |
Salary of a Patient Care Technician in New Mexico
The average salary of a patient care technician in New Mexico is $34,529.
However, a highly-trained patient care technician with plenty of experience can make well over $40k annually.
This salary depends on the employee’s training, skills, and even location.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $32,326 |
| Las Cruces | $32,326 |
| Santa Fe | $32,630 |
| Rio Rancho | $32,223 |
| Roswell | $30,282 |
| Farmington | $31,960 |
| Alamogordo | $30,800 |
| Clovis | $31,106 |
| Hobbs | $30,824 |
| Carlsbad | $30,282 |
Regional Salary in New Mexico
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 1,830 | $34,810 | $16.74 | $42,470 | $29,500 |
| Farmington, NM | 350 | $34,110 | $16.4 | $45,610 | $28,760 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 420 | $30,870 | $14.84 | $36,940 | $25,650 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 270 | $37,190 | $17.88 | $45,500 | $30,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to recertify to be a patient care technician in New Mexico?
No, individuals do not need to recertify once they are completely trained and pass the national exam.
It is up to the individual in the employer to ensure that technicians stay on top of the latest technology and techniques related to completing their jobs effectively.
What does it mean to pass a national background check to be a patient care technician in New Mexico?
Individuals must submit their personal information in detail and allow for a third-party background check that ensures the individual applying to become a patient care technician does not have any felonies.
Individuals with felonies cannot become a patient care technician or take the national exam.
Other details uncovered in the background check may or may not have any effect on whether a student may complete their training.
How long does it take to become a patient care technician in New Mexico?
The length of time it takes to become a patient care technician in New Mexico can vary depending on the student’s situation.
Some factors include how long it takes to meet prerequisites and taking a comprehensive training program.
Some training programs can prepare students to take the national exam in as little as nine months.
Certain programs may take longer, and the program’s cost varies from school to school.
Becoming a qualified patient care technician takes approximately one to two years.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
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PCT Schools by State