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Finding out what schools you can attend to seek a Patient Care Technician (PCT) certificate in Utah is not as clear as becoming a Medical Assistant (MA) or a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
You will need to check with the credentialing body of your choice and see if the school you attend will prepare you for your PCT certificate exams.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Patient Care Technician in Utah
There are no specific licensing requirements for Patient Care Technicians (PCT) in Utah.
However, medical centers, such as the Blue Mountain Hospital in Utah, require you to have an EMT, Medical Assistant (MA), or CNA certificate.
You can earn these certificates individually, or you could find a vocational learning program that covers all aspects of attending to patients who need care.
The Patient Care Technician (CPCT) credential offered by the American Education Certification Association (AECA) is one option for you in Utah.
Also, keep in mind that it is best to seek training that puts you in the Utah Nurse Aid Registry (UNAR).
In addition, you can seek a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) credential from either the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the National Performance Specialists (NPS) group.
If you cannot find a school in Utah near you that offers specifically PCT training, you can try an online course.
There are no state-specific rules, but you should check before enrolling that the coursework meets requirements set by local healthcare institutions.
Additional certifications may also help you operate as a Patient Care Technician if you are already employed as a CNA.
These include phlebotomy, which involves drawing blood to prepare it for testing, and EKG machine training, which shows you how to test heart activity.
In addition, you also have the option to enroll in Medical Assistant training.
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in Utah
If a school near you does not have training that prepares you specifically for a CPCT credential, you might want to consider supplemental coursework from a PCT association.
NHA, NPS, AECA, and others have their own exam study materials that match with standards set by medical centers.
1. Utah Valley University
This school offers a 12-month Patient Care Technician Program that prepares you for the CPCT Level I exam offered by AECA.
The training prepares you for work in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, urgent care centers, and more.
Experience first-hand what it is like to dress, bathe and feed patients, plus you will learn how to move and reposition them.
In addition, you will know what physical therapy exercises people seeking care most need to improve their quality of life – and more.
An exam voucher is included with this course.
2. Davis Technical College (Davis Tech)
Davis Tech has a variety of health certificate programs, such as Nurse Assistant, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, or Home Health Aide.
They also have a Licensed Practical Nurse learning program.
Any one of these curriculums will cover some of the same topics you would learn if studying as a Patient Care Technician (PCT).
Again, it is up to you to explore your options to make sure the training will include answers to your exam questions for certificate testing day.
The Nurse Assistant training will prepare you to take the UNAR exam, which will register you to become a CNA in Utah.
3. University of Utah
As you can see in the University of Utah’s job listings, the category of “Patient Care Support” returns a variety of job title results, including Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, and EMT Medical Assistant (MA).
You could enroll in one of a variety of health degree or certificate programs, including the MA or Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
4. Salt Lake Community College
If you cannot find a CPCT program near you, perhaps start out in a Certified Nursing Assistant training program at Salt Lake Community College.
It teaches all the practical, legal, and ethical aspects of tending to patients in a retirement home or nursing care facility, hospital or clinic, and a private physician’s office.
You can also take standalone courses, such as CPR or Fundamental Phlebotomy to supplement your current certifications.
Some classes you take will also fulfill continuing education (CE) hours required to maintain your credentials.
Patient Care Technician Schools in Utah – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Utah Valley University | 800 W University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84058 |
| Davis Technical College | 550 E 300 S, Kaysville, UT 84037 |
| University of Utah | 201 Presidents' Cir, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 |
| Salt Lake Community College | 4600 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84123 |
Salary
The average amount per year that a Utah Patient Care Technician (or Patient Care Assistant) can make is $28,750.
That is similar to a CNA salary, which you can start working as in about 80 hours or after about six to eight weeks of training.
If you can’t find PCT training, the CNA track plus the Phlebotomy, Medical Assistant, or EKG Technician training would place you on the way to earning what a PCT would make.
Your additional certifications also may increase your earning potential to more than $36,946-$39,000 according to what level of PCT you are.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $32,814 |
| Logan | $31,539 |
| Provo | $31,612 |
| Sandy | $32,724 |
| Orem | $31,612 |
| Ogden | $31,988 |
| West Jordan | $32,694 |
| Layton | $31,869 |
| Lehi | $31,462 |
| St. George | $34,754 |
Regional Salary in Utah
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan, UT-ID | 680 | $29,680 | $14.27 | $36,140 | $23,610 |
| Ogden-Clearfield, UT | 2,380 | $33,330 | $16.03 | $37,970 | $27,830 |
| Provo-Orem, UT | 1,730 | $32,430 | $15.59 | $37,180 | $27,020 |
| St. George, UT | 1,140 | $31,940 | $15.36 | $40,150 | $25,590 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 5,640 | $34,650 | $16.66 | $40,610 | $28,330 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications must Utah Patient Care Technicians have?
They must have the strength to move and reposition patients when bathing, grooming, placing in bed, eating, and other activities.
A PCT also needs to have compassion and empathy while working with people who need care, and they need to know how to respond in an emergency.
How long does it take to complete PCT training in Utah?
It takes an average of about six months.
You will probably start working before that, however.
If you do not want to wait that long to start working, you could become a CNA first after only several weeks.
This places you in the environment you need to be to gain experience.
Is the Patient Care Technician the same as a CNA?
Both the Patient Care Technician (PCT) and a CNA provide the same basic levels of care, including assisting patients when eating, receiving medication, or undergoing testing.
However, you might receive extra training in areas, such as phlebotomy or EKG scanning, as a PCT.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State