Patient Care Technician Salary

Patient care technicians assist physicians, nurses, and other medical staff in caring for patients. This job is usually performed in a hospital environment under the supervision of other medical staff, in which a technician will monitor patients, create daily reports of their status, conduct tests, and obtain specimens for testing. If changes in a patient’s status are noted, they must be reported to a nurse or physician.

This job may sometimes cause high-stress situations, as the health of patients can fluctuate. Proficiency with computers and certain medical equipment is generally required, as these technicians may input information into a database. Strong communication skills are also important in order to communicate well with other medical staff, as well as patients to explain procedures and help them feel at ease. Some patients may have limited abilities, so it is important to be patient and able to assist them in any way possible. All types of care must be carried out in accordance with hospital policies and local regulations and laws.

A high school diploma and graduation from a certified nursing assistant or paramedic program are generally required for this position, though some positions will allow students who are currently in nursing programs to fulfill this position if they have already amassed adequate clinical practice and study. Current CPR certification is also necessary, and some positions require at least a few months of experience while others do not. (Copyright 2017 PayScale.com)

Patient Care Technician Tasks

• Provide basic patient care under direction of nursing staff.
• Support the administrative and clinical operations of the practice.
• Prepare, update and disseminates unit reports, physician orders and patient records.
• Provide basic therapeutic services under direction of nursing staff.