How to Become a PCT in Connecticut

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If you’re one of the many people wanting to work in the healthcare industry, perhaps we could have your attention for a few minutes!

This article will present the steps needed by future patient care technicians in the State of Connecticut!

Read on!

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Get information on Patient Care Technician programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in Connecticut

The job of a PCT is very similar in description and responsibilities to those of nurse assistants and home health nurses.

These are positions that are ranked closely below doctors.

They don’t only help other medical staff and the patients, but their families as well.

Patient care techs can perform most of their job tasks without supervision.

These tasks include:

  • Bathing and feeding the patients
  • Catheter care
  • Maintaining patient rooms clean
  • Vital sign monitoring
  • Performing phlebotomy procedures
  • Talking to the patients’ families
  • Escorting patients to various places for further investigations

Being registered with the Connecticut Nurse Aid Registry is a job responsibility of a PCT that shouldn’t even be mentioned.

It’s also possible that depending on the facility one works, they’ll receive additional duties.

Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in Connecticut

Perhaps you’re wondering what type of person you must be to become a PCT in this state.

Here are the most valuable assets for the candidate for this position:

  • Having a high school diploma or GED
  • Having good communication skills
  • Being detail-oriented
  • Being reliable
  • Being compassionate
  • Having a clean criminal background
  • Being certified
  • Having physical stamina
  • Being listed in the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry

Employers can be picky and can ask for additional characteristics.

Patient Care Technician Education in Connecticut

Not many people know that to be listed in the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry, they need to receive some training.

Luckily, there are quite a handful of schools in this state that can offer appropriate PCT training programs.

The schools are listed in the next table.

Top 30 Schools in Connecticut

School NameAddress
Academy of Medical Training521 Wolcott Street Waterbury, CT 06705
American Institute of Healthcare and Technology480 Lordship Boulevard, Stratford, Connecticut 06615-7149
Asnuntuck Community College170 Elm Street Enfield, CT 06082
Branford Hall Career Institute155 Main Street, Suite 302, Danbury, CT 06810
Capital Community College950 Main Street, Hartford CT 06103
Care Training Center LLC142 Temple Street, New Haven, CT 06510
Charter Oak State College55 Paul Manafort Drive, New Britain, Connecticut 06053
Connecticut Training Center, Inc.1137 Main Street East Hartford, CT
Danbury Training Center155 Main Street Danbury, CT 06810
Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers300 Seymour Ave. Ste. 206 Derby, CT 06418-1343
Harris School of Business155 Main Street, Suite 302 Danbury, CT 06810
Housatonic Community College900 Lafayette Boulevard Beacon Hall, Room 274 Bridgeport, CT 06604
Lincoln Technical Institute200 John Downey Dr, New Britain, Connecticut 06051
Lincoln Technical Institute8 Progress Drive, Shelton, Connecticut 06484
Middlesex Community College100 Training Hill Road, Middletown, CT 06457
Naugatuck Valley Community College750 Chase Parkway Waterbury, CT 06708
Naugatuck Valley Community College183 Main Street Danbury, CT 06810
New Haven Adult Education580 Ella T. Grasso Blvd. New Haven, CT 06519
Northeast Medical Institute270 Amity Road Suite 131 Woodbridge, CT 06525
Northeast Medical Institute29 Bank St Stamford, CT 06901
Northwestern Connecticut Community CollegePark Place East, Winsted, CT 06098
NVCCK402, Kinney Hall 750 Chase Parkway Waterbury, CT 06708
Quinebaug Valley Community College742 Upper Maple Street, Danielson, CT 06239
Stone Academy745 Burnside Avenue, East Hartford, Connecticut 06108
Stone Academy101 Pierpont Road, Waterbury, Connecticut 06705
Stone Academy560 Saw Mill Road, West Haven, Connecticut 06516
Stone Academy1315 Dixwell Avenue Hamden, CT 06514
Three Rivers Community College574 New London Turnpike Norwich, CT 06360
Tunxis Community College271 Scott Swamp Rd. Farmington, CT 06032
Valley Medical Institute4637 Main Street Bridgeport, CT 06606

When having a look at the programs these schools offer, you’ll see that duration and credentials are different.

If you want just a certificate, you’ll enroll in a program that is barely 1 year long.

However, if you hope to get a degree, you’ll need to study for at least 2 years.

For instance, you can get an Associates’ and a Bachelors’ degree from Charter Oak State College.

The majority of the other schools offer only certificate-level programs.

All the courses also include some practice hours that require 100% attendance.

Spots in these classes are usually limited to the individuals that can meet these prerequisites:

  • A clean criminal record
  • A passed drug screening test
  • A passed TB skin test
  • Had vaccinations done for:
    • MMR
    • Varicella
    • Hepatitis B
    • Flu
    • Tetanus

This list shows just a few of the subjects you can expect to study:

  • Providing patient safety
  • Providing basic care
  • Medical terminology and abbreviations
  • Basic infection control procedures and techniques
  • The structure and function of body systems
  • Identifying and reporting changes in the patient’s condition
  • Monitoring and recording bodily functions
  • CPR
  • First aide techniques
  • Drawing blood
  • Inserting catheters

Patient Care Technician Certification in Connecticut

As you graduate from your training program, you’ll have to pass the NHA exam.

You can sign up for this test only if you:

  • Are at least 18 years old
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Graduated from a specialized training program
  • Paid the exam fee – $149
  • Show proof of citizenship or nationality
  • Submit a set of fingerprints

NHA accepts in some cases 1 year of related experience au lieu of the program.

Keep in mind that some of the schools may cover the exam fee if you choose this training route.

You’ll have 1 hour and 50 minutes to answer a total of 120 questions.

Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in Connecticut

Once you passed your examination, you’re ready to get employed.

You can apply at these facilities:

  • Hospitals,
  • Clinics,
  • Rehabilitation centers,
  • Long term care and assisted living facilities,
  • Hospices
  • Home care

Knowing how much can you earn as a patient care tech is oftentimes important when making a decision.

As you can see from this next table, the salaries are higher in Denver, Westminster, and Thornton.

Annual Salary Range:
$30K
$37K
$46K

Average Salary of Patient Care Technicians in Connecticut

City NameSalary
Bridgeport$38,736
New Haven$36,952
Stamford$39,239
Hartford$36,649
Waterbury$36,758
Norwalk$39,239
Danbury$37,854
New Britain$36,826
West Hartford$36,649
Greenwich$39,239
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Connecticut

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT4,190$38,580$18.55$46,050$31,750
Danbury, CT770$38,520$18.52$44,490$32,960
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT7,020$38,320$18.42$46,610$32,270
New Haven, CT4,440$38,330$18.43$45,620$31,930
Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI1,060$39,780$19.12$49,600$33,650
Waterbury, CT900$37,410$17.99$42,970$31,130
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Nursing Assistants, OCC Code 31-1131, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Additional Information for Patient Care Technician in Connecticut

These resources can be of help in several instances:

  • Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry
  • CT Department of Public Health
  • National Health Association
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