6 Best PCT Schools in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Atlantic Technical College is a public technical college operated by Broward County Public Schools.

Its main campus is in Coconut Creek, approximately 15 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, while the school also operates the Arthur Ashe Jr. Campus in Fort Lauderdale.

The Patient Care Technician program is designed for beginners with no previous medical experience.

It provides a more complete curriculum than a basic CNA course because it includes nursing assistant, phlebotomy, EKG, restorative care, and home health skills.

Programs Offered

Students learn bedside nursing care, anatomy and physiology, vital signs, infection control, medical terminology, documentation, patient mobility, personal care, home health procedures, emergency care, and healthcare ethics.

The program also includes basic phlebotomy techniques, 12-lead EKG procedures, CPR, and BLS training.

Students complete nursing assistant skills that may support eligibility for the Florida CNA examination.

Graduates may also be prepared to pursue a national Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant credential, provided they satisfy the certification organization’s eligibility requirements.

Admission requirements may include basic skills testing, a physical examination, immunization records, a Level II background check, and a negative drug test.

Tuition and Cost

Florida resident tuition is approximately $1,680.

After laboratory charges, registration, insurance, screening requirements, books, uniforms, supplies, and certification testing, the complete cost is generally around $2,300 to $2,900.

Out-of-state tuition is considerably higher.

Program Length

The program includes 600 hours and takes approximately six months of full-time study.

Classes generally meet Monday through Friday during daytime hours.

Clinical schedules may differ from regular classroom times.

Sheridan Technical College is a public career and technical school in Hollywood, approximately 10 miles south of downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Its Patient Care Technician program is another comprehensive option for students who want CNA, phlebotomy, EKG, and bedside-care training in one curriculum.

The school uses a hybrid format, combining scheduled instruction with online learning and in-person clinical practice.

Programs Offered

The 600-hour PCT program covers basic healthcare skills, nursing assistance, home health care, patient care assistance, phlebotomy, EKG procedures, restorative care, medical terminology, infection control, and patient safety.

Students practice direct care skills and complete clinical training under supervision.

The curriculum may help eligible graduates prepare for Florida CNA testing and national PCT certification.

Students should expect admission requirements such as a background check, drug screening, physical examination, immunizations, and Basic Life Support certification.

Tuition and Cost

The approximate total program cost is $2,755.

This estimate includes around $2,107 for tuition and registration, plus books, supplies, testing, insurance, and other required charges.

Personal expenses such as transportation, additional uniforms, and health records may increase the final amount.

Program Length

The program includes 600 hours and takes approximately 22 weeks, or about six months.

Full-time cohorts are generally offered twice per year, although specific start dates can change.

McFatter Technical College is a public technical college based in Davie.

Its Patient Care Assistant program is offered at the Broward Estates Early Learning and Resource Center in Fort Lauderdale.

This is a shorter alternative to a full 600-hour PCT program.

It is suitable for beginners who want hospital-focused nursing assistant training and a faster route into basic patient care.

Programs Offered

The Patient Care Assistant program prepares students to work as cross-trained nursing assistants under the direction of nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Training covers basic healthcare, nursing assistant duties, vital signs, personal care, infection prevention, patient mobility, safety, communication, documentation, and activities of daily living.

Students may be prepared to pursue CNA and Patient Care Technician/Assistant certification exams after completing the program and meeting all testing requirements.

However, the shorter curriculum may not provide the same depth of phlebotomy and EKG training found in a full PCT program.

Tuition and Cost

Florida resident tuition is approximately $658 to $812, depending on the applicable enrollment schedule.

When registration, laboratory charges, books, supplies, screening, and certification costs are added, the estimated total is about $1,500 to $1,600.

Program Length

The Patient Care Assistant program includes 290 hours and takes approximately 10 weeks of full-time study.

Classes are generally scheduled during weekday daytime hours.

Broward College is a public state college headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, with campuses and learning locations throughout Broward County.

Its continuing education division offers an online Patient Care Technician certificate for students who need a flexible schedule.

This option may help working adults, although students should carefully consider how they will obtain enough hands-on practice.

Programs Offered

The online PCT program covers medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, patient safety, infection control, vital signs, personal hygiene, mobility, nutrition, wound care, specimen collection, basic phlebotomy, EKG concepts, restorative care, and medical documentation.

A current version of the course includes preparation for the NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant exam and an exam voucher.

Students should confirm whether separate EKG or phlebotomy certification is needed for their preferred job.

Because the course is online, it does not replace Florida CNA clinical training or guarantee eligibility for the state nursing assistant registry.

Tuition and Cost

The current online PCT package costs approximately $2,999.

Course materials and a national certification exam voucher are included.

Students may need to pay separately for a computer, internet access, BLS training, uniforms, health screenings, background checks, and hands-on clinical experience.

Program Length

The self-paced program includes approximately 325 course hours.

Students receive up to 12 months to complete it, although some may finish sooner.

Center for Career Training is a private healthcare training school in Lauderdale Lakes, approximately six miles northwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Its Patient Care Technician program is designed for students who want several patient-care credentials combined into one course of study.

The school emphasizes support for students who speak Spanish or Creole, although classes are delivered in English.

Programs Offered

The PCT program combines Certified Nursing Assistant preparation, Home Health Aide training, phlebotomy, and EKG instruction.

Students learn vital signs, bedside care, patient hygiene, transfers, infection control, home care, blood collection, specimen handling, EKG equipment use, communication, and safety.

The school also offers the CNA, phlebotomy, EKG, and Home Health Aide components separately.

Students should ask which certification examinations are included and whether the program contains supervised clinical hours.

Tuition and Cost

The school does not publish a fixed all-inclusive PCT price.

A reasonable planning range for a 600-hour private PCT diploma in Broward County is approximately $3,000 to $6,000.

Students should request an itemized quote covering tuition, registration, books, uniforms, laboratory supplies, CPR training, screening, and certification exams.

Payment plans are available, and the school advertises an introductory period that allows students to begin without an immediate tuition payment.

Program Length

The state-listed PCT diploma includes approximately 600 clock hours.

Depending on whether the student attends full-time or part-time, completion may take about five to nine months.

Flexible class schedules are available.

Northwest Phlebotomy School offers short in-person phlebotomy classes in central Fort Lauderdale.

This is not a complete PCT program, but it may be useful for CNAs, medical assistants, or caregivers who want to add basic blood-drawing skills.

Students should not treat this short course as a replacement for comprehensive nursing assistant or clinical PCT training.

Programs Offered

The course combines lectures with laboratory practice.

Topics include anatomy and physiology, venipuncture techniques, equipment, bloodborne pathogens, infection prevention, needlestick safety, and considerations for pediatric and older patients.

Students practice with simulation equipment before progressing to live blood draws.

The course ends with an individual practical assessment.

Applicants generally need a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.

Tuition and Cost

The phlebotomy course costs approximately $775.

Students can reserve a place with a deposit and pay the remaining balance before or during class.

Certification, CPR, uniforms, clinical experience, or additional examination fees may not all be included.

Program Length

Most Fort Lauderdale phlebotomy classes take two days, with approximately five hours of instruction per day.

An optional four-hour IV training workshop costs approximately $375 and requires previous medical education or completion of phlebotomy training.