7 Best PCT Schools in Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge Community College is a public community college with multiple locations in the Baton Rouge area.

It offers one of the most direct local options for students specifically seeking Patient Care Technician training.

The accelerated PCT course is particularly useful for beginners who want patient care, phlebotomy, and EKG instruction combined rather than taking three separate programs.

Programs Offered

The Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant course includes classroom theory, laboratory practice, and external experience.

Students learn basic patient care, proper blood collection, phlebotomy procedures, EKG collection and monitoring, patient safety, infection control, and other clinical skills.

The 160-hour program is designed to prepare students for the NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant examination.

BRCC also offers separate Certified Nurse Aide, Certified Phlebotomy Technician, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, and EKG-related training, making it possible to build additional skills after completing the PCT course.

Tuition and Cost

The current PCT price varies by workforce-training session and is provided during registration.

Students should plan for approximately $2,000 to $4,000 for a short comprehensive PCT course of this type, depending on whether books, supplies, clinical expenses, BLS training, and certification testing are included.

Program Length

The dedicated PCT program includes 160 hours.

Completion time depends on the current workforce schedule, but an accelerated student may finish within several weeks to a few months.

The HEART Academy is a private healthcare training school located on North Foster Drive in Baton Rouge.

It offers CNA and phlebotomy programs that can be combined to build a strong foundation for PCT-related work.

This is a particularly useful option for beginners who want to start with bedside nursing skills and add blood-drawing experience afterward.

Programs Offered

The CNA course includes 40 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of clinical training.

Students learn patient hygiene, activities of daily living, infection prevention, safety, vital signs, communication, mobility assistance, and basic nursing procedures.

The separate phlebotomy program teaches blood collection and specimen-handling skills.

BLS and CPR courses are also available.

Students interested in a broader hospital PCT role may still need EKG training in addition to CNA and phlebotomy education.

Tuition and Cost

CNA tuition is approximately $1,500.

Phlebotomy training is also approximately $1,500 for either the in-person or online format.

Students should budget separately for uniforms, a blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, fingerprinting, background screening, and state certification testing.

Program Length

The daytime CNA program takes approximately three weeks.

Evening students complete the same training in approximately five weeks.

Baton Rouge School of Phlebotomy is a private career training provider on Brookline Avenue.

Its focused program may be a good choice for CNAs or other patient-care workers who need to add blood-drawing skills.

The school specializes in phlebotomy rather than offering a complete nursing assistant or PCT curriculum.

Programs Offered

Students learn venipuncture, specimen collection, medical terminology, patient interaction, infection control, laboratory safety, and professional phlebotomy procedures.

The program combines classroom instruction, certification exam preparation, and hands-on competency training.

Students who already have CNA experience can use phlebotomy training to broaden their qualifications for hospital or laboratory-related patient-care positions.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition is approximately $2,500.

A $100 enrollment fee is also required.

The tuition price includes the NHA certification examination fee.

Workforce assistance may be available through WIOA or Louisiana Rehabilitation Services for qualifying students.

Program Length

Classes are generally held Monday through Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Students should confirm the number of instructional weeks for the next cohort before enrolling.

Med-Advance Training is a Baton Rouge healthcare training provider offering accelerated Certified Nurse Assistant education.

Its lower tuition and short schedule make it worth considering for students who want to obtain basic bedside-care skills before pursuing additional PCT training.

Programs Offered

The CNA program covers direct patient care, vital signs, patient safety, hygiene, infection control, mobility, communication, and assistance with daily activities.

Training is designed around Louisiana nurse aide requirements and preparation for the state certification process.

Students who want a complete PCT skill set should consider adding phlebotomy, EKG, and BLS training after completing CNA education.

Tuition and Cost

Recent CNA tuition has been approximately $650 to $800, with installment payment schedules available.

Students should ask whether books, scrubs, health screenings, background checks, BLS training, and certification testing are included.

Program Length

The CNA program uses an accelerated schedule.

Exact cohort lengths vary, so students should confirm current classroom and clinical dates before registering.

Delta College operates both North and South campuses in Baton Rouge.

Its Medical Assistant program is a longer private-college option providing hands-on clinical training and an externship.

Although medical assisting is different from inpatient PCT work, the program develops several relevant patient-care skills.

Programs Offered

Students learn how to prepare patients for examinations, take vital signs, assist during medical procedures, maintain medical records, and perform routine clinical duties.

The program emphasizes both patient interaction and administrative responsibilities.

An externship allows students to practice in a healthcare setting before graduation.

National healthcare certification opportunities may also be available.

Tuition and Cost

Delta provides current Medical Assistant tuition during the admissions process.

Students should plan for approximately $15,000 to $20,000 for a private career-college program of this length.

Books and selected supplies may be included, while health screenings, uniforms, certification testing, and transportation can add to the total.

Financial aid may be available to qualifying students.

Program Length

Daytime Medical Assistant training takes approximately seven and a half months.

Fortis College operates a Baton Rouge campus offering a Medical Assisting program with a combination of online, classroom, laboratory, and externship training.

This option is best suited to students who want comprehensive medical assisting education rather than a short PCT certificate.

Programs Offered

Students learn direct patient interaction, clinical procedures, medical office skills, medical terminology, vital signs, laboratory procedures, and assistance with examinations.

Hands-on laboratory instruction is followed by an externship in a healthcare setting.

Medical assistants commonly work in clinics and physician offices.

Students interested specifically in inpatient PCT jobs should check whether local employers also require CNA certification, BLS, phlebotomy, or EKG experience.

Tuition and Cost

Private-college tuition for the Baton Rouge program is generally in the mid-five-figure range.

A reasonable planning figure is approximately $16,000 to $20,000 before financial aid.

Students should request a current itemized cost sheet showing tuition, books, supplies, uniforms, fees, and certification expenses.

Program Length

The daytime Medical Assisting diploma can be completed in approximately 36 instructional weeks.

The evening schedule takes approximately 45 instructional weeks.

Gonzales Medical Assistant School is located in Gonzales, approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown Baton Rouge.

It is a practical nearby option for students willing to commute for an accelerated medical assisting program.

Programs Offered

Students learn medical terminology, vital signs, patient preparation, phlebotomy, EKG procedures, clinical instrumentation, injections, laboratory skills, and other hands-on medical assisting procedures.

The program combines online coursework with in-person clinical training.

Its phlebotomy and EKG components are especially relevant to students considering PCT-related positions, although CNA certification may still be required for bedside hospital roles.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition is approximately $3,490.

Flexible payment plans are available, with weekly payments that may start around $100.

Students should verify whether certification testing, scrubs, supplies, and screening requirements are included.

Program Length

The Medical Assistant program takes approximately 18 weeks.