6 Best PCT Schools in Columbus, OH

Central Ohio Technical College is a public technical college with a campus in Newark, approximately 40 miles east of downtown Columbus.

It offers one of the most complete PCT certificates in Central Ohio.

The program is particularly useful for beginners because CNA preparation, CPR, phlebotomy, and electrocardiography are incorporated into the same certificate.

Programs Offered

The 16-credit Patient Care Technician Certificate includes Basic Healthcare Skills, Basic Life Support, Medical Terminology, Electrophysiology, Introduction to Health Sciences, Phlebotomy, Phlebotomy Laboratory, and a Phlebotomy Clinical Practicum.

Students learn bedside patient care, vital signs, infection control, mobility assistance, patient safety, blood collection, specimen handling, cardiac testing, and clinical communication.

The Basic Healthcare Skills component includes 75 hours of lecture, laboratory, and clinical training and can support eligibility for Ohio nurse aide testing.

Students also complete phlebotomy and ECG coursework and may be eligible for related certification examinations after meeting each organization’s requirements.

Tuition and Cost

For autumn 2026, Ohio resident tuition is approximately $239 per credit.

Base tuition for the 16-credit certificate is therefore about $3,824.

Books, supplies, uniforms, health screenings, BLS requirements, background screening, laboratory expenses, and certification examinations can bring the total closer to approximately $4,500 to $5,500.

Financial aid is available for qualifying students because the certificate is financial-aid eligible.

Program Length

The certificate is organized across two semesters.

Columbus State Community College is a large public community college with its main campus in downtown Columbus.

Instead of offering one combined PCT certificate, it provides several short healthcare programs that students can combine.

This route works particularly well for students who want affordable public-college training and prefer to build their PCT skills gradually.

Programs Offered

The Nurse Aide Certificate includes 76 hours of training, with 60 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction and 16 hours of clinical preparation.

Students learn personal care, vital signs, infection prevention, mobility assistance, nutrition, communication, and basic bedside procedures.

Columbus State also offers a nine-credit Phlebotomy Certificate completed across two semesters.

The program includes classroom and laboratory instruction plus approximately 60 hours of clinical experience.

A separate Basic Electrocardiography Certificate teaches 12-lead EKG procedures, equipment troubleshooting, cardiac anatomy, and basic dysrhythmia recognition.

Tuition and Cost

Ohio resident tuition is approximately $202.93 per credit for autumn 2026.

The three-credit Nurse Aide course has base tuition of about $609, plus a laboratory fee.

After uniforms, health requirements, screening, equipment, and state testing, students should budget approximately $900 to $1,500.

The nine-credit phlebotomy pathway has base tuition of approximately $1,826 before laboratory fees, books, clinical requirements, and certification testing.

Program Length

Nurse Aide training includes 76 hours and may be completed within one semester.

The Phlebotomy Certificate takes two semesters.

EKG training can be completed as a single three-credit course.

1st Choice Career Centers operates a Columbus campus on Great Southern Court.

It offers one of the city’s most direct short-term Patient Care Technician programs.

The hybrid format may appeal to students who want to complete training quickly while still receiving in-person laboratory practice.

Programs Offered

The 120-hour PCT program covers vital signs, patient monitoring, infection control, safety, basic nursing skills, patient assistance, medical terminology, documentation, phlebotomy fundamentals, and EKG fundamentals.

Training combines online education with hands-on instruction.

The program is designed to prepare students for a national Patient Care Technician certification examination.

Students must generally be at least 18, possess a high school diploma or GED, pass a criminal background check, and meet physical and TB screening requirements.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition alone is approximately $975.

A package with tuition, a uniform, and textbook costs about $1,175.

Adding the national certification examination brings the total to approximately $1,475.

Students can reserve a seat with a $200 deposit.

Program Length

The hybrid PCT course includes 120 hours.

Completion time depends on the current schedule, but it is designed as an accelerated short-term program.

Ohio School of Phlebotomy is a private healthcare training school located on Aldrich Road in Columbus.

It offers Clinical Medical Assisting, phlebotomy, EKG, and laboratory assisting programs.

Students who already have CNA or bedside-care experience can use the separate phlebotomy and EKG courses to build a strong PCT-related skill set.

Programs Offered

The 11-week Clinical Medical Assisting program covers vital signs, patient histories, phlebotomy, EKG procedures, injections, specimen collection, laboratory testing, charting, and other clinical skills.

An optional externship provides approximately 40 to 120 hours of additional clinical experience.

The standard Phlebotomy program includes six weeks of classroom and laboratory instruction followed by a 40-hour externship.

The EKG Technician program covers cardiac anatomy, patient preparation, electrode placement, EKG equipment, and basic cardiac monitoring.

Tuition and Cost

Clinical Medical Assisting costs approximately $2,300.

An optional externship costs another $300.

The seven-week phlebotomy program costs approximately $900, while the accelerated four-week course costs about $750 for eligible students with previous healthcare education or experience.

EKG training costs approximately $800.

Program Length

Clinical Medical Assisting takes 11 weeks.

Standard phlebotomy takes seven weeks, including the externship.

EKG training takes approximately six weeks.

Columbus Medical Assistant School is a private career training provider offering an accelerated hybrid Medical Assistant program in Columbus.

Although this is not a dedicated hospital PCT certificate, the curriculum includes several core PCT-related skills, including phlebotomy, EKG procedures, vital signs, and direct patient interaction.

Programs Offered

Students learn medical terminology, anatomy, vital signs, patient intake, phlebotomy, EKG procedures, injections, infection control, laboratory testing, medical documentation, and clinical procedures.

Classes include hands-on training inside real medical offices.

Students also complete an 80-hour externship and receive preparation for the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant examination.

Students specifically seeking inpatient PCT jobs should check whether Columbus-area hospitals require CNA certification in addition to medical assisting education.

Tuition and Cost

Total tuition is approximately $3,490.

Flexible payment plans are available.

Scrubs, supplies, hands-on instruction, externship support, and certification preparation are included in the program.

Program Length

The program takes 18 weeks.

The final weeks focus on certification preparation and an 80-hour clinical externship.

Fortis College operates a campus in Westerville, approximately 12 miles north of downtown Columbus.

Its Medical Assisting diploma offers a longer and more structured alternative to an accelerated PCT course.

Programs Offered

Students learn patient preparation, vital signs, medical histories, phlebotomy, EKG administration, laboratory procedures, infection control, pharmacology, electronic health records, and medical office responsibilities.

The program combines online coursework, classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and a healthcare externship.

Graduates may be eligible to take the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant examination.

Medical assisting focuses primarily on outpatient care, so students pursuing hospital PCT positions should verify whether local employers also require CNA certification or previous bedside-care experience.

Tuition and Cost

Fortis provides current Westerville tuition during the admissions process rather than listing one fixed price for every enrollment period.

Students should request a complete cost estimate covering tuition, books, uniforms, laboratory supplies, technology fees, certification testing, and externship requirements.

Financial aid may be available to students who qualify.

Program Length

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

Evening schedules may take approximately 45 instructional weeks.