Providence has several strong Patient Care Technician training options, including programs that combine CNA, phlebotomy, and EKG preparation, along with hospital-based CNA training and medical assisting programs.
Training ranges from about 12 weeks to seven months, with costs ranging from fully grant-funded programs to more than $6,000 for comprehensive private PCT training.
Patient Care Technicians annual average salary in Rhode Island is $35,993 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Rhode Island Education Center
Rhode Island Education Center provides workforce-focused healthcare training for Rhode Island residents.
Its Patient Care Technician program is one of the most attractive options for Providence-area students because it combines the three major credentials commonly associated with PCT work.
The program is designed for beginners and is offered through workforce funding for eligible Rhode Island residents.
Programs Offered
The Patient Care Technician pathway combines:
- Certified Nursing Assistant training
- Phlebotomy Technician training
- EKG Technician training
Students develop direct bedside-care skills while also learning venipuncture, specimen processing, EKG operation, electrode placement, patient monitoring, infection control, vital signs, and patient safety.
Graduates can work toward Rhode Island CNA licensure and national phlebotomy and EKG credentials after satisfying the requirements of each testing organization.
Tuition and Cost
Training is 100% grant-funded for qualifying students.
Grant support covers tuition, program materials, and program fees without requiring repayment.
Eligibility is based partly on Rhode Island residency and household income.
Students should confirm whether certification examinations, uniforms, health screenings, and BLS training are also covered by their particular funding award.
Program Length
The complete PCT pathway takes approximately 12 weeks.
Training is conducted in person and includes clinical and hands-on skill development.
Address: 75 Commerce Dr., Warwick, RI 02886
#2 American Safety Programs & Training
American Safety Programs & Training is a private healthcare and emergency medical training school in Warwick, approximately 10 miles south of downtown Providence.
Its Patient Care Technician program is particularly comprehensive because students complete full CNA, phlebotomy, and EKG courses rather than abbreviated introductions to each subject.
Programs Offered
Students begin with an eight-week CNA program.
The first six weeks cover classroom and skills instruction, followed by two weeks of clinical experience.
The next portion is an eight-week phlebotomy course covering venipuncture, blood collection, specimen processing, infection prevention, and laboratory procedures.
Students finish with six weeks of EKG training covering cardiac anatomy, electrode placement, EKG equipment, stress testing concepts, Holter monitoring, and cardiac rhythms.
Students can pursue Rhode Island CNA licensure and applicable national healthcare certifications after meeting examination requirements.
Tuition and Cost
The complete Patient Care Technician program costs approximately $5,150.
Payment plans are available, with a $300 initial deposit required for some financing arrangements.
Students should ask whether textbooks, scrubs, BLS certification, health screenings, certification examinations, and licensing fees are included in the current tuition package.
Program Length
The complete pathway includes:
- CNA: 8 weeks
- Phlebotomy: 8 weeks
- EKG: 6 weeks
Total training time is approximately 22 weeks.
Day and evening classes are available.
Address: 75 Commerce Dr, Warwick, RI 02886, United States
#3 911Programs Career Training Institute
911Programs Career Training Institute is another private healthcare school in Warwick serving students throughout the Providence metropolitan area.
Its Patient Care Technician program is one of the most extensive options near Providence and includes full CNA, phlebotomy, EKG, CPR, and IV training.
Programs Offered
Students complete four training modules.
General Medical Studies introduces healthcare law, infection prevention, anatomy, medical terminology, vital signs, CPR, and First Aid.
The Phlebotomy module teaches venipuncture, capillary collection, specimen handling, vascular anatomy, and laboratory procedures.
A clinical rotation is included.
The EKG module covers cardiac anatomy, 12-lead EKG procedures, rhythm recognition, heart blocks, atrial fibrillation, and other cardiac monitoring concepts.
The CNA portion covers activities of daily living, patient transfers, vital signs, emergency response, hygiene, feeding, and bedside care.
The program also includes IV access and infusion training.
Tuition and Cost
Base tuition is approximately $6,600.
Students paying the entire tuition before classes begin may qualify for a discount.
Books, uniforms, certification examinations, and licensing expenses can add several hundred dollars.
Laboratory and supply charges can also be substantial, although special pricing or financial assistance may cover these costs for some students.
Program Length
The four main modules include approximately:
- General Medical Studies: 4 weeks
- Phlebotomy: 7 weeks
- EKG: 6 weeks
- CNA: 12 weeks
Because modules may not run consecutively, current PCT cohorts can take approximately 29 non-contiguous weeks.
Address: 22 Veterans Memorial Drive, Warwick, RI 02886
#4 Community College of Rhode Island
Community College of Rhode Island is the state’s public community college system, with campuses in Warwick and Lincoln within easy reach of Providence.
CCRI offers both CNA and Medical Assistant training, making it a good public-school alternative for students who want strong hands-on patient-care preparation.
Programs Offered
The CNA program includes 160 hours of lecture, skills laboratory, and clinical training.
Students learn vital signs, personal care, infection control, mobility, patient safety, communication, and nursing assistant procedures.
CCRI’s Medical Assistant program provides broader clinical training in patient triage, vital signs, specimen collection, injections, ECG procedures, patient education, and other clinical skills.
The Medical Assistant pathway includes a clinical externship and preparation for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant examination.
Tuition and Cost
Open-enrollment CNA training costs approximately $1,400.
The price includes registration, a textbook, workbook, blood pressure cuff, and stethoscope.
Some CNA cohorts are completely free through workforce funding or employer sponsorship.
The 480-hour Medical Assistant program is currently available at no charge to qualifying Rhode Island residents accepted into funded cohorts.
Program Length
CNA training includes 160 hours and generally takes about three months depending on the schedule.
The Medical Assistant program includes 480 hours and takes approximately 15 weeks, followed by its clinical externship.
Address: 1 Hilton St, Providence, RI 02905, United States
#5 Brown University Health
Brown University Health operates several major hospitals in Providence, including Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital.
Its Workforce Development division provides free healthcare career training for qualifying adults.
Its Nursing Assistant program is especially relevant for future PCTs because clinical training takes place within a major hospital system.
Programs Offered
Students receive classroom, simulation laboratory, and hospital clinical instruction in direct patient care.
Training covers vital signs, patient hygiene, safety, mobility, infection prevention, communication, documentation, and other nursing assistant procedures.
Brown University Health also offers a Medical Assistant training pathway in partnership with Genesis Center or CCRI.
That program includes patient assessment, specimen collection, injections, ECG procedures, and Basic Life Support.
Students interested in hospital PCT work can use CNA training as a foundation before adding phlebotomy and EKG credentials.
Tuition and Cost
The Nursing Assistant and Medical Assistant workforce programs are free for accepted participants.
Support can include tuition, classroom materials, books, and assistance with barriers such as transportation or childcare.
Admission is competitive, and training cohorts are not continuously open.
Program Length
The Nursing Assistant program takes approximately 14 weeks.
The Medical Assistant program takes approximately 20 weeks.
Address: 593 Eddy Street Providence, RI 02903
#6 Genesis Center
Genesis Center is a nonprofit education and workforce organization located on Potters Avenue in Providence.
Its healthcare career programs are designed for adults seeking practical skills and employment preparation.
Students can choose between Nursing Assistant and Medical Assistant training depending on the type of patient-care work they want to pursue.
Programs Offered
The Nursing Assistant program teaches personal care, bedside assistance, vital signs, infection prevention, patient mobility, communication, and other CNA responsibilities.
Students complete approximately 330 hours of education, including clinical experience.
The Medical Assistant program adds patient histories, vital signs, injections, ECG-related procedures, electronic medical records, scheduling systems, CPR, and other clinical and administrative skills.
A clinical internship with a local healthcare provider is included in the Medical Assistant pathway.
Tuition and Cost
The listed value of the CNA program is approximately $4,500, although workforce funding can substantially reduce or eliminate the student’s cost.
The Medical Assistant program has a listed value of approximately $5,077.
Many eligible students receive grant or workforce assistance rather than paying the entire amount themselves.
Program Length
The Nursing Assistant program takes approximately 12 weeks and includes about 330 hours.
The Medical Assistant program takes approximately six months and includes roughly 600 hours of training and practical experience.
Address: 620 Potters Avenue, Providence, RI 02907
Schools Summary Table
Rhode Island Salary by Metro Area
This table provides a breakdown of average salaries by metro area, showing how wages differ across regions within the state using recent BLS data.
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 11,180 | $43,530 | $20.93 | $49,500 | $38,120 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in Rhode Island
