5 Best PCT Schools in Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College is a public technical college based in North Charleston and is one of the strongest local choices for PCT training.

Unlike many colleges that only offer CNA or medical assisting, Trident has a course specifically titled Patient Care Technician.

The PCT course is designed for students who already have nurse aide training and want additional skills for working in hospitals.

Programs Offered

The Patient Care Technician course introduces students to hospital equipment and more advanced bedside procedures.

Training includes 12-lead EKG procedures, basic phlebotomy, urinary catheterization, infection control, specimen collection and handling, glucometer testing, sterile technique, supplemental oxygen care, tracheostomy care, and monitoring output from drains and chest tubes.

Students who are not already CNAs can begin with Trident’s Certified Nurse Aide Training Program.

The CNA course includes classroom instruction, laboratory practice, clinical training, and BLS.

Separate Phlebotomy Training and Electrocardiography courses are also available.

Tuition and Cost

The Patient Care Technician course costs approximately $899.

The CNA program costs approximately $2,000 and includes 121.25 hours of training.

The separate ECG course costs approximately $599, while comprehensive phlebotomy training is approximately $2,175.

A beginner completing CNA followed by PCT should therefore budget at least $2,899 before any additional personal expenses.

Program Length

The PCT course takes approximately four weeks.

The CNA program generally takes seven to eight weeks.

Students starting without CNA training could complete both courses in roughly three months, depending on class availability.

P.A.T.C.H. Career Institute is a private career school in North Charleston specializing in short-term healthcare education.

Its combination of Nurse Aide, Phlebotomy, and EKG programs makes it a practical option for students who want to assemble the core skills commonly associated with PCT work.

Programs Offered

Nurse Aide students learn basic bedside care, vital signs, patient hygiene, mobility, infection control, communication, and activities of daily living.

Students can then add phlebotomy training covering venipuncture, specimen collection, laboratory procedures, patient interaction, and infection prevention.

A separate EKG course teaches cardiac testing, electrode placement, patient preparation, and operation of electrocardiography equipment.

Students interested in hospital PCT jobs should ask prospective employers which combination of CNA, phlebotomy, EKG, BLS, and PCT certification they prefer.

Tuition and Cost

Nurse Aide training costs approximately $988.

Phlebotomy tuition is about $940, while EKG training is approximately $840.

Completing all three would therefore cost around $2,768 before outside certification exams, healthcare screenings, or additional equipment.

Payment plans are available. Some South Carolina residents receiving SNAP benefits may also qualify for workforce funding that covers eligible programs.

Program Length

The individual courses are designed as short-term career training.

Phlebotomy and EKG combination training may take approximately eight weeks, while CNA scheduling varies by cohort.

Students completing all three programs should generally plan for several months.

Phlebotomy Training Specialists operates an in-person training location in Charleston.

The school focuses specifically on phlebotomy, making it a useful option for CNAs, medical assistants, and other healthcare workers who need blood-drawing experience.

This is not a complete PCT program, so beginners will normally need separate bedside-care training.

Programs Offered

Students learn routine and specialized blood collection, medical terminology, anatomy, specimen handling, infection control, patient communication, laboratory safety, and professional procedures.

A substantial portion of the program is devoted to hands-on blood-drawing practice.

Students complete practical skill testing in addition to classroom instruction.

This type of focused phlebotomy training can complement CNA training for students planning to apply for PCT positions involving specimen collection.

Tuition and Cost

The complete Charleston phlebotomy program costs approximately $1,195.

Students should confirm whether the current price includes the national certification examination, textbooks, laboratory supplies, and all required equipment.

Health screenings, BLS training, uniforms, and other employment-related requirements may be separate.

Program Length

The program includes approximately 48 hours of in-person training.

Morning, evening, weekend, and accelerated schedules may be available, allowing students to complete the classroom portion within several weeks.

Southeastern College operates a campus in North Charleston.

Its Medical Assisting Certificate is a broader alternative for students who want extensive laboratory training, an externship, and clinical skills that overlap with PCT responsibilities.

The program is longer than a short CNA or PCT course but provides substantially more instructional and practical training.

Programs Offered

The Medical Assisting Certificate covers anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, laboratory procedures, clinical procedures, electronic health records, medical office management, billing, and coding.

Clinical training includes EKG procedures, vital signs, injections, venipuncture, patient assistance, blood chemistry, urinalysis, and other laboratory skills.

Students also complete 320 hours of externship training across two externship courses.

Medical assisting usually focuses more heavily on outpatient clinics than inpatient bedside care.

Students targeting hospital PCT jobs should check whether local employers also prefer CNA certification.

Tuition and Cost

Southeastern College provides individualized tuition information during enrollment rather than advertising one simple current total.

Students should expect a private career-college program of this length to cost well into the five figures.

Applicants should request a complete cost sheet showing tuition, institutional fees, books, uniforms, supplies, screening expenses, and certification costs before enrolling.

Financial aid may be available to qualifying students.

Program Length

The Charleston Medical Assisting Certificate includes 36 semester credits and 1,040 instructional clock hours.

Full-time students can complete it in approximately eight months.

Part-time students take approximately 14 months.

ECPI University operates a Charleston campus and offers an Associate of Applied Science in Health Science with a concentration in Medical Assisting.

This is the longest option on the list, but it may appeal to students who want an associate degree instead of a short occupational certificate.

Programs Offered

Students study patient assessment, medical terminology, clinical procedures, laboratory testing, phlebotomy, EKG procedures, anatomy, pharmacology, medical records, and healthcare office operations.

The curriculum combines classroom education with hands-on laboratory instruction and an externship at a healthcare facility.

The program can prepare graduates for several medical assisting and related healthcare certification opportunities.

Students interested specifically in PCT employment should still compare the degree with local hospital requirements for CNA or bedside-care experience.

Tuition and Cost

Medical Assisting tuition is approximately $7,848 per semester.

The accelerated associate degree requires four semesters, placing base tuition at approximately $31,392 before technology fees and other required expenses.

Financial assistance may be available to students who qualify.

Program Length

The Medical Assisting associate degree requires 61 semester credits and approximately 1,170 contact hours.

Full-time students can complete the accelerated program in approximately 15 months.