7 Best PCT Schools in Nashville, TN

Nashville State Community College is a public community college serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Its workforce division offers a fully online Patient Care Technician program that is particularly convenient for students who need to study around work or family commitments.

Because the course is online, students should consider how they will obtain hands-on patient-care experience before applying for positions that require practical clinical skills.

Programs Offered

The PCT course covers basic patient care, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, infection control, vital signs, mobility assistance, patient hygiene, wound care, specimen collection, phlebotomy concepts, and EKG procedures.

The program prepares students for either the NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant examination or the AMCA Patient Care Technician certification examination.

A national certification exam voucher is included with the course.

Tuition and Cost

The complete PCT program costs approximately $3,089.

Course materials and a certification examination voucher are included.

Students may need to budget separately for BLS certification, scrubs, a computer, internet access, background screening, and practical clinical experience.

Program Length

The program includes approximately 325 hours.

Students receive up to 12 months to complete the self-paced online curriculum.

Remington College is a private career college with a campus in Nashville.

Its Patient Care Technician Diploma is one of the most comprehensive programs in the city, specifically using the PCT title.

This option is better suited to students who want structured, hands-on education rather than a short online certification course.

Programs Offered

Students study medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, basic PCT responsibilities, direct patient care, phlebotomy, electrocardiography, rehabilitation support, safety, and patient communication.

The program focuses on preparing students to assist nurses and other healthcare professionals with routine patient-care duties in hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and similar settings.

Students receive hands-on instruction with clinical procedures rather than learning entirely online.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition for the Patient Care Technician Diploma is approximately $9,500.

Required textbooks, supplies, uniforms, equipment, or a laptop may create additional expenses depending on the student’s enrollment package.

Financial aid may be available to qualifying students.

Program Length

The diploma can be completed in as few as eight months.

TN Professional Training Institute is located in Murfreesboro, approximately 35 miles southeast of downtown Nashville.

It offers one of the fastest comprehensive PCT programs available to Nashville-area students.

The school provides full-time, evening, and weekend schedules.

Programs Offered

Students learn direct patient care, vital signs, patient histories, hygiene, mobility assistance, infection control, phlebotomy, EKG procedures, medication-related concepts, patient preparation, and communication.

Training includes classroom education and practical work in a clinical simulation laboratory.

Applicants must generally be at least 18 and possess a high school diploma, GED, or HiSET.

Students must complete all required hours and maintain satisfactory academic performance.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition is approximately $4,600.

Students paying the entire amount in cash may qualify for a discounted price of approximately $4,140.

Additional expenses can include textbooks, black scrubs, closed-toe shoes, certification testing, and other required supplies.

Workforce and grant funding may be available to eligible students.

Program Length

The program includes 160 hours.

Full-time students can finish in four weeks.

Evening classes take approximately 14 weeks, while the Saturday-only schedule takes about 20 weeks.

Nashville Health Career Center offers a state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program on Wedgewood Avenue.

This is not a complete PCT program, but it provides a fast and unusually affordable way to obtain the nursing assistant skills that form the foundation of many PCT positions.

Programs Offered

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

The program prepares students for Tennessee nurse aide certification testing.

After becoming a CNA, students can add phlebotomy and EKG training to build a broader PCT skill set.

Tuition and Cost

Training is free.

However, students sign an agreement to work full-time for at least one year at a participating CareRite Centers facility after earning certification.

This makes the program especially attractive for students who want training connected directly to employment.

Program Length

The accelerated program takes approximately three weeks.

Classes generally meet Monday through Friday during daytime hours.

Nashville General Hospital School of Health Sciences offers a hospital-based Phlebotomy Technician Certification program in Nashville.

It is particularly useful for CNAs or other patient-care workers who want to add blood-drawing skills and real clinical experience.

Programs Offered

Students learn venipuncture, patient identification, specimen collection, blood-handling procedures, infection prevention, point-of-care testing, equipment use, and professional patient communication.

The first six weeks consist of classroom instruction.

Students then complete six weeks of clinical experience, generally spending one full weekday per week in clinical training.

The curriculum prepares students for the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician examination.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition is approximately $950, plus a $50 application fee.

Students should also budget approximately $85 for a textbook, $35 for liability insurance, $50 for a background check, $35 for drug screening, plus uniforms and healthcare requirements.

The total is generally around $1,200 to $1,400 before certification testing and personal health expenses.

Program Length

The Phlebotomy Technician program takes 12 weeks.

Volunteer State Community College is a public college in Gallatin, approximately 30 miles northeast of downtown Nashville.

Its workforce health sciences division offers Clinical Medical Assistant, phlebotomy, and EKG-related training.

These programs are useful for students who want hands-on technical skills associated with PCT work.

Programs Offered

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant course teaches patient histories, vital signs, basic patient care, laboratory procedures, specimen collection, and other clinical responsibilities.

Students complete classroom and laboratory instruction followed by an 80-hour clinical rotation.

The separate Phlebotomy Technician course includes venipuncture, capillary collection, specimen handling, infection control, and a two-week clinical rotation.

Tuition and Cost

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant course costs approximately $900.

The Phlebotomy Technician course costs approximately $995.

Additional expenses may include scrubs, background screening, drug testing, immunizations, supplies, and certification requirements.

Program Length

The Clinical Medical Assistant course includes approximately 140 contact hours plus a clinical rotation.

Phlebotomy also includes approximately 140 hours and is typically completed over several months.

Phlebotomy Training Specialists operates an in-person training center in Nashville.

It is a practical option for current CNAs, medical assistants, or patient-care workers who only need to add blood-drawing skills.

Programs Offered

Students learn venipuncture, anatomy, medical terminology, specimen collection, infection control, laboratory safety, patient interaction, and professional blood-drawing procedures.

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

National certification exam preparation is included.

Tuition and Cost

The complete program costs approximately $1,095.

The price includes the application fee, tuition, textbook, supplies, equipment, and national certification examination fee.

Program Length

Most Nashville cohorts can be completed in approximately three to four weeks, depending on the selected day, evening, or weekend schedule.