Patient Care Technician Program Goals and Objectives

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) program provides students with the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to enter the healthcare field as patient care technicians in hospitals, community health facilities, and the patient’s primary residence. Patient care technicians work with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to oversee and monitor patients. As vital members of the healthcare team, they provide direct patient care and comfort measures, take patients’ vital signs, collect specimens, and much more.

The objectives of the PCT program are to:

  • Reading and Written Communication: Students will demonstrate competent writing and reading throughout their programs of study.
  • Oral Communication: Students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills in both general and major-specific contexts.
  • Critical Analysis and Reasoning: Students will use critical analysis and reasoning, supported by knowledge and skills learned throughout their degree programs, to enhance personal and professional decision making:
    • Quantitative analysis and reasoning
    • Analysis and reasoning in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and arts
    • Ethical analysis and reasoning
    • Reasoning in career-related contexts
  • Knowledge and Skills for Living in a Diverse Society: Students will consider multiple perspectives (quantitative and qualitative, among individuals, from different cultural contexts, etc.) when making decisions independently or as part of a team.
  • Information Literacy: Students will define and articulate their needs for information and access this information effectively and efficiently.
  • Integration of Learning: Students will develop the ability to integrate their learning, making connections within their major, between fields, between curricular and co-curricular activities, and between academic knowledge and practice.
  • Provide students with a solid foundation in general sciences to provide safe and effective care across the life span to patients in a variety of healthcare settings.
  • Provide students with the knowledge and skills to work collaboratively with members of the healthcare team to provide patient care and manage medical emergencies.
  • Ensure students enter the workforce as qualified and technically skilled healthcare professionals in the ever-changing healthcare environment.
  • Provide students with the knowledge and skills required for pursuing professional certification offered in the field including certified patient care technician (CPCT), certified electrocardiography technician (CET), and/or certified phlebotomy technician (CPT).
  • Educate students regarding the ethical, legal, and professional principles of the healthcare profession and the scope of their practice as a patient advocate.
  • Instruct students to employ HIPAA, OSHA, Standard Precautions, and other infection control measures in the healthcare setting.
  • Prepare students to effectively interact with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team in a therapeutic and professional manner.