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On-Campus Patient Care Technician Diploma Program

On-campus training with online learning.

A patient care technician explaining paperwork to a patient after completing patient care technician training

Train for a career in a growing field.1

Classes start on soon.

Earn your diploma in 12 months.2

Down caret

By clicking the Request Info button, you agree to be contacted by phone, text message, or email via automated systems by Ultimate Medical Academy about your education at the email addresses and phone numbers you provided above, including any wireless number(s). You are not obligated to agree to automated contact to enroll; instead, you may call us at 888-205-2510. Note that even non-automated calls are recorded for quality assurance.

What is a Patient Care Technician?

Patient care technicians are dedicated and empathetic healthcare professionals who support doctors, nurses, and other staff members in providing compassionate care. This may include taking vital signs, completing lab work, helping patients bathe and move, performing administrative duties, and more.

Patient Care Technician Diploma Program

Your Patient Care Technician Education Path in 12 Months2

In UMA’s Patient Care Technician program, your experience matters to us. With offer a blended learning format that includes a campus environment with the added benefit of online learning features. You’ll attend labs on a weekly basis while also being able to access lectures and other course material from the comfort of your home.

Classes start soon

Patient Care Technician Diploma Program

12 months2

Certification Prep

Prepare to sit for the following exams, if eligible:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant exam
  • Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant exam
  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam

On-Site Externship Included

180 hours of supervised training

While graduates will be prepared to take the State of Florida Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) examination to enhance their employment prospects in certain healthcare settings such as nursing homes, students are not required to sit for this examination. Patient Care Technicians are not a licensed profession in Florida and graduates can work as Patient Care Technicians in many settings without taking or passing the CNA examination.

a patient care technician pulling covers up to the chin of a pediatric patient lying in bed

Working as a Patient Care Technician

The Patient Care Technician Diploma Program at UMA's Clearwater Campus helps prepare you for entry-level positions in the field through a combination of online lectures and coursework as well as hands-on lab settings at the campus and an on-site externship. Through this approach, you'll focus on topics such as pathology, body systems, operating diagnostic equipment, and administering EKGs.

Employment is projected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033 and is projected to have 216,200 job openings each year, on average, over that decade.1

UMA graduates in this program have found entry-level patient care technician positions in the following environments:

  • CheckDialysis clinics
  • CheckHospitals
  • CheckUrgent care clinics
  • CheckNursing homes (long-term care)
  • CheckPhysician offices
gloved hands of a patient care technician holding a patient’s hand to provide comfort

Why UMA?

Choose a healthcare program at a school that supports the whole student.

Student Support

  • Check1-on-1 academic assistance
  • CheckIndividual help in the job search
  • CheckPotential resource guidance for outside the classroom
  • CheckCommitted advisors from start to finish

On-Campus Learning

  • CheckOn-campus programs are blended, featuring hands-on training and online coursework.
  • CheckPrograms include on-site externships to help you gain real-world experience.
  • CheckYou'll participate in classrooms with a maximum size of 25 students.

Certification Prep

  • CheckOur programs help prepare you to sit for applicable certification exams if you meet eligibility requirements.
  • CheckOur team will help you with exam-focused material and support you in areas where you might need extra help, at no additional cost.
Quotation mark

Andrianna T.

UMA Graduate

Andrianna T.

Don't give up. No matter what obstacles you face or anything that happens in life, just know that it’s worth finishing school — getting that degree.

Program Outline

Diploma

Patient Care Technician Diploma Program

12 month program2

31.5 Credits

Core Courses

Principles of Allied Health

5 Credits

Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology

5 Credits

Pharmacology

4.5 Credits

Clinical Lab Procedures & Phlebotomy

4 Credits

Clinical Externship

4 Credits

Nursing Assistant

5 Credits

Advanced Phlebotomy

4 Credits

Quotation mark

Tarnesia L.

UMA Graduate

Tarnesia L.

UMA has given me the care of emotional support, education support...when it comes to learning services, especially the library, they’re almost like a family.

Frequently Asked Questions

The patient care technician is someone who works alongside physicians and nurses to provide the day-to-day care that patients need. Generally, a patient care technician may operate diagnostic equipment, collect samples, and perform lab work. See nursing assistant andmedical assistantfor similar careers.

While the basic training may be similar between schools that offer patient care technician programs, UMA is pleased to offer an extensive list of student services, all included in our tuition. UMA is a school that offers a Patient Care Technician career training program which includes one-on-one academic support, on-site externship, help with writing your resume, job interview coaching, and job search assistance.

Different people have different ideas of what makes a top school. To us, top schools that offer patient care technician programs should provide personal assistance every step of the way with services like one-on-one academic support. Top schools that offer patient care technician career training should also provide career services such as job search assistance.

The CPCT/A certification is not needed for a student to work in this role, although many employers might require it. Students receive course preparation to sit for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam, Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) exam, and Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam. Graduates must meet eligibility requirements to sit for the exams.

Ultimate Medical Academy is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES.org), a national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Though UMA is not a university or college, we offer online diplomas and degrees as well as blended healthcare programs, some of which offer on-site externships/practicums and certification preparation — all intended to put you in a position to pursue a healthcare career after graduation.

The cover of the 2024 UMA Catalog

Browse the 2024 UMA Catalog

Take a look at the UMA Catalog for comprehensive information on programs, course descriptions, admissions, finance, and more.

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Advance Your Education

Your associate degree doesn’t need to be the end of your education. UMA maintains agreements with various educational partners where you may be able to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in select areas of study.

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Explore Financial Aid

If you qualify for financial aid, we’ll walk you through the process. Multiple resources may be available to help pay for the cost of your education. Our Student Finance advisors are committed to helping you understand your options.

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Take the Healthcare Career Quiz

Try our fun and informational Healthcare Career Quiz to better understand which UMA program might align with your goals. In just a few minutes, answer some simple personality questions and get your results instantly!