Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A)
Credential: Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A)
Credentialing Agency: National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Renewal Period: 2 years
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) is an entry-level certification for allied healthcare professionals who assist with the critical day-to-day care of patients. CPCT/As work with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to provide direct patient care. Some of the tasks that CPCT/As perform in their work include bathing, feeding, providing catheter care, acquiring, distributing, and administering patient care supplies, performing safety checks and ensuring cleanliness in patient rooms, accommodating special needs of patients, obtaining EKG readings and monitor vital signs, performing phlebotomy procedures, providing emotional support to patients and families, particularly coping with grief and death. CPCT/A applicants must pass the written exam, in addition to meeting education and training or work experience eligibility requirements.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience: 1 year
- Education: High School Diploma/GED
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY
Renewal Period: 2 years
AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
11161 Overbrook Road
Leawood, KS 66211
Phone: (913) 661-5592
Fax: (913) 661-6291
Email: info@nhanow.com
Education REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
Training and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have successfully completed an NHA approved training program within the past five (5) years.
Note: Formal medical services training in the field offered by any branch of the U.S. Military fulfills the training program.
Note: Applicants who completed training five or more years ago must also have one (1) year of relevant, supervised work experience within the past three (3) years.
Applicant must have worked within the past year in the field of certification for a minimum of one year.
Option 3:
Work Experience - Candidates must have at least one (1) year of supervised work experience in the health field covered by the NHA certification exam within the past three (3) years.
Note: Candidates whose date of graduation or completion from their training program is five years or more prior to the date of application, must have relevant work experience.
Other REQUIREMENTS
The Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) credential has the following other requirements:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Applicants must abide by and follow NHA's Code of Ethics included in NHA's Candidate Handbook.
Written Exam
-
Patient Care
- General Patient Care
- Patient Care and Preparation Related to Phlebotomy and EKG
- Safety
- Professional Responsibilities
- Infection Control
-
Phlebotomy
- Primary Collections
- Special Collections
- Processing
- EKG Monitoring
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) examination:
- Best Sources
- General References
Testing Information
Testing for this credential is handled by PSI. The test centers are located in the U.S.
To find out more, use the following links on the PSI website:
For more information on the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) testing process, visit the agency website.
RECERTIFICATION
Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A)
Renewal Period: 2 years