Patient Care Technician (2024)

About the Program

In this 16-week program you will gain experience working under the direct supervision of nurses, providing care for hospitalized patients. The program is offered at the following locations:

Learn the Skills for a Healthcare Career in Just 16 Weeks

Graduates of the Patient Care Technician Program can work as Patient Care Technicians, providingvital patient care under the direct supervision of a nurse. You will help patients with daily living activities, such as bathing and eating. You will also take vital signs, draw blood specimens, perform wound care and dressing changes, insert urinary catheters, perform EKGs, and other selected medical tests and procedures. You will learn other skills, too, like how to operate specialized equipment, and how to communicate with healthcare providers, patients, and family members during sometimes stressful situations. You will be responsible for delivering quality patient care in the acute care setting.

Your Educational Experience

As a student, you’ll learn in classrooms, skills labs, clinical settings, and online, thanks to the College’s emphasis on hybrid learning. You’ll learn material when it’s convenient for you, then come together in class to discuss what you’ve learned; or in skills labs, where you’ll apply that knowledge in a safe environment that can simulate nearly any medical condition you might encounter. You’ll gain 180 hours of hands-on experience along the way. So you’ll graduate uniquely prepared for one of the most challenging and rewarding careers anywhere. You'll also be eligible to sit for the national Patient Care Technician certification exam, allowing you to work in the field nationwide. This approach to education is what makes Sentara College of Health Sciences one of the top healthcare schools in the region, and will set you apart from all others.

Patient Care Technician at a Glance

Programis 16 weeks
Classes are part-time, covering about 16 hours of instruction, skills labs, and clinicals per week
Day and evening classes and clinical hours are available on a first come, first served basis
180 hours of hands-on experience in skills labs, simulation, and clinicals
The program is offered in January and Augusteach year
High school diploma or GED required to apply
Must be 18 years old by the first day of class
Now accepting applications for August 2024
Prepares you to work as a Patient Care Technician within Sentara
Patient Care Technicians are in high demand within Sentara and nationwide
Placement assistance is available within Sentara
Graduates are eligible to sit for the national Patient Care Technician certification exam
Note that this program does not qualify for federal student aid; payment plans and other assistance may be available
2023-2024 tuition, fees, and total cost of attendance
2024-2025 tuition, fees, and total cost of attendance

Career Opportunities as a Patient Care Technician

As a Patient Care Technician you will learn skills that can be of value to hospitals and clinics across the country. Your abilities providing patient-centric care and your specialized communication skills can be valuable in many roles within the healthcare industry. Patient Care Technicians serve patients’ needs on a personal level, using a skill set that can enhanceyour career and help you build a foundation for long-term success. If you choose to sit for the national certification, you can find yourself in demand for similar jobs nationwide.

To learn about this program's state authorizations and compliance disclosures, please click here.

Interested in applying to this program?

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New! Accelerated 12-Week Program Each Summer

Sentara College now offers an accelerated version of the Patient Care Technician Program. This program, offered each summer, is designed for students who intend to become nurses or other healthcare providers. Because this accelerated program covers 16 weeks of material in only 12 weeks, you must be highly motivated and meet stricter application criteria. Class size is small and seats are very limited.

How Does the Accelerated Program Differ?

12 weeks vs. 16 weeks
Daytime classes only
Now accepting forMay 2025
Intended for aspiring nurses and other care providers
Applicants must meet all criteria for the 16-week program, plus:
Must have successfully completed high school or college coursework in one of: Biology, Anatomy, Physiology/Pathophysiology, or Microbiology with a grade of "C-" or higher