Patient Care Technician Exam Study Guide
The patient care technician exam is an important exam for the candidates who wish to take up this career. By taking the exam, they will be certified to demonstrate the skills and knowledge this job demands.
They are the allied health care professionals who are responsible for providing direct care and attention to the patients within their scope of practice. They perform basic nursing assistant tasks which may include obtaining their vital signs, data and communicating with healthcare team members and patients. As a patient care technician, they are required to undertake the following tasks-
- Provide basic patient care
- Acquire and administer patient care supplies
- Perform the necessary safety checks
- Provide emotional support to patients and families
Eligibility for Patient Care Technician Exam
Candidates who wish to take this exam are required to apply along with the supporting documents to demonstrate they meet the criteria as set for the exam-
- Must possess a high school diploma or an equivalent
- Must have completed state-recognized training or
- Must have at least one year of working experience in the field they are seeking certification in. This work experience should be valid within the last 3 years.
The practice of some professions is required and regulated in certain states and it is the responsibility of the candidates to determine whether their certification meets the state requirements or not.
Syllabus for Patient Care Technician Exam
The questions in the exam are based on the latest job analysis and aspect so to make sure that the candidates are being evaluated on their latest skills. Below are the core areas that are usually covered in the exam-
- Patient Care- 45 questions Covers topics of general patient care and phlebotomy and EKG preparation.
- Compliance, safety, and professional responsibilities- 20 questions It addresses topics of how to report safety issues, transport and transfer of patients, monitor patients' environment, and prevention of workplace injuries, act in emergencies, guidelines and use of medical supplies, equipment. Professional responsibility covers BCLS certification, adherence to HIPAA, communication with medical personnel, medical terminology, following the chain of command, therapeutic communication.
- Infection control- 11 questions It addresses the use of universal standard and transmission-based precautions, disposal of biohazardous materials, transmission-based precautions, wear of PPE, execute aseptic and sterile techniques.
- Phlebotomy- 14 questions It covers how to perform primary and special collections and how to process them.
- EKG- 10 questions It addresses topics of how to use the EKG to calculate a patient's heart rate and identify artifacts, resolving of artifacts and record leads on patients, verification of leads, upload completed EKG to patient’s record, and EKG to measure the patient's heart rhythm.
The exam includes 20 unscored questions that are distributed in 4 categories. They are not identified therefore they need to factor their time accordingly.
Format for the Patient Care Technician Exam
The exam is administered through computer testing across the various testing centers. However, paper-based tests are also available in authorized centers. If candidates wish to take a paper-based exam they need to inform in advance to make the arrangements. It includes 120 questions out of which 100 are scored and 20 are unscored. Candidates are given 2 hours to complete the exam.
The fee for the examination is USD 155.
Scores for the Patient Care Technician Exam
The final scores are calculated and candidates would be able to review the same as soon as they complete the exam. The official results and certificates would be mailed within 7-10 working days. The score scale is 200-500.
Benefits of taking the Patient Care technician exam
Healthcare has been evolving over the years and there are a lot of requirements for patients care technicians. They work in various health care facilities like hospitals, adult day care, long-term care centers, community health centers, and many more. Their roles and responsibilities are confined to taking care of the patients by assisting doctors and other staff members. Taking the exam allows the candidates to have the required validation and authorization to apply for the esteemed institutions which are extremely beneficial for career prospects.
Study Guide And Test Preparation For Patient Care Technician Exam
A Complete Patient Care Technician Exam Study Guide that includes sample questions, test tips and a complete study plan prepared by a team of expert and dedicated researchers. Cost-effective and qualified exam help from a committed exam preparation company.
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