Technician Programs

Patient Care Technicians

As the baby boomers reach retirement age and begin to enter hospitals for various health reasons, the need for patient care technicians will only grow.

Patient Care Technician Salary Range
Salaries for patient care technicians, including patient representatives and admitting clerks, range from $22,748 to $46,982, according to Salary.com. Admitting clerks and patient representatives and earn median salaries of $25,086 and $38,546, respectively, according to Salary.com.

Starting Patient Care Technician Salaries
The average starting phlebotomy technician salary, nationally, is $20,000, according to What2Be.Net. Delta College estimates that starting phlebotomist wages are between $8 and $10.30 per hour.

Certification and Patient Care Technician Salaries
Certification is not a requirement of employment for phlebotomy technicians; however, it can increase a phlebotomist's earnings. Several national organizations, including the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Sciences (NAACS), offer certifying examinations. Salary levels are affected most by occupational setting (hospitals, blood banks, and private laboratories), experience, and state/area of residence.? Look into degree programs at various online schools to see if you can start your certification while you work.

Career Description
Patient care technicians, also known as patient representatives or admitting interviewers, are the first point of contact for patients at the hospital. They obtain information required for hospital records and also provide patients information, guidance, and reassurance.

Responsibilities include assigning beds according to needs and availability, explaining policy, preparing the patient for transportation to their assigned room, and entering patient information into a computer. Technicians also may research records, assist in collections, handle calls, and assist family members.

Educational Requirements
A high school diploma or equivalent is required to pursue a career as a patient care technician. Some hospitals prefer candidates with vocational training or associate degrees in health services, due to the increasing complexity of public and private insurance programs. Candidates also should be able to understand medical terminology and type 40 words-per-minute.

Additionally, prospective employers look for applicants who have experience with insurance, computers, and the public, as well as prior hospital volunteer work.

Use our technician salary calculator to review patient care technician salaries in your region.