Patient Care Technician is a Diploma program offered by ICR Florida Education in North Miami Beach, FL. The program takes 600 clock hours: 30 weeks full time, 50 weeks evenings or 60 weeks on weekends to complete, with a total tuition of $10,000.
Program Overview
Patient Care Technician, 600 clock hours. The Patient Care Technician (PCT) program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions by providing comprehensive training in patient care assistance, nursing assistant duties, home health care, phlebotomy, and diagnostic testing, including electrocardiography (EKG). This program is designed for those interested in an entry level position as patient care technicians in a nursing home, rehabilitation facility, extended care facility, a hospital, or as Home Health Care Aid.
Skills and certifications. The student will learn to apply basic types of patient care technician/home health care and the basic use of phlebotomy and EKG equipment. The student will receive all required in-service training and certifications such as domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, OSHA, Infection Control and Universal Precautions, geriatric care, understanding Alzheimer's Disease, assisting with Self-Administered Medication, and BLS training.
Program objective. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a diploma and will be prepared to begin work as entry-level Patient Care Technicians. Graduates will possess the knowledge, practical skills, and hands-on experience necessary to provide patient care in a variety of healthcare settings.
Delivery mode. This program is delivered onsite (non-distance), with lab practice and a supervised practicum.
What sets this Program apart
PCT clinical training. Vital signs, capillary glucose, specimen collection, venipuncture and phlebotomy; basic EKG and patient preparation. Focus on technique, hygiene, and safety.
Direct care and ADLs. Safe mobilization and transfer, hygiene in bed/chair, skin care, assisted feeding, and patient comfort, always preserving dignity.
Supervised practice. Hands-on training of Patient Care Technician within our educational facilities, with clinical simulation, guided practices, and direct instructor supervision throughout the training process, and an externship with a competency checklist.
Communication and safety. EMR registration, office preparation, communication with nursing (SBAR), infection control/OSHA, and event protocol, with preparation for certifications and OSHA standards, small groups and bilingual support.
Admission Requirements and Process
Enrollment requirements. To enroll at ICR Florida Education, prospective students schedule an interview with the Admissions Office; a campus visit is strongly encouraged prior to enrollment. During the interview, an Admissions Representative reviews the institution's programs, policies, and student expectations. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and not currently enrolled in high school; students under the age of 18 must present parental or legal guardian consent. All applicants must provide a government issued identification.
Education. Applicants must provide proof of high school completion, GED, or post-secondary education. Applicants with foreign credentials must submit a copy of the original credential and an official translation and evaluation by a recognized credentialing agency. Applicants with foreign credentials pending evaluation may be admitted conditionally for a maximum of three weeks; admission becomes final upon receipt and approval of the evaluation, and if the credential is found not to be equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma the student is canceled without financial penalty (except the non-refundable fee).
Orientation and Enrollment Agreement. All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a New Student Orientation conducted by the Admissions Department and sign an official Enrollment Agreement prior to beginning classes.
Disclosures. ICR Florida Education does not require a background check at the time of enrollment. However, students are advised that certain criminal convictions may limit employment opportunities in their chosen field of study, and not all employers accept candidates under 18 years of age, even if the student has completed the training program.
Transfer of credit. ICR awards transfer credit for coursework completed at other accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States for courses equivalent in content and duration to those in the student's program, with a minimum grade of 2.0 (C/70%), and may accept up to seventy-five percent of the total program hours from another institution. Students request it by having an official transcript sent to the Admissions Department. ICR does not offer credit for prior learning, experience, or by examination.
Reentry. Students wishing to reenter after being withdrawn submit a request for reentry, satisfy the admissions criteria in effect at that time and any outstanding financial obligations, and start at the first available reentry point. Students who have been dismissed are not eligible for reentry until a minimum of six months has elapsed.
General Requirements
- Admissions interviewSchedule an interview with the Admissions Office, where an Admissions Representative reviews the programs, policies and student expectations; a campus visit is strongly encouraged.
- Minimum ageBe at least 16 years of age and not currently enrolled in high school; students under the age of 18 must present parental or legal guardian consent.
- Photo identificationProvide a valid government-issued photo identification.
- Proof of educationProvide proof of high school completion, a GED, or post-secondary education.
- Foreign credentialsApplicants with foreign credentials submit a copy of the original credential and an official translation and evaluation by a recognized credentialing agency.
- Orientation and Enrollment AgreementAttend the New Student Orientation conducted by the Admissions Department and sign the official Enrollment Agreement before classes begin.
Application Process
- 1Request informationAsk about start dates, schedules and scholarship opportunities for the program.
- 2Admissions interview and campus tourAn Admissions Representative reviews the institution's programs, policies and student expectations with you, and verifies your ID and High School Diploma/GED.
- 3Choose schedule and cohortChoose day, night, or weekend, according to your availability.
- 4Enrollment and registrationDefine your payment plan, receive the welcome from Admissions and learn about the financial aid options and payment facilities; the $100 registration fee is paid at the time of enrollment.
- 5Complete the FAFSASubmit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid with ICR's school code 043129, then schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Officer.FAFSA Code for North Miami Beach: 043129FAFSA at studentaid.gov
- 6Orientation and Enrollment AgreementAttend the New Student Orientation and sign the official Enrollment Agreement before your classes begin.
Program Schedule
Program duration. Full time students complete the program in 30 weeks, attending Monday through Thursday 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. Part-time students complete the program in 50 weeks, attending Monday through Wednesday 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Weekend students complete the program in 60 weeks, attending Saturdays or Sundays 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Title IV academic year. The Patient Care Technician program is defined as 30 weeks and 600 clock hours. The part-time Night program is 50 weeks and 600 clock hours, and the part-time Weekend (Saturday) and Weekend (Sunday) programs are 60 weeks and 600 clock hours.
Upcoming starts. The academic calendar in the catalog lists Patient Care Technician starts on November 19, 2026 and November 25, 2026. Class schedules are subject to change depending on enrollments.
Attendance and drop/add. Students who do not attend class for 14 consecutive days may be withdrawn, and only the actual hours of attendance count toward program completion. The drop/add period is limited to the first 25% of the scheduled hours of the assigned class.
Holidays. The school is closed for Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, the Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving week, and the Christmas recess from December 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027. In an emergency, inclement weather or natural disaster, the school closes as determined by the Miami Dade County Public School system.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name |
|---|---|
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited school means its training has been reviewed against independent standards that protect students.
This school: ICR Florida Education is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE, ID 361800) and licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education, License No. 6286.
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Reviewed against independent standards
- Recognized by employers and licensing boards
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition and fees. Program costs include a registration fee, tuition, books and supplies, and certification or examination fees, as printed in the catalog's Tuition and Fees table.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | $100 |
| Tuition (600 hours) | $10,000 |
| Books and supplies | $574 |
| Exam and certification fees | $575 |
| Total program cost | $11,249 |
About the fees. The registration fee must be paid at the time of enrollment, and it is a non-refundable fee. Exam fees are set by the testing agency and are subject to change. Books and supplies fees are non-refundable after the drop/add period has elapsed.
Federal student aid. The catalog names Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Patient Care Technician and Restricted Barber as its Title IV-eligible programs. Eligible students may receive Federal Pell Grant funds and Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, subject to program eligibility and federal regulations; the school's Financial Aid page also lists Federal Direct PLUS Loans for parents of dependent students. Prospective students seeking financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, school code 043129) and schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Officer.
Clock-hour aid. ICR Florida Education is a clock-hour institution: financial aid eligibility, disbursement, and satisfactory academic progress are based on clock-hour completion. Funds are first applied to institutional charges, and students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible.
Payments. Tuition and fees must be paid according to the terms outlined in the Enrollment Agreement. Students who do not pay by the agreed and scheduled deadline or installment payment schedule are assessed a $25 late payment fee, once per month.
Alumni Grant. Graduates of an ICR Florida Education program who enroll in a new, distinct program may receive an Alumni Grant applied to tuition. For Patient Care Technician the award schedule lists: after Skin Care Specialist, Nail Technician or Barber, $4,500; after another of Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician or Dental Assistant, $2,000; after Home Health Aide, $1,000. Awards are subject to the availability of institutional funds and require an Alumni Grant Application Form before the start of classes.
Cancellation and refunds. All monies paid are refunded if the institution does not accept the applicant or if the student cancels within three business days after signing the Enrollment Agreement and making the initial payment. If cancellation occurs after the third business day but before the first day of class, all monies paid are refunded except the non-refundable registration fee. A student who withdraws after attendance has begun and before completing 60% of the payment period receives a pro rata refund; after 60%, the student has earned 100% of institutional charges for that period. All refunds due are issued within 30 days.
Net Price Calculator. ICR Florida Education publishes a Net Price Calculator to estimate the net price of attending.
Curriculum
8 courses, 600 clock hours. The curriculum totals 334 theory hours and 266 lab and clinical hours, as listed in the course table below. A clock hour is a period of 60 minutes with a minimum of 50 minutes of guided instruction. Courses may not be delivered in the order presented; ICR Florida Education reserves the right to deliver courses in the order deemed appropriate.
Grades and progress. Courses are graded A (90-100) through F (0-59) on a 4.0 scale, with S and U for pass/fail courses. Students must complete at least 67% of scheduled clock hours and hold a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 at each evaluation period. Satisfactory Academic Progress is evaluated at 300 and 600 scheduled hours. A student who falls short is placed on academic warning, then academic probation, before withdrawal.
Graduation. To graduate and receive a diploma, students complete all programmatic courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, complete 100% of the total scheduled hours (documented make-up hours and excused absences within 10% count as completed), remain in good academic standing, complete Federal Student Loan Exit Counseling if they received Title IV aid, and fulfil all tuition and fee obligations.
Practicum. The final course, PCT102, includes 80 hours of practice of Patient Care Technician skills, among them phlebotomy and EKG procedures, and 40 hours of Nursing Assistant skills, at the externship facilities.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Lecture | Lab | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Careers. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a diploma and will be prepared to begin work as entry-level Patient Care Technicians, in an entry level position in a nursing home, rehabilitation facility, extended care facility, a hospital, or as Home Health Care Aid.
Certification exams. ICR Florida Education is an assessment site approved by MedCA, an independent third-party certification agency, and its continuing education classes include preparation for the Certified Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomy Technician (PH1) and EKG Technician (EKG1) exams. Obtaining a MedCA certification does not guarantee employment.
Career Services. The Career Services department maintains a professional relationship with employers to help connect qualified graduates with job opportunities, and acts as a liaison between students, graduates, and employers. Career Services staff assist graduates with resume preparation, interviewing skills, and identifying job leads, and graduates meet with Career Services during their last term to discuss available opportunities and services. It is the graduate's responsibility to secure employment.
Employment guarantee disclaimer. ICR Florida Education will gladly assist students in their pursuit of suitable employment at no additional charge; however, ICR Florida Education does not promise nor guarantee job placement for its students or graduates.
What to expect as an ICR Florida Education student
A bilingual school. ICR Florida Education offers all programs in English and Spanish to ensure accessibility and support for a diverse student population. English proficiency is essential for employment in many healthcare and technical settings in the United States, and completing a course or program in a language other than English may limit employability in environments where English communication is required by law, regulation, or employer policy.
The campus. ICR operates a fully air-conditioned and well-lit facility of approximately 13,000 square feet in North Miami Beach, with classrooms, fully equipped laboratories, a media center/library, and dedicated student and staff lounges. The facilities are fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, with elevator access to the second floor and parking, and the school is near public transportation and local restaurants.
Attendance. ICR is an attendance taking institution and students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Students that arrive late may be required to make up for missing hours, and three tardies result in one absence. Students requiring an absence longer than 14 days due to reasonable circumstances, such as family illness, disability, or emergency, may request a Leave of Absence.
Uniform and ID. Students enrolled in diploma programs wear the designated school uniform, clean and pressed, with closed-toe shoes and the personal protective equipment their courses require, during all class sessions, labs, and clinical activities. All students are issued an ID card, which must be worn at all times while on campus and on externship sites.
In class. Cell phones are silenced or turned off during class sessions and used only for academic purposes the instructor authorizes. Food, beverages and chewing gum are not permitted in classrooms and laboratories, and the campus is smoke-free. Every student receives an official institutional email account, the official method of communication between the school and students.
Support. Tutoring is provided upon student request, and instructors are available by appointment to provide demonstrations, answer questions, and conduct academic reviews, at no additional cost. Enrolled students have access to LIRN, an electronic library with more than 60 million journal articles, books and other resources. ICR does not offer housing, but offers information on local apartments and rental opportunities near the campus.
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Other Programs at North Miami Beach
ICR Florida Education in North Miami Beach, FL also offers these 6 programs at 633 NE 167th Street, Suite 200, North Miami Beach, FL 33162.
- Dental AssistantDiploma · 720 clock hours: 36 weeks full time, 60 weeks evenings, weekends or hybrid, or 72 weeks on weekends
- Home Health AideDiploma · 75 clock hours: 5 weeks full time, or 8 weeks on Saturdays or Sundays
- Medical AssistantDiploma · 720 clock hours: 36 weeks full time, 60 weeks evenings, weekends or hybrid, or 72 weeks on weekends
- Nail TechnicianDiploma · 180 clock hours: 10 weeks full time, or 16 weeks on Saturdays or Sundays
- Restricted BarberDiploma · 600 clock hours: 30 weeks full time, or 34 weeks hybrid evenings or weekends
- Skin Care SpecialistDiploma · 220 clock hours: 14 weeks full time, or 24 weeks on Saturdays or Sundays