Patient Care Technician is a Certificate program (100% Online) offered by U.S. Career Institute in Fort Collins, CO. The program takes 306 clock hours to complete, with a total tuition of $1,279.
Program Overview
U.S. Career Institute’s self-paced, online Patient Care Technician program will prepare you for certification (CPCT/A) and a role as a Patient Care Technician in as little as 4 months.
The Patient Care Technician Program provides graduates with the skills necessary to professionally perform many patient care duties. Students learn the basics of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology and disease processes before moving on to clinical skills. The program enables students to care for patients, residents and clients in a professional manner. Students access online virtual labs to visualize clinical skills. These labs provide students with opportunities to familiarize themselves with skills, as well as interact with real-world scenarios to assess and evaluate how to handle such situations. In addition, students learn safety precautions and regulations, nutritional guidelines and effective communication skills.
What sets this Program apart
- 5-day money-back commitment
- DEAC Accredited
- 100% online, self-paced on phone or computer
- Proven Results: 86% CPCT Pass Rate vs. 77% National Average
- Complete in 4–5 months, part-time
- One-on-one career coaching & instructor support
- Start learning today - no waiting period
- A+ BBB Rating, 45 years in distance education, and 97% of students would recommend U.S. Career Institute to a friend.
- The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.
Lead instructor/course expert. Rebecca Gayheart earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Wheeling Jesuit University, her Master of Science in Nursing: Clinical Nurse Leader from Sacred Heart University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Berea College, Kentucky. Rebecca most recently completed her DNP from Aspen University in August 2024. Rebecca has over 20 years of experience spanning a large spectrum within the medical profession, from registered nurse to nurse practitioner to nursing instructor and clinical educator. She is currently a clinical educator for Archive Health, where she develops educational materials for NP and PA providers and is a nursing instructor at Southern New Hampshire University.
Admission Requirements and Process
To qualify for enrollment in the Patient Care Technician Program, an applicant must:
- Certify that she/he is a high school graduate, holds a state-approved Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) or its equivalent, or has completed college-level coursework; or otherwise demonstrate ability to perform postsecondary-level coursework (including test evidence).
- Submit a completed enrollment application with the required payment.
- Be at least 16 years of age.
U.S. Career Institute is an open enrollment school: as long as the applicant meets the admissions requirements for minimum education and age, they will be accepted into the school. Students must be able to read, write and speak English fluently. Students aged 16 and 17 may be admitted provided their parent or guardian signs the enrollment agreement; students under the age of 16 cannot be admitted. Applicants who do not meet the high school diploma or equivalent requirement are allowed to use test evidence to show they can benefit from the program: the first five grades the student receives serve as the basis for test evidence, and a “C” GPA meets the minimum education requirement. Most professional certification agencies have minimum age requirements (typically 18) to sit for a certification exam.
General Requirements
- Minimum ageYou must be at least 16 years old; students aged 16 and 17 need a parent or guardian to sign the enrollment agreement.
- High school diploma or GEDYou need a high school diploma or GED, or college-level coursework; otherwise you may use test evidence to show you can benefit from the program.
- EnglishYou must be able to read, write and speak English fluently.
- Basic informationThe enrollment form asks for your name, email, phone, date of birth and education level.
- Enrollment agreementYou must submit a completed enrollment application or agreement with the required payment.
Application Process
- 1Ask your questionsRequest information online or call U.S. Career Institute toll-free at 866-250-6851 to learn more.
- 2Provide basic informationThe form asks for your name, email, phone, date of birth and education level.
- 3Pay for your tuitionYou can pay in full or choose the monthly payment plan.
- 4Sign the enrollment agreement and disclosuresEnrollment takes about 5 minutes; the school accepts enrollments 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- 5Start your first lessonUpon enrollment, students have immediate access to their program online, with 12 months to complete it.
Program Schedule
The Patient Care Technician program is 306 clock hours, delivered in 23 lessons with 19 quizzes. Students can complete it in 4-5 months, studying part-time. Classes are 100% online and self-paced, on your phone or computer, with no due dates or deadlines.
The program is designed for guided independent study through distance learning, and is self-paced. Each program is designed to be completed in 12 months or less; the student has 12 months after enrollment to complete the program, and a student who needs more time should follow the leave of absence procedure. The school accepts enrollments 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and upon enrollment students have immediate access to their program online. All quizzes are open book.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
U.S. Career Institute is committed to making your Patient Care Technician education affordable. Start a new career that you’ll love and find fulfilling without a mountain of debt!
- Option 1, pay in full: $979 (save $300); the application charge is waived.
- Option 2, monthly auto payments: $1,279 in total at $69 a month, with a first payment of $69, plus a one-time $29 application charge.
First payment includes $40 down payment and $29 application charge. Application charge is non-refundable.
5-day money-back commitment. After you receive your first lesson, you have 5 full days to decide if our program is the best route for you.
Funding. U.S. Career Institute participates in military education benefit programs and the MyCAA spouse support tuition program; specific questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the Veterans Administration by calling 1-888-GIBILL1. U.S. Career Institute also participates in various employer-paid and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. U.S. Career Institute does not participate in other financial aid programs.
All enrollments are assessed a one-time $29 application charge (2026 catalog price list). Students who wish to purchase textbooks or manuals may do so for an additional charge.
Required Courses
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Career Outcomes
U.S. Career Institutes self-paced online Patient Care Technician training is designed to prepare graduates for the Patient Care Technician Certification (CPCT/A) exam, administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Included with our Patient Care Tech course, we cover the cost of your certification exam, study guide and practice test - a $258 value!. The certification process is straightforward, and no prior medical experience is required to become a patient care tech.
State Requirements
A career in this field may require you to meet certain licensing, training, and other requirements that can vary by vocation and state. You should check with your state, local government and/or licensing board to find out which requirements may be applicable in your state.
Start an exciting and rewarding career working at hospitals, nursing homes, home healthcare agencies, hospice, assisted living facilities or long-term living facilities and become a vital part of the medical team.
The average PCT exam pass rate for U.S. Career Institute graduates is 86% vs. the National Average of 77%.
What to expect as a U.S. Career Institute student
Beginner-Friendly Lessons. Classes are designed for anyone to easily learn, and are broken up into digestible sections that build as you progress through our program. No due dates or deadlines.
Engaging Curriculum. Reading lessons, supplemental videos, interactive exercises, note taking, read-aloud and disability features, and open note multiple choice quizzes with no time limit.
Hands-On Supplemental Learning. All students receive a blood pressure cuff, stethoscope and cover to assist with the Vital Signs content.
Student support and coaching. Your tuition includes access to instructors via phone and email, student services, tutoring, resume and job interview support, and one-on-one career coaching (a $400 value).
Learning materials included. Your tuition includes e-books, study guides, supplemental videos, and interactive exercises. Hard copy books are also available for under $50. Everything is included - no hidden fees after enrollment.
Grading and graduation. To graduate, students must submit all quizzes, attain a final average of 70% or higher, have a signed enrollment agreement on file and have paid tuition in full; U.S. Career Institute then releases the Certificate of Completion. Students with a grade point average of 93 or higher are awarded a seat on the Dean’s List.
Graduate support. U.S. Career Institute provides continuing employment instruction and advice, including training in job-search techniques, résumé and letter writing, interviewing and presentation skills, available to all graduates whenever they request it. The school cannot promise or guarantee employment and does not provide job placement services.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
U.S. Career Institute is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. It is approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board.
Curriculum
The Patient Care Technician program totals 306 clock hours, taught in 4 instruction packs, listed below as the course outline.
U.S. Career Institute’s curriculum is developed specifically for the distance education learner by instructional designers who specialize in how to develop content for adults and well-qualified subject matter experts that include a registered nurse, certified professional coder, and LPN, to ensure quality content. The current subject matter expert has a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) and is a family nurse practitioner (FNP-C). In addition, USCI works with a program advisory council of non-USCI employees who work in the medical field to review content annually to ensure students receive content that is up-to-date, relevant and accurate.
Graduates of this program will have the theoretical instruction and practical administrative skills to prepare them for entry-level patient care technician positions. The coursework trains students to:
- Describe the role and responsibilities of patient care technicians in the healthcare system.
- Apply medical terminology, anatomy and communication skills.
- Understand the use of charting and electronic medical records in healthcare practice.
- Understand safe practices within the healthcare environment.
- Describe legal and ethical standards in healthcare environments.
- Assist patients with physical and mental well-being.
Required Courses
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Frequently Asked Questions
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