The Patient Care Technician works under the supervision of nursing or medical staff to
provide basic patient care in a variety of settings, including clinics, hospitals, urgent care
medical facilities, wound care centers, nursing homes, home care agencies or long-term
care facilities, and physician’s offices. Routine tasks include responding to patient calls
and requests for assistance; bathing and dressing patients; assisting with personal
hygiene; serving meals; and monitoring/recording vital signs. PCTs observe, record and
report temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration rates, and a patient’s physical,
mental, and emotional condition. A PCT must be able to perform electrocardiograms
(EKGs), collect blood samples (phlebotomy), and perform other clinical duties.
