Working as a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) or a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) can allow you to help patients in a healthcare setting. Both roles may be an excellent fit for individuals passionate about caring for others. However, there are differences between them that are important to note. This blog post will explore their fundamental differences, training and certification requirements, and where to get training.

What is a Certified Patient Care Technician?

A CPCT is an essential healthcare team member responsible for ensuring patients receive quality care in various settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics.

Duties and Responsibilities

A CPCT's responsibilities are similar to CNAs but are more high-level and include predominantly clinical work. As a PCT, your responsibilities may include:

#  Monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen levels.

#  Carrying out medical procedures such as blood draws, EKGs, and catheterization.

#  Helping to manage patient records.

Training and Certification Requirements

To become a PCT, you will generally need a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training or through a certified program. Certification requirements vary by state, but some employers may require phlebotomy, EKG technician, and patient care technician certification.

What is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

A CCMA is a vital medical team member who performs various administrative and clinical tasks in a medical facility.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a CCMA, your duties and responsibilities may include:

#  Taking and recording vital signs

#  Performing diagnostic tests

#  Setting up and maintaining medical equipment

Comparison of CCMA and PCT roles

The main difference between a PCT and a CCMA lies mainly in the scope of their duties. While both PCTs and CCMAs work in a healthcare setting and provide vital support to care teams, PCTs can perform more hands-on care, such as helping patients with mobility and personal care. CCMAs, on the other hand, work closely with the clinical aspect of patient care, administrative duties, and diagnostic tests.

CPCT and CCMA duties may overlap depending on the job setting and employer. For example, the responsibilities of patient care technicians are quite similar to those of CNAs, but PCTs may have additional duties like conducting EKGs or performing phlebotomy procedures. If you’re interested in being a caregiver but want an NHA certification, then becoming a CPCT may be ideal.

CCMAs have a broad range of responsibilities and are highly versatile healthcare professionals who perform administrative work and provide clinical support. Therefore, outlining a "typical day" for a CMMA is difficult because the work is diverse and requires no repetition.

Start Your Fulfilling Career as a CPCT with HealthCareer Certs

At HealthCareer Certs, our courses help individuals develop the knowledge required for a successful career as a PCT. Whether you’re seeking training in patient care or certification requirements in phlebotomy and EKG technician programs, we provide the support and resources you need to obtain your PCT certification. Discover more information and enroll in our courses today to launch a fulfilling career in healthcare.