Online Patient Care Technician Program

Get Certified. Get Hired - Guaranteed.

  • Nationally Accredited
    Patient Care Technician Certification CPCT

    Upon successful completion of this Online Patient Care Technician course, students will take the National HealthCareer Association (NHA) certification exam to become nationally recognized Certified Patient Care Technicians - CPCT

  • Affordable and Convenient

    All-inclusive course content Includes:
    Unlimited 12-month access to instructional learning materials, Digital study materials , Patient simulations, Official CCMA practice exams, National certification exam , BLS training, Interest-free payment plans available

    No additional fees or costs are required after enrollment
  • Self-Paced On-demand Learning

    Module-based online course accessible 24/7 through mobile & tablet-friendly student portals.
    Self-Paced study - students have the flexibility to complete the course at their own pace .
    No due dates or fixed schedule on assignments.

    Instant course access

  • Expert Instructor Support

    Experienced instructors deliver engaging and interactive lessons.
    Personalized feedback and support provided to each student.
    Collaboration & peer interaction.

  • Simulation-Based Curriculum

    Interactive clinic skills simulations, Real-world patient case studies, Built-in self-checks, Progress tracking tools, 3D animated demonstrations, Interactive flashcards, Expert-led video lessons.

  • Optional Clinical Externship Placement

    Our optional clinical externship program provides you with invaluable hands-on experience in real healthcare settings.
    With our extensive network of healthcare providers across the country, you can choose a placement that suits your clinical interests.

  • Lifetime Career Services

    Lifetime access to our career development platform that offers job search assistance, resume and cover letter editing, personalized career counseling, virtual career development events, and exclusive access to our job board.

Best-In-Class Outcomes


Our learners consistently score above the national average on the CPCT certification exam.

Join our community of 4,000+ successful graduates and unlock exceptional outcomes. With an impressive 97% pass rate on the national certification exam and an unmatched 100% employment/externship placement rate, our program sets the gold standard for excellence.
Online Medical Assistant course student outcomes

Program Video

Course Packages & Pricing

Choose from the 3 course packages below


1. CPCT Course


What's Included

Price
✓ All-inclusive 12-month online access to course materials

✓ 12-month access to all learning material and the NHA study portal


✓ Instructor office hours & personalized support

✓ Clinic/ patient laboratory simulation platform

✓ BLS training via American Heart Association (AHA)

✓ 6 official practice exams

✓ National CPCT certification exam

✓ ACT's Advanced Clinical Training Certificate

✓Optional clinical externship placement

✓ Lifetime career services

✓ Access to our pre-health community, virtual events, shadowing opportunities, job board, and more

$3,300

Pay in full


2 Monthly Payments of $1,650

or

3 Monthly Payments of $1,100


2. CPCT Course + Venipuncture Injection Practice Kit


What's Included

Price
✓ All features listed above

✓Venipuncture & injection practice kit sent directly to your home

✓ Kit includes authentic medical equipment, a dummy arm, needles, syringes, lancets, requisition order, vials, patient prep supplies, etc.

✓ Practice 30+ step-by-step practical procedures

✓ Practice performing venipuncture and injections hands-on as you work through virtual clinic simulations

$3,500

Pay in full


2 Monthly Payments of $1,750

or

3 Monthly Payments of $1,166


3. CPCT Course + Customized Mentorship Program with MD or PA Advisor


What's Included

Price
✓ All features listed above

Free injection practice kit sent to your home

✓ Advanced Medical Terminology Certificate Course (free)

✓ Structured, personalized mentorship plan & advising roadmap with step-by-step guidance from MD or PA advisor

✓ Three one-on-one mentorship sessions with MD or PA advisor via Zoom or Google Meets

✓ 12-month unlimited access to the mentorship portal with a wealth of resources, webinars, and volunteer/research opportunities consistently updated by our MD / PA advisors

✓ Review of personal statement and resume/CV with detailed guidance and feedback

✓ Mock Interview Preparation

✓ Strategic Application, MCAT / GRE,  and Timeline Planning

✓ Rejection Analysis and Feedback

✓ Research, volunteer, and clinical experience advising

✓ Letter of reference from MD or PA advisor

$4,500

Pay in full


2 Monthly Payments of $2,250

All-inclusive tuition Includes 12-month full access to all digital learning dashboards, textbooks, clinic simulation, practice exams, and the patient care technician (CPCT) national certification exam. No additional costs are required after enrollment.

Pay in Full or Enroll in an Interest-Free Payment Plan


First payment due at sign up. Subsequent payments due monthly.

Access to course is available immediately after enrollment.

Key Course Components


This fully online certified patient care technician course is an 8-week, self-paced program ideal for health science students seeking patient care experience in hospitals, nursing homes, and intensive care units prior to nursing, physician assistant (PA), or medical school.

A CPCT certification can help boost your PA, medical, or nursing school application as it highlights your clinical competency in diagnostic and treatment procedures, direct patient care skills, and complex medical decision-making capabilities, to name a few.

  • Course instructed by experienced nurse educator, BSN, MSN.

  • Overview videos before each module.

  • Instructional lesson content written to align with the exam for the AMCA certification exam blueprint.

  • Practice questions and interactive games covering all basic and necessary job skills.

  • Quizzes for each module to assess topic comprehension. Assessment contains rationales explaining correct and incorrect answers.

  • Audio narration for each page and video. Because each individual learns differently, we provide optional audio support of all content for improved comprehension.

  • Case study videos and professionalism tips from experts in the field for real-life application fo skills.

  • Practice by doing with clinic simulations.

Curriculum Overview

The patient care technician (CPCT) curriculum covers anatomy & physiology, principles of human diseases, advanced patient care skills, , diagnostic methods, medical emergencies, BLS training, and more!

  • Includes 20 modules of right-sized content interwoven with interactivity and instant performance feedback.

  • Modules include detailed lectures and notes, expert-led video presentations, interactive activities, real-world clinical cases, patient skills simulations, classmate interactions, continuous feedback and support from instructors.


Senior Course Instructor

Leah Medwig MSN, RN, CCM

Our expert instructor provides continuous support and detailed feedback throughout the course. She promotes student interaction and fosters an engaging community of growth and learning.
Leah Medwig, Online Patient Care Technician Course Lead Course InstructorT

Course Syllabus


Includes 20 modules of right-sized content interwoven with interactivity and instant performance feedback.

Module 1

Anatomy and Physiology

Lesson: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Lesson: Integumentary System
Lesson: Skeletal System
Lesson: Muscular System
Lesson: Nervous System
Lesson: Endocrine System
Lesson: Cardiovascular System
Lesson: Lymphatic System
Lesson: Digestive System
Lesson: Urinary System
Lesson: Reproductive System
Lesson: Sensory System

Module 2


Diseases and DIsorders



Lesson: Introduction to Diseases and Disorders
Lesson: Multiple Sclerosis
Lesson: Parkinson's Disease
Lesson: Diabetes
Lesson: Asthma

Module 3


Medical Terminology


Lesson: Word Parts & Word Root
Lesson: Suffixes and Prefix
Lesson: Abbreviations
Lesson: Anatomical References

Module 4


Infection Control
Lesson: Basic Communication & Skills
Lesson: Interpersonal Communication
Lesson: Communication Barriers
Lesson: Communication Technology
Lesson: Documentation
Lesson: Cultural, Social, and Ethnic Diversity  
Module 5

Legal and Ethical Responsibilities
Lesson: Privacy and Security
Lesson: Introduction to HIPAA Lesson:
Reducing Liability
Lesson: Ethics
Lesson: Ethical Dilemmas
Lesson: Workplace Law

Module 6


Communications
Lesson: Basic Communication
Lesson: Interpersonal Communication
Lesson: Communication Barriers
Lesson: Communicating with Patient
Lesson: Documentation
Lesson: Communicative Technology

Module 7


Clinical Pharmacology
Lesson: Healthcare Settings
Lesson: Health Assisting and Qualities of a PCT
Lesson: The Nursing Model
Lesson: Patient Rights & Code of Ethics

Module 8

The Health Assistant
Patient Care Technician


Lesson: Health Assisting
Lesson: Qualities of a Health Assistant & PCT
Lesson: Nursing Model
Lesson: Patient Rights
Module 9

Body Mechanics
Lesson: Moving Patients
Lesson: Positioning Patients
Lesson: Transferring Patients
Lesson: Bed Ulcers, Prevention, and Treatment
Lesson: Skin Assessment
Module 10

Patient Comfort
Lesson: Observing Patients
Lesson: Handling Bed Linens
Lesson: Making Beds
Lesson: Perineal Care
Lesson: Hand and Foot Care
Lesson: Hair Care
Lesson: Oral Care
Lesson: Dressing and Undressing
Lesson: Bathing
Lesson: Eyeglasses and Hearing Aids
Lesson: AM and PM Care and Pain Management
Module 11

The Surgical Patient
Lesson: Surgery
Lesson: Preoperative Care
Lesson: Post-operative Care
Lesson: Compressive Garments & Breathing Exercise
Module 12

Rehabilitation and Restorative Care

Lesson: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Lesson: Assistive Devices for Ambulation
Lesson: Range of Motion Exercises
Lesson: Heat and Cold Applications
Lesson: Breathing Exercises


Module 13

Special Populations
Lesson: Pediatric Patients
Lesson: Geriatric Patients
Lesson: Dealing with Death
Lesson: Cognitively-Impaired Patients
Lesson: Physically & Developmentally Impaired Patients
Lesson: Restraints
Lesson: Airway Management
Lesson: Oxygen Therapy
Lesson: Ostomy Care
Lesson: Critically Ill Patient Care
Module 14

Admissions, Transfers, and Discharges
Lesson: Patient Concerns
Lesson: Admissions
Lesson: Transfers and Discharges

Module 15


Nutrition & Elimination
Lesson: Optimal Nutrition
Lesson: Diets
Lesson: Feeding Patients
Lesson: Intake and Output
Lesson: Assisting with Toileting
Lesson: Urinary Catheters
Lesson: Special Bowel Elimination Procedures
Module 16

Specimen Collection and Testing
Phlebotomy/ Venipuncture
Lesson: Basics of Blood
Lesson: Blood Specimen Collection & Processing
Lesson: Venipuncture
Lesson: Introduction to Vaccinations & Injections
Lesson: Intramuscular Injections
Lesson: Subcutaneous Injections

Module 17


Electrocardiography
Cardiovascular / Stress Testing
Lesson: EKG & Cardiovascular Testing
Lesson: Safety, Compliance, Coordinated Patient Care
Lesson: EKG Acquisition
Lesson: Conducting EKG Testing
Lesson: EKG Analysis & Interpretation
Module 18

BLS Training via
American Heart Association (AHA)
Lesson: Adult BLS
Lesson: AED for Adults & Children 8 Years of Age & Older
Lesson: Child BLS
Lesson: Infant BLS
Lesson: AED for Infants & Children
Lesson: Special Considerations
Lesson: Relief of Choking
Module 19

Medical Emergency
Emergency Care
Lesson: Cardiac and Respiratory Emergencies
Lesson: Abdominal, Genitourinary, Gynecological
Lesson: Altered Mental Status
Lesson: Behavioral Emergencies
Lesson: Allergic Reactions and Poisonings
Module 20

Review
EHR Simulation
Module Review
Practice Exams
EHR Simulation Training

CPCT Certification Exam


CPCT National Certification Exam


Upon completing all course modules, students will sit for the nationally NCCA-accredited certification exam at a PSI testing center or proctored online.

  • The test is comprised of 144 questions with allotted time of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

  • Exam covers concepts in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, medical law and ethics, safety/infection control, and patient/wound care skills.

  • ACT covers the cost of the CPCT certification exam (first attempt).

Student Testemonials

5 star rating

Go to course for pre-health students interested in hospit...

Mellisa Mauldin

This course covered a lot of useful information that was helpful in learning about the PCT field. I enjoyed the variety of learning formats, videos, written,...

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This course covered a lot of useful information that was helpful in learning about the PCT field. I enjoyed the variety of learning formats, videos, written, reading, interactive, etc. I feel prepared for the exam with a strong foundation of patient care in hospital settings.

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5 star rating

Excellent certification course! Highly Recommend!

Taylor Jenkins

The Advanced eClinical CPCT course is amazing! I love how the course is manageable to complete in 8 weeks and allows you to virtually make connections with s...

Read More

The Advanced eClinical CPCT course is amazing! I love how the course is manageable to complete in 8 weeks and allows you to virtually make connections with staff members and professors of healthcare. I learned so much throughout the course and am looking forward to my career as a CPCT!

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5 star rating

Great class for Pre-PA/ Pre-Med students!

Janielle Javier

As a Pre-PA student, I was worried about how I would obtain clinical hours before graduating and entering a PA program. This course provided a shortened but ...

Read More

As a Pre-PA student, I was worried about how I would obtain clinical hours before graduating and entering a PA program. This course provided a shortened but thorough class to become a PCT. I feel I have learned a lot clinically and beyond, so I am excited to find work!

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5 star rating

Easy, affordable, and fun!

Cynthia Avalos Rodriguez

Looking for a course to help with clinical experience this is the course!!

Looking for a course to help with clinical experience this is the course!!

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5 star rating

Loved the program!

Paris Rodgers

This is a great self-paced program for anybody who works or is a student full-time because you are able to complete this as quickly or as slowly as you want....

Read More

This is a great self-paced program for anybody who works or is a student full-time because you are able to complete this as quickly or as slowly as you want. Great price and I loved the clinical simulations and interactive assignments included in the program.

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5 star rating

Outstanding learning experience!

Devin Scofield

This was a very well-put-together certification course. I'm so excited to use the skills I learned and apply them in a patient care tech role!

This was a very well-put-together certification course. I'm so excited to use the skills I learned and apply them in a patient care tech role!

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5 star rating

Definitely take the course.

Enesa Hasani

I am so happy I've found this course, not only is it affordable, but also allows me to keep my full-time job and go to college full-time. It is interactive a...

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I am so happy I've found this course, not only is it affordable, but also allows me to keep my full-time job and go to college full-time. It is interactive and the instructor is awesome. ACT staff is always there to help with any questions you have. Thank you!!

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5 star rating

CPCT - Amazing Course!

Edith Ramirez

I loved the entire CPCT course!! There were clear instructions on all of the assignments and the videos/ simulations helped me retain the material. The discu...

Read More

I loved the entire CPCT course!! There were clear instructions on all of the assignments and the videos/ simulations helped me retain the material. The discussions were extremely helpful in applying what I learned in the modules to real-life scenarios. The modules were straightforward and very interactive. My instructor was always available to help with anything I needed and provided one-on-one tutoring during her office hours. All of the learning materials and support really prepared me for the certification exam as well as the practice exams with personalized focused reviews were beyond helpful! I give the overall course a five-star rating! It was a great learning experience, highly recommend it!!

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5 star rating

CPCT - Amazing Course!

Edith Ramirez

I loved the entire CPCT course!! There were clear instructions on all of the assignments and the videos/ simulations helped me retain the material. The discu...

Read More

I loved the entire CPCT course!! There were clear instructions on all of the assignments and the videos/ simulations helped me retain the material. The discussions were extremely helpful in applying what I learned in the modules to real-life scenarios. The modules were straightforward and very interactive. My instructor was always available to help with anything I needed and provided one-on-one tutoring during her office hours. All of the learning materials and support really prepared me for the certification exam as well as the practice exams with personalized focused reviews were beyond helpful! I give the overall course a five-star rating! It was a great learning experience, highly recommend it!!

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5 star rating

CPCT Course: Phenomenal experience!

Madison King

This course was amazing. I was able to get it done on my own time, and pre-med prerequisites went right along with the course. I would recommend it to any st...

Read More

This course was amazing. I was able to get it done on my own time, and pre-med prerequisites went right along with the course. I would recommend it to any student or future CPCT.

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