Make a Difference as a Patient Care Technician
Prepare for a rewarding career in health care with the patient care technician (PCT) short-term career training program at St. Louis Community College. This comprehensive training program combines classroom instruction, hands-on skill labs and clinical practice. Upon completion, you'll be equipped to provide essential patient care, assist with daily activities and support health care teams as a nursing assistant in hospital settings.
What is the Patient Care Technician Program at St. Louis Community College?
Earn as you learn with the PCT short-term career training. This full-time program combines face-to-face lectures, hands-on skill labs and online coursework with paid clinical training at a partnering hospital.
The PCT program is a short-term career training followed by clinical practice. The curriculum combines face-to-face lectures, hands-on skill labs and independent online activities. The labs feature the Basic Life Support course for health care providers through the American Heart Association.
By completing this program, you'll learn the skills to collaborate with nurses, physicians and other health care professionals to deliver quality care. You'll be equipped to perform a variety of essential tasks, including:
- Ensuring patients' comfort, hygiene and dietary needs are met.
- Monitoring and recording temperatures and vital signs.
- Maintaining cleanliness in patient rooms and beds.
- Assisting patients with mobility.
- Promptly reporting any changes in patients' conditions or behaviors to the attending nurses or physicians.
This training program satisfies the requirement of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) in Missouri hospitals. Graduates are eligible to challenge the certified nursing assistant (CNA) exam when working as a UAP.
What Can You Do as a Patient Care Technician?
After completing this program, you'll work full-time with the sponsoring employer partner for one to two years as a patient care technician. As a PCT, you will work three 12-hour shifts weekly, including weekends and holidays. Many PCTs work overnight.
In addition to clinical duties, you'll also provide emotional support and comfort to patients and their families, making a significant impact on their well-being during their health care journey. Your compassionate care and technical skills will help improve patient outcomes and contribute to a positive experience. By choosing a career as a PCT, you'll be on the front lines of patient care, making a meaningful difference every day.
Patient Care Technician Short-Term Career Training
- Locations: Florissant Valley, Forest Park, William J. Harrison Center
- Upcoming Classes: fall 2025. Sign up to get an alert when the next application opens.
- Class schedule: 9-11 week training
- Classroom instruction: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for 5-7 weeks
- Clinical practice: 12-hour shifts between 6:45 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. at a partnering hospital for 4 weeks. May involve weekends. - Format: Hybrid
- Student cost: Funding is available for individuals selected for the program. Funding may require a one to two year employment commitment to the clinical partner.
- Employer partners: BJC HealthCare, SSM Health
- Award: Certificate of Completion
- Industry credentials: Basic Life Support Provider
- Contact information: acceleratedjobtraining@stlcc.edu | 314-984-7777
How to Apply
This earn-as-you-learn program is delivered in collaboration with BJC HealthCare or SSM Health. You must apply directly with the employer partner and meet the eligibility requirements to be considered.
To get started:
- Sign up to get an email alert when the next application opens (new applications open every 2-3 months).
- Look for an email from our employer partner who will provide a link to apply with BJC HealthCare or SSM Health during an open application period.
- Qualified applicants will complete a screening interview with the employer partner.
- Updates are provided via email or phone, or sign into the employer’s career portal to check your application status.
- If selected to move forward, the employer partner will provide instructions to complete remaining eligibility steps.
All selection notifications will come directly from the employer partner. Sign up to get an email alert when the next application opens (new applications open every 2-3 months).
Admission Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
This program combines training and employment. Enrollment is selective. You must apply directly with the employer partner and meet all eligibility requirements to be considered.
Before you apply you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Meet the transfer eligibility requirements if currently employed with the employer partner.
After you apply you will be required to:
- Demonstrate academic and career readiness.
- Complete a screening interview with the employer partner.
- Complete the STLCC training application.
- Complete a full interview and be selected by the employer partner.
- Pass a criminal background check, drug screen panel and physical exam with proof of immunizations or titers.
Technology Requirements
This is a hybrid training program. To participate, you will need:
- A computer with an external keyboard.
- Reliable internet access.
- The ability to operate a computer and work with files.
- The ability to navigate the internet and use online applications.
A limited number of devices are available for check-out and free internet is available to students while on STLCC’s campus.
Class Schedule
Upcoming Classes
fall 2025 | You can sign up to receive an email alert when future classes are available.
Training Schedule
The PCT program is 9-11 weeks in length. Students should be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Clinical practice hours will include 12-hour shifts at a partnering hospital location. Please see below for more details.
- Classroom Instruction (5-7 weeks): Mondays through Fridays. Classroom instruction is from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at an STLCC campus followed by three hours of online coursework. Skill labs are one to two days weekly from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at an STLCC campus.
- Clinical Practice (3-4 weeks): Three 12-hour shifts weekly at a clinical partner location as assigned. May involve weekends.
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Why You Should Choose STLCC's Patient Care Technician Program
Gain Real-World Clinical Experience
Immerse yourself in hands-on clinical settings to enhance your skills and confidence. Our program includes clinical placements in partnering hospitals and health facilities, giving you the practical experience needed to excel in real-world health care environments.
Short-Term Training
STLCC’s short-term training programs are designed to quickly equip students with the skills needed for immediate employment. These programs focus on practical, hands-on learning to ensure students are job-ready upon completion.
Meet State Requirements with Confidence
The PCT training program fully satisfies the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' requirements for Unlicensed Assistive Personnel. By completing this program, you ensure compliance with state regulations, positioning yourself as a qualified and trusted professional in the health care field.
Gain Entry to a Successful Health Care Career
"STLCC provided me with the education and training needed for my job. This program was a wonderful opportunity for me, and I’m so glad I utilized it. I’ve been so happy in my role and with BJC HealthCare." - David Frank, PCT program graduate