What Is the Difference Between a Nursing Assistant and a Patient Care Technician?

With the creation of many different job titles in the healthcare industry, many are asking what the difference is between a nursing assistant and a patient care technician. Both positions perform direct patient care activities and assist in the maintenance of a safe and clean environment under the guidance of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

Nursing Assistants

• Nursing assistants work in collaboration with a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. They relieve the nursing staff of clerical functions in addition to performing patient care duties that involve taking vital signs, assisting patients with daily activities such as feeding, bathing and grooming. They provide education as well as maintain the patients' physical and emotional well being.

Patient Care Technicians

• Patient care technicians receive additional training that expands the traditional role of the nursing assistant, including an increase in supervised clinical hours, recording vital health information, collecting samples, EKG, phlebotomy and an introduction to physical therapy. Like the nursing assistant, responsibilities continue to include the role of helping patients in everyday tasks such as eating and bathing under the direction of registered nurses or licensed practical nurses and a doctor.

Salary

• The salary for nursing assistants and patient care technicians varies according to years of experience, the employer and the geographical location. Both classifications are entry-level health care positions with an average salary ranging between $10 and $15 per hour.

Training

• Both positions require a high school diploma, in addition to the completion of a training program from a community or career college. This program is typically four to 12 weeks long. A work internship is also required. The majority of work experience is obtained while on the job. Nursing assistants and patient care technicians work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics and rehabilitation centers.

Is there a difference?

• Although the patient care technician title is recognized as a new and emerging occupation by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is not yet a part of the standard occupational classification as is the nursing assistant. So close are the similarities that most schools are offering a Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician combined program.