Patient Care Aide Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Patient Care Aide

Best Schools to become a Patient Care Aide in U.S. 2024

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

In-State Tuition:$4,487
Out-of-State Tuition:$8,777
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:31%
Total Enrollment:89,705

Gateway Technical College

Kenosha, WI

In-State Tuition:$4,304
Out-of-State Tuition:$6,455
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:45%
Total Enrollment:9,881

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, IL

In-State Tuition:$7,776
Out-of-State Tuition:$9,096
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:34%
Total Enrollment:10,511

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, IL

In-State Tuition:$9,372
Out-of-State Tuition:$11,184
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:44%
Total Enrollment:12,434

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, IL

In-State Tuition:$9,316
Out-of-State Tuition:$11,336
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:32%
Total Enrollment:7,044

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, WI

In-State Tuition:$4,304
Out-of-State Tuition:$6,455
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:47%
Total Enrollment:7,268
Patient Care Aide Job Description:
  • Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations.
  • These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Patient Care Aide

Job Duties for Patient Care Aides

  • Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment.

  • Instruct, motivate, safeguard, or assist patients practicing exercises or functional activities, under direction of medical staff.

  • Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.

Technologies and Skills Used by Patient Care Aides

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft Outlook

Medical software

  • Epic Systems
  • MEDITECH software

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Social

  • Changing what is done based on other people's actions
  • Looking for ways to help people

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Patient Care Aide

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Patient Care Aide

FAQs About Becoming a Patient Care Aide