About This Program
The 12-week PCT program is RIEC's most comprehensive Allied Health credential. It stacks three nationally recognized certifications — RI CNA License, NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), and NHA Certified EKG Technician (CET) — into a single accelerated pathway, making graduates highly competitive for emergency room and ICU positions across Rhode Island. Students master advanced patient care, venipuncture, and 12-lead cardiac monitoring before completing a multi-site clinical rotation. Tuition is 100% covered by workforce development grants for eligible Rhode Island residents.
What You'll Learn
- Advanced CNA skills: complex wound dressing assist, urinary catheter insertion, ostomy management, and sterile technique
- Venipuncture: vacutainer, butterfly (winged infusion set), and syringe draw techniques across all patient populations including pediatric and geriatric
- Capillary puncture: adult fingerstick technique for glucometry and point-of-care testing
- 12-lead EKG acquisition: anatomically correct electrode placement on all standard limb (I, II, III, aVR, aVL, aVF) and precordial (V1–V6) positions
- Cardiac rhythm recognition: normal sinus rhythm, common arrhythmias (AFib, PVCs, blocks), ST-segment changes, and artifact identification
- Point-of-care testing: glucometry, urine dipstick analysis, and rapid antigen test administration
- Emergency department patient flow: rapid assessment concepts, fall prevention, patient transport, and triage support protocols
- EHR documentation and HIPAA-compliant verbal and written communication with nursing and physician staff
Program Outcomes
- Credential 1: Rhode Island State CNA License — issued by RIDOH upon passing the state competency exam
- Credential 2: NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) — National Healthcareer Association
- Credential 3: NHA Certified EKG Technician (CET) — National Healthcareer Association
- Eligible employers: hospital emergency departments, intensive care units, cardiac monitoring units, med-surg floors, and procedural areas
- Estimated RI starting wage: $20–$28/hr — triple-certified PCT graduates command a significant premium over single-credential CNAs in RI hospital hiring