Patient Care Technician Jobs in Atlanta, GA: A Local Guide to Getting Hired

If you’re looking for patient care technician jobs in Atlanta, GA, you’re entering a field with steady demand, diverse work settings, and clear paths for career growth. Atlanta’s large network of hospitals, clinics, and specialty centers makes it one of the Southeast’s major hubs for healthcare employment.

This guide walks through what patient care technicians do, how the role typically works in Atlanta, where jobs are commonly found, training and certification options nearby, and practical steps to land your first (or next) position.

What a Patient Care Technician Does in Atlanta

A Patient Care Technician (PCT) in Atlanta usually works under the supervision of registered nurses and other licensed professionals. Responsibilities can vary a bit by facility, but often include:

• Taking vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations)
• Assisting patients with daily activities (bathing, dressing, toileting)
• Helping with mobility and transfers (wheelchairs, walkers, stretchers)
• Collecting specimens (urine, sometimes blood depending on training)
• Assisting with patient transport within the facility
• Monitoring and reporting changes in a patient’s condition
• Helping keep patient rooms clean, safe, and stocked

In larger Atlanta hospitals, PCTs may be assigned to:

• Medical-surgical floors
• Emergency departments
• Intensive care units (ICU)
• Rehabilitation units
• Telemetry or step-down units

In outpatient settings around the metro area, you may see similar roles labeled as patient care tech, nursing assistant, clinical tech, or care associate.

Common Work Settings for PCTs in Atlanta

Atlanta’s healthcare landscape includes major hospital systems, teaching hospitals, community hospitals, and long-term care facilities. PCTs are commonly employed in:

1. Major Hospital Systems

Across the Atlanta metro area, you’ll find PCT roles at:

• Grady Memorial Hospital (Downtown Atlanta)
  80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Large safety-net and trauma center; often hires PCTs for busy inpatient and emergency units.

• Emory Healthcare hospitals (e.g., Emory University Hospital, Emory Midtown)
  Multiple locations across Atlanta; academic medical centers with a wide range of specialty units.

• Piedmont Atlanta Hospital
  1968 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
  A major private hospital with medical-surgical, cardiac, and oncology floors that utilize PCTs.

• Northside Hospital Atlanta
  1000 Johnson Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
  Known for women’s services and surgery; frequently employs PCTs in inpatient units.

These facilities often post jobs on their own career portals, sometimes listing roles under titles like “Patient Care Tech,” “Nurse Tech,” “Care Partner,” or “Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).”

2. Community and Specialty Hospitals

Smaller and community-focused facilities in and around Atlanta can be good entry points:

• Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center South (East Point area) and other Wellstar facilities in the metro region
• Rehabilitation hospitals and specialty centers (cardiac, orthopedic, long-term acute care)

These settings may offer slightly smaller units, which some new PCTs find easier to adjust to than large downtown hospitals.

3. Long-Term Care & Rehab Facilities

Many nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and inpatient rehab centers in the Atlanta area hire PCTs or CNAs for:

• Long-term residential care
• Short-term rehab after hospital stays
• Memory care units

These roles can provide consistent, hands-on experience and often offer flexible shifts.

4. Dialysis and Outpatient Centers

Some dialysis clinics and specialty outpatient centers use PCTs to:

• Assist with dialysis treatments
• Prepare and clean equipment (under supervision)
• Monitor patient comfort during procedures

Job titles may include Dialysis Patient Care Technician or Clinical Tech.

Typical Requirements for PCT Jobs in Atlanta

While each employer sets its own standards, patient care technician jobs in Atlanta usually require:

Education

• High school diploma or GED is almost always required.
• A Patient Care Technician training program or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course is often preferred or required.

Some hospitals will hire nursing students as PCTs once they’ve completed a certain number of clinical hours.

Certification

Common expectations in the Atlanta area:

• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant):
  Many facilities accept CNAs for PCT roles. To become a CNA in Georgia, you typically must:

  • Complete a state-approved nurse aide training program
  • Pass the Georgia Nurse Aide Competency Exam
  • Be listed on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry

• PCT-specific certifications (optional but helpful):
  Some candidates earn additional credentials (such as phlebotomy or EKG certifications) that make them more competitive, especially in hospital settings.

Skills Employers Look For

Atlanta healthcare employers commonly look for:

• Strong communication skills
• Comfort with hands-on patient care
• Ability to work nights, weekends, or rotating shifts
• Teamwork in fast-paced environments
• Basic computer skills for charting and electronic health records

Local Training Options: Becoming a PCT in Atlanta

If you’re just starting out, you’ll likely begin with CNA or PCT training from a local school. Program offerings and names can change, so always confirm details directly with the school, but here are common types of options you’ll find in the Atlanta area:

Community & Technical Colleges

Many technical colleges around metro Atlanta offer:

• Nurse Aide (CNA) programs
• Occasionally, Patient Care Technician certificates that bundle CNA with phlebotomy/EKG

These programs are designed to prepare you for:

• The Georgia Nurse Aide exam
• Entry-level hospital or long-term care roles

Examples of institutions in or near the Atlanta area include technical colleges under the Technical College System of Georgia umbrella and community colleges that serve Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and surrounding counties.

Private Allied Health Schools

You’ll also find private career schools in the city that offer:

• PCT programs (often 3–6 months)
• CNA, phlebotomy, and EKG technician programs

When comparing programs in Atlanta:

• ✅ Confirm the program meets Georgia state requirements if your goal is CNA certification.
• ✅ Ask if the school offers clinical rotations in local Atlanta facilities.
• ✅ Check whether they provide help with exam registration and job search support.

Checking Your CNA Status in Georgia

If you’re already a CNA from another state or need to verify your listing, you can contact or check with the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry, which is overseen through state-contracted administrators. The Georgia Department of Community Health in Atlanta can point you to current registry information:

• Georgia Department of Community Health
  2 Peachtree St NW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main Phone: (404) 656-4507

How to Find Patient Care Technician Jobs in Atlanta

Once you have the necessary training or certification, use Atlanta-focused strategies to find openings.

1. Go Directly to Hospital Career Pages

Most large hospital systems around Atlanta post PCT and CNA roles on their own websites. Search using terms like:

• “Patient Care Technician”
• “Patient Care Tech”
• “CNA”
• “Clinical Tech”
• “Care Partner” or “Care Assistant”

Hiring is often ongoing, especially for busy floors and night/weekend shifts.

2. Use Local Job Boards & Filters

On general job platforms, use filters such as:

• Location: Atlanta, GA (and nearby cities like Decatur, Marietta, Sandy Springs, East Point)
• Job type: Full-time, Part-time, PRN (as needed)
• Shift: Day, evening, night, weekend

Include related terms in your search like “nurse aide” or “nursing assistant” to catch all relevant listings.

3. Visit Career & Job Centers in Atlanta

Job centers can help you with resumes, interview prep, and job leads in healthcare. One central resource is:

• Georgia Department of Labor – Atlanta Career Center
  223 Courtland St NE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 232-4700

These centers often know which local employers are hiring entry-level healthcare workers and may connect you with training or apprenticeship programs.

4. Network with Local Healthcare Workers

In Atlanta, networking can be particularly helpful:

• Talk with instructors from your training program
• Connect with current PCTs or CNAs at clinical sites
• Ask about internal job postings and referrals

Hospitals often have internal applicant systems where current employees can refer you for open PCT roles.

Sample PCT Job Path in Atlanta: What It Can Look Like

Here’s a simplified look at how someone in Atlanta might move into and grow within a patient care technician career.

Many people in Atlanta healthcare use PCT positions as a stepping stone to nursing or other allied health careers while working and earning income.

Pay, Shifts, and Work Conditions in Atlanta

Specific pay rates change over time and vary by employer, but in Atlanta:

• Hospitals often offer differential pay for nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Larger hospital systems may provide benefits (health insurance, retirement plans) even for some part-time positions.
• Schedules can include:
  • 12-hour shifts (commonly 7 a.m.–7 p.m. or 7 p.m.–7 a.m.)
  • 8-hour shifts in some units or facilities
  • PRN (as-needed) roles for flexible coverage

Because Atlanta has both large hospital systems and smaller facilities, you can often find a setting and schedule that fits your needs, though new hires are frequently asked to start with less desirable shifts (nights, weekends) as they gain experience.

Tips for Standing Out as a PCT Candidate in Atlanta

A few practical ways to strengthen your applications locally:

• ✅ Highlight any healthcare exposure
  Volunteer work in Atlanta hospitals or clinics, caregiving for family, or previous roles in home care can be valuable.

• ✅ Mention bilingual skills
  In some Atlanta neighborhoods, speaking Spanish or other languages can be a plus when working with diverse patient populations.

• ✅ Emphasize reliability
  Atlanta employers pay close attention to attendance and punctuality, especially with traffic and commuting challenges across the metro area.

• ✅ Show flexibility on shifts and locations
  Being open to starting in long-term care or in a less central neighborhood can help you get in the door and build experience.

Commuting and Location Considerations in Atlanta

When applying for PCT jobs in Atlanta, think carefully about transportation:

• Rush-hour traffic on interstates like I-75, I-85, and I-285 can be heavy.
• Many hospitals are near MARTA rail or bus routes, which can be convenient if you don’t drive.
• Check whether:
  • The facility has employee parking
  • Your shift aligns with public transit schedules

Ensuring you can reliably get to early morning or late-night shifts is a major factor employers consider, and it can help you maintain a strong attendance record.

When You’re Ready to Start

If you’re pursuing patient care technician jobs in Atlanta, GA, a practical order of steps is:

1. Confirm you meet basic requirements (diploma/GED, physical ability, background checks).
2. Complete a CNA or PCT training program in or near Atlanta.
3. Get listed on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry if you’re going the CNA route.
4. Prepare a clear resume focused on caregiving skills, reliability, and any healthcare-related experience.
5. Apply broadly to Atlanta hospitals, rehab centers, and long-term care facilities, being flexible on shifts and units.
6. Use local resources like the Atlanta Career Center (Georgia Department of Labor) for job search support.

With Atlanta’s concentration of healthcare employers and training options, motivated candidates can usually find a path into patient care work and build a long-term career in the city’s medical community.