Some people are really good at taking care of others and they could be the best candidates for certain positions in the healthcare industry.
One of these positions is that of patient care technician, and if you want to learn how to become one in Arkansas, read on!
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- Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in Arkansas
- Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in Arkansas
- Patient Care Technician Education in Arkansas
- Patient Care Technician Certification in Arkansas
- Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in Arkansas
- Additional Information for Patient Care Technician in Arkansas
Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in Arkansas
One of the first things to know about PCTs is that their occupation is very similar to that of a CNA.
However, patient care techs can perform their duties without supervision, unlike CNAs.
They don’t only take care of patients, but they also help the other medical staff in the facility.
Most of the duties of a PCT consist of:
- Bathing and feeding the patients
- Catheter care
- Maintaining patient rooms clean
- Vital sign monitoring
- Performing phlebotomy procedures
- Talking to the patients’ families
- Escorting patients to various places for further investigations
Based on where they work, additional job responsibilities may be assigned to patient care technicians.
Furthermore, these professionals must be recorded in the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry.
Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in Arkansas
Every job has an ideal candidate, and that of a PCT is no different.
This list will tell you whether you’re good for this occupation or not:
- Having a high school diploma or GED
- Having good communication skills
- Being detail-oriented
- Being compassionate
- Having a clean criminal background
- Being certified
- Having physical stamina
It’s common for employers to ask for additional attributes, so the list is not a definitive one.
Even the Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry has a set of prerequisites to accept individuals.
These include training and passing some exams.
Patient Care Technician Education in Arkansas
It’s important for PCTs to receive proper education or training since they’ll work without supervision.
This is also how these professionals will be able to pass the exams required by the NHA.
The schools listed below offer courses for those wanting to become patient care technicians.
Top 24 Schools in Arkansas
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Arkansas Northeastern College | 2501 S Division, Blytheville, Arkansas 72316-1109 |
| Arkansas State University | 2000 W. Broadway, West Memphis, Arkansas 72301-3829 |
| Arkansas State University | One College Circle, Malvern, Arkansas 72104-0816 |
| Arkansas State University | 1000 Iowa Street, Beebe, Arkansas 72012-1000 |
| Arkansas State University | 1600 South College Street, Mountain Home, Arkansas 72653 |
| Arkansas State University | 7648 Victory Blvd, Newport, Arkansas 72112 |
| Arkansas Tech University | 1509 N Boulder Ave, Russellville, Arkansas 72801-2222 |
| Black River Technical College | 1410 Hwy 304 East, Pocahontas, Arkansas 72455 |
| East Arkansas Community College | 1700 Newcastle Rd, Forrest City, Arkansas 72335-2204 |
| North Arkansas College | 1515 Pioneer Dr, Harrison, Arkansas 72601-5508 |
| NorthWest Arkansas Community College | One College Drive, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712-5091 |
| Ozarka College | 218 College Dr, Melbourne, Arkansas 72556-0010 |
| Petra Allied Health | P.O. Box 6611 Springdale, AR 72766-6611 |
| Petra Allied Health | 4300 Rogers Ave, Suite 42 Ft. Smith, AR 72903 |
| Phillips Community College | 1000 Campus Drive, Helena, Arkansas 72342-0785 |
| PRN Medical Services | 4500 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 |
| South Arkansas Community College | 300 S West Ave, El Dorado, Arkansas 71731-7010 |
| Southeast Arkansas College | 1900 S Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603 |
| Southern Arkansas University Tech | 6415 Spellman Road, Camden, Arkansas 71701-1906 |
| University of Arkansas | Highway 425 South, Monticello, Arkansas 71656 |
| University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain | 1100 College Dr, Mena, Arkansas 71953 |
| University of Arkansas Community College | 2005 White Drive, Batesville, Arkansas 72503-3350 |
| University of Arkansas | 2500 S Main, Hope, Arkansas 71801 |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College | 3000 W Scenic Dr, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72118-3347 |
The schools offer both certificates and diplomas at various degree levels.
If you seek certification, you’ll study for up to a year.
Those who seek a degree will have to spend at least 2 years studying.
All the offered courses also include clinical practice hours that require 100% attendance.
Upon enrolling, you’ll have to meet some prerequisites:
- Have a clean criminal record
- Passed a drug screening test
- Passed a TB skin test
- Have the following health immunizations done:
- MMR
- Varicella
- Hepatitis B
- Flu
- Tetanus
Future PCTs will attend classes such as the following:
- Providing patient safety
- Providing basic care
- Medical terminology and abbreviations
- Basic infection control procedures and techniques
- The structure and function of body systems
- Identifying and reporting changes in the patient’s condition
- Monitoring and recording bodily functions
- CPR
- First aide techniques
- Drawing blood
- Inserting catheters
Patient Care Technician Certification in Arkansas
The certification offered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA) is the best one to obtain for PCTs.
You need the following to sign up for the NHA exam:
- Be over the age of 18
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Graduate from a specialized training program
- Pay the exam fee – $149
- Show proof of citizenship or nationality
- Submit a set of fingerprints
It’s possible to replace the training program with 1 year of experience if it’s in the medical field.
Additionally, the exam fee can sometimes be included in the training course tuition.
The exam is proctored at the Prometric testing centers.
The exam is 1 hour and 50 minutes long and has 20 pre-test questions.
You’ll have to answer 100 questions for the exam itself.
Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in Arkansas
Patient care technicians work in an industry that has a shortage of personnel.
This means that getting hired will be relatively easy with the right qualifications.
These are the facilities in which most PCTs can be seen working:
- Hospitals,
- Clinics,
- Rehabilitation centers,
- Long term care and assisted living facilities,
- Hospices
- Home care
As a patient care tech in Arkansas, you’ll earn around $31,400 per year.
Salaries are higher in cities like Little Rock and Conway.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Patient Care Technicians in Arkansas
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | $31,555 |
| Fort Smith | $29,785 |
| Fayetteville | $31,030 |
| Springdale | $31,030 |
| Jonesboro | $31,360 |
| North Little Rock | $31,555 |
| Conway | $31,248 |
| Rogers | $30,846 |
| Bentonville | $30,784 |
| Pine Bluff | $30,518 |
Regional Salary in Arkansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 2,680 | $32,780 | $15.76 | $38,690 | $26,080 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 1,330 | $32,000 | $15.39 | $37,490 | $28,160 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 800 | $30,900 | $14.85 | $34,710 | $28,070 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 940 | $31,890 | $15.33 | $37,050 | $25,450 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 5,360 | $33,130 | $15.93 | $38,660 | $25,720 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 470 | $32,100 | $15.43 | $35,120 | $28,910 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Patient Care Technician in Arkansas
Here are some resources that could be of help in the future:
- Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry
- National Health Association
