How to Become a PCT in North Carolina

There are many reasons why you would want to work in healthcare in North Carolina.

This state provides stable and safe employment and many opportunities.

If you are considering working as a PCT, check out the article below for more information.

Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in North Carolina

In North Carolina, you will perform most of your daily duties without supervision.

Before you can start working, you will have to develop some important skills.

Your work will entail aiding patients, their close ones, and personnel with various tasks.

Some job duties you will have as patient care tech include:

• 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

Some healthcare facilities require patient care techs to complete some additional tasks.

Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in North Carolina

The requirements for being a PCT in this state are as follows:

• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have good communication skills
• Be detail-oriented
• Be compassionate
• Have a clean criminal background
• Be certified
• Have physical stamina

Another requirement is to take and pass a certification exam.

In this state, you also need to appear in the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.

Patient Care Technician Education in North Carolina

The first step you have to take is enrolling in a school that provides PCT training programs.

In North Carolina, there are no schools offering training for future patient care technicians.

You’ll have to search for one in a different state.

If you are wondering how long will you need to study, PCT programs last for up to a year.

However, you can find shorter ones that last for only some months.

Another option is pursuing an Associates’ degree for increased job opportunities.

Such a program will last for about 2 years or longer.

In order to join a training program for patient care techs, you have to:

• 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

The program will consist of theory but also physical practice.

Some of the topics you will take include 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 North Carolina

You will need to fulfill some requirements before you can start applying to jobs.

First, you need to take the NHA exam, for which you have to:

• Are over the age of 18
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Graduate from a specialized training program
• Paid the exam fee – $149
• Show proof of citizenship or nationality
• Submit a set of fingerprints

If you did not complete a training program, you will also need at least 1 year of experience in the industry.

Usually, it is better to attend a program because the tuition will be covered.

You will get 2 hours to answer the 100 exam questions.

Additionally, you also have to answer 20 pre-test questions.

Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in North Carolina

In North Carolina, once you have a certification, you will be able to apply to jobs in facilities like:

• Hospitals,
• Clinics,
• Rehabilitation centers,
• Long term care and assisted living facilities,
• Hospices
• Home care

As a patient care tech in this state, you will earn an annual salary of around $32,578.

Of course, the salary will also vary according to the area where you live and your experience.

Regional Salary in North Carolina

Additional Information for Patient Care Technician in North Carolina

If you need to know more about this career path, you can check the following resources:

• North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry
• National Health Association