How to Become a PCT in Rhode Island

If you want to start your career in a new industry, the medical field can be a good choice.

Have a look at the job requirements for patient care technicians (PCTs) in Rhode Island.

Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in Rhode Island

There are some job duties that PCTs need to complete every day.

For instance, the main job duty you will have is helping patients of the clinic, but also their families.

You might also need to assist the clinic’s staff with several different tasks.

Some clinics will also you to take on additional duties.

Usually, you will have to complete the following:

• 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

As you will perform most of the duties alone, you also have to increase your skills.

Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in Rhode Island

To become a PCT in this state, you need to:

• 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

There is also a licensing test exam you need to pass.

In Rhode Island, you have to be listed on the Rhode Island Nurse Aide Registry.

Patient Care Technician Education in Rhode Island

First, you should enroll in a facility providing PCT training programs.

In this state, it is simple to find a facility that offers PCT courses.

These institutions in Rhode Island can be seen below.

A PCT training program in Rhode Island usually lasts for several months.

You can also locate training programs with a duration of a year or even 2 or 3 years.

This is mostly the case for Associate’s degree programs.

These programs will give you better credentials which will count towards your work experience.

If you want to join a program, 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 classes you will take include theory, but also physical practice.

The subjects you will attend during training include:

• 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 Rhode Island

The first step in receiving a PCT certification is to take the NHA exam.

This exam has the following requirements:

• 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

It is required to have a year of experience if you didn’t enroll in a school.

Most often than not, the facility will cover your tuition costs.

If you are wondering, you should know that the test lasts for about 2 hours.

There are 100 questions you will have to answer.

Furthermore, there will be 20 pre-test questions you need to take.

Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in Rhode Island

In this state, after having your certification issued, you can start looking for a job.

Some of the facilities looking to hire freshly certified PCTs are:

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

In Rhode Island, the average salary for this job is $35,993 a year.

Regional Salary in Rhode Island

Additional Information for Patient Care Technicians in Rhode Island

If you need more career resources, you can check out:

• Rhode Island Nurse Aide Registry
• National Health Association