How to Become a PCT in Alaska

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Not everyone is made to work with or around sick people, but there are many who like to help others.

If you always wanted to work in the healthcare industry, perhaps you could consider becoming a patient care technician in Alaska.

Read this guide to learn more about this occupation!

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Get information on Patient Care Technician programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in Alaska

Nurses, doctors, and other medical staff sometimes need extra help to look after patients.

Patient care technicians can offer this extra help.

PTAs need to be registered in the Alaska Nurse Aide Registry before they can start working.

These professionals have a very similar job as certified nurse assistants, but the former don’t usually need surveillance like the latter do.

Here are some of the main job duties of a PTA in Alaska, and not only:

  • 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

Additional responsibilities can be assigned to PTAs based on a case-by-case scenario.

Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in Alaska

The prerequisites to become a patient care technician can be seen below:

  • 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

One should know that the requirements can vary based on the employer.

Patient Care Technician Education in Alaska

As seen already, some of the duties will require specific training.

The schools that offer specialized training to future PTAs can be seen in the next table.

Top 3 Schools in Alaska

School NameAddress
Ilisagvik College100 Stevenson St, Utqiagvik, AK 99723
University of Alaska Fairbanks1731 South Chandalar Drive, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775
University of Alaska Southeast11066 Auke Lake Way, Juneau, Alaska 99801-8697

There are several diplomas that you can choose from when trying to decide on a school to enroll at.

Depending on the type of certification you want, the program will vary in length.

In any case, the shortest programs last for about 3 months and the longer ones about 2 years if not even more.

Upon enrolling, schools will usually look at the following:

  • Have a clean criminal record
  • Passed a drug screening test
  • Have the following health immunizations done:
    • TB Skin Test
    • MMR
    • Varicella
    • Hepatitis B
    • Flu
    • Tetanus

If you’re accepted, you’ll be studying:

  • 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

Students who want to become patient care techs need to attend the clinical rotation hours included in the program.

It’s imperative to attend all the clinical hours of the program.

Patient Care Technician Certification in Alaska

As mentioned already, you’ll want to become certified to work as a PTA.

The best exam to pass is the one organized by the National Healthcare Association (NHA).

When registering for the exam, NHA asks for the following:

  • Being over the age of 18
  • Having a high school diploma or GED
  • Graduated from a specialized training program

The training prerequisite can be replaced with 1 year of experience in the field.

The NHA exam consists of 20 pre-test questions as well as the 100 questions of the exam itself.

Candidates have a time limit of 1 hour and 50 minutes to answer.

Pearson Vue is the agency where the exam is organized at and its website even offers a candidate’s handbook to help you prepare for the test.

Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in Alaska

The healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing in the country.

It comes as no wonder that choosing to become a patient care technician sounds like a wise decision.

PTAs are needed the most in:

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

Your experience will usually have the greatest impact on how much you’ll earn as a PTA in Alaska.

Do know that average salaries in this state are usually higher than in other states and a breakdown by the city can be seen next.

Annual Salary Range:
$31K
$38K
$48K

Average Salary of Patient Care Technicians in Alaska

City NameSalary
Anchorage$37,924
Juneau$37,586
Fairbanks$37,767
Wasilla$37,412
Sitka$37,075
Ketchikan$37,075
Kenai$37,412
Palmer$37,412
Bethel$37,412
Kodiak$37,412
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Alaska

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Anchorage, AK1,030$42,630$20.5$51,180$37,000
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Nursing Assistants, OCC Code 31-1131, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Additional Information for Patient Care Technician in Alaska

You might need further help with finding a job, and these resources could be good to have on hand:

  • Patient Care Assistant Headquarters
  • National Healthcare Association
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