How to Become a PCT in Arkansas

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!

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.

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.

Regional Salary in Arkansas

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