How to Become a PCT in Illinois

Most healthcare facilities rely on PCTs, or patient care technicians, to offer the best possible care to the sick and not only.

Read this guide if you’re interested in becoming a patient care tech in Illinois!

Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in Illinois

PCTs have very similar job duties as home health nurses.

As expected, there are some differences as well, and for these two occupations, the main difference is the possibility of working unsupervised.

Those who work as patient care techs have this option.

The main duties a PCT has to complete can be seen below:

• 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

Depending on the situation, a patient care tech may receive additional tasks.

Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in Illinois

Remember that not everyone will be hired to work as a PCT.

These are the requirements the ideal candidates have to meet:

• Having a high school diploma or GED
• Having good communication skills
• Being detail-oriented
• Being reliable
• Being compassionate
• Having a clean criminal background
• Being certified
• Having physical stamina
• Being listed in the Illinois Nurse Aide Registry

As with the duties, additional prerequisites may be added by the employers.

Patient Care Technician Education in Illinois

Not everyone can be listed in the Illinois Nurse Aide Registry.

You’ll first have to graduate from a training program and then pass an exam that has both a written and a practice part.

Training programs for nurse aides in this state are found at the schools below.

The duration of the program varies.

Furthermore, even the type of diploma you can earn varies.

Expect to study for at least 1 year for a certificate.

Since the spots in each program are limited, students must show:

• A clean criminal record
• A passed drug screening test
• A passed TB skin test
• Had vaccinations done for:
  • MMR
  • Varicella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Flu
  • Tetanus

Here is a list of some of the classes you’ll attend:

• 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 Illinois

Once you graduate, in Illinois, you have to pass the nurse aide exam that the National Healthcare Association (NHA) offers.

This is the license patient care techs in this state need to obtain.

The paperwork you must gather when signing up for the exam, must show you:

• Are at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Graduated from a specialized training program
• Paid the exam fee – $149
• Show proof of citizenship or nationality
• Submit a set of fingerprints

Make sure you don’t pay the test fee twice, as some schools have it included in the tuition they charge.

If you don’t want or can’t attend a training course, you could, instead, accumulate related experience for at least 1 year.

Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in Illinois

It’s easy to answer the “Where do PCTs in Illinois work” question.

The answer is below:

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

As far as salary goes, it is based on several factors including experience, location, and even certifications.

The next table will show you the average salaries in the state’s major urban areas.

Regional Salary in Illinois

Additional Information for Patient Care Technician in Illinois

Here are some resources you can use when in need:

• Illinois Nurse Aide Registry
• Illinois Department of Public Health
• National Health Association