How to Become a PCT in Mississippi

Not many people are willing to help others on a daily basis, but this is exactly what patient care technicians in Mississippi do.

You must be here because you want to know what it takes to become a PCT in this state!

Grab a drink and read on!

Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in Mississippi

There are many tasks a PCT must complete.

Below you can see the most common of these tasks, and this means many more can come up:

• 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

One important aspect of being a patient care technician is that you will perform all these tasks without supervision.

Most other occupations that have similar job duties to a PCT need supervision.

Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in Mississippi

Liking to help or take care of others is not enough to become a patient care tech.

But are you really a good fit for this position?

Keep in mind that you can get hired only if you:

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

Usually having certification means you’re also found on the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry.

Patient Care Technician Education in Mississippi

Given the nature of the job and the many duties assigned to you, it’s important to receive proper education before finding employment.

The training you’ll receive is similar to that of a future nursing assistant.

Here are the schools in Mississippi offering such training programs.

Searching for programs in other states is a possibility if these ones don’t offer what you need.

The majority of PCTs choose to obtain certificates through programs that last less than 2 years.

Choosing an Associates’ degree instead, and studying for at least 2 years, is better for your career.

The type of diploma and tuition is what sets most of these schools apart.

Most of these institutions have enrollment requirements, such as:

• 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

By attending the following classes, you’ll improve the skills you need as a PCT:

• 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

All students have to attend the practice hours in a clinical setting, that are included in the program.

Patient Care Technician Certification in Mississippi

It’s important to know that you can’t be listed in the Registry if you’re not certified.

To earn your certification, you’ll have to pass the exam that the National Healthcare Association (NHA) organizes.

This test is held at the Pearson Vue testing centers.

When you sign up for the exam, you must make sure you:

• 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

Not everyone can or wants to receive a formal education, and instead, they can accumulate at least a year of experience in the field.

Those who choose the formal education route should know that some schools include the exam fee in their tuition.

As far as the exam goes, it has 20 pre-test questions and 100 questions you must answer in almost two hours.

Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in Mississippi

You probably wonder where you’ll find employment.

Luckily for most patient care techs, there are many facilities hiring, such as:

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

There are many factors that will decide your salary.

In cities like Jackson, Horn Lake, and Southaven, you can earn a higher salary by default.

Regional Salary in Mississippi

Additional Information for Patient Care Technician in Mississippi

Once in a while, you’ll find yourself in some dilemma that these resources could help you with:

• Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry
• National Health Association