How to Become a PCT in New Jersey

Maybe you are considering a new career in the medical field in New Jersey.

If you think that becoming a patient care technician is the right choice, all you need to do is read on.

Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in New Jersey

As a PCT, you can work alone and without being supervised.

This position is close to the one of a CNA, which does require supervising.

If you want to become a PCT, you must develop a set of skills.

Your main job duty involves you assisting patients and the staff of the facility.

The most common day to day tasks of a PCT are:

• 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

In New Jersey, you must register with the New Jersey Nurse Aide and Personal Care Assistant Registry.

PCTs could need to finish extra job tasks.

Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in New Jersey

To become a PCT, you should:

• 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

In order to get into the Registry, you will have to take a certification exam.

Patient Care Technician Education in New Jersey

The New Jersey Nurse Registry requires candidates to search for a training program.

In New Jersey, you can attend one of the many programs at one of the schools listed below.

Patient care tech programs typically last for 6 months and up to a year.

Through these programs, you’ll earn a certificate.

You can pursue a degree at the Associates’ level if you are looking for better credentials.

This means you will have to attend a program that lasts 2 or 3 years.

There are certain requirements to attend a PCT training program.

These are:

• 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:

• 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 New Jersey

If you go for a license, you need to meet some requirements first.

You will need to finish a program, and you will also have to take an exam.

To take the NHA exam, you have to:

• 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

You are also required to have 1 year of experience.

This requirement only applies to those who didn’t finish a training program in a school.

Most candidates prefer to enroll in a program because the tuition will be paid by the school.

You will have 2 hours to finish the certification exam.

During this time, you need to answer 100 questions.

Keep in mind that you also have to answer the 20 pre-test questions.

Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in New Jersey

In New Jersey, you can get a job in a medical facility of your choice.

Such facilities are:

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

In New Jersey, you will make a yearly salary of about $37,000.

Those who live in a bigger city have higher chances to get a better salary.

Regional Salary in New Jersey

Additional Information for Patient Care Technician in New Jersey

There are a few additional resources worth looking into, such as:

• New Jersey Nurse Aide and Personal Care Assistant Registry
• National Health Association