How to Become a PCT in Ohio

Have you always wanted to work in the healthcare field?

In that case, you could enjoy becoming a patient care technician (PCT) in Ohio.

Before starting your job, you have to know a few things about training and licensing.

So, read below as we have brought you some important information.

Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in Ohio

Ohio allows patient care technicians to work unsupervised.

However, this also means you will need some skills that allow you to perform your daily tasks.

Your main duties will be to assist the clinic’s patients, and family.

Some of the most important job duties 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

Some medical facilities request PCTs to finish some extra tasks.

Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in Ohio

The criteria for becoming a PCT in Ohio are:

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

You also have to pass a certification exam.

In Ohio, you have to be listed Ohio Nurse Aide Registry as well.

Patient Care Technician Education in Ohio

First, you should join a facility that offers patient care tech training programs.

In Ohio, it will be easy to find a school that provides these programs, such as:

The patient care technician programs finish after about a year or less.

You can also choose an Associates’ degree.

Such a degree lasts for longer to complete, about 3 to 4 years.

This will also give you the chance for better job opportunities.

If you want to attend a PCT training program, you need to:

• 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 program will feature theory and practice.

Some of the subjects you will take are:

• 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 Ohio

You will need to complete some steps before you can get hired.

To get a certification, you have to take the NHA exam.

This exam requires:

• 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

Those who didn’t finish a training program, also need at least 1 year of experience.

Most candidates prefer to join a program because tuition will be covered.

The certification exam usually lasts for about 2 hours or so.

The exam has 100 questions.

Furthermore, you will also need to answer 20 pre-test questions.

Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in Ohio

In Ohio, after you get a certification, you can work in any medical facility of your choice.

Some of these facilities include:

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

As a patient care tech in Ohio, you will make about $33,343  per year.

There are several factors that affect the salary you will get.

Some of these factors are location and how much experience you have.

Regional Salary in Ohio

Additional Information for Patient Care Technician in Ohio

Maybe you need to have more info on patient care techs, and in that case, check out the following:

• Ohio Nurse Aide Registry
• National Health Association