How to Become a PCT in Oklahoma

Perhaps you want to start a new career as a patient care technician (PCT) in Oklahoma.

All you need to do is read the information compiled below.

You will learn more about training and the certification process in this state.

Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in Oklahoma

Patient care techs have a variety of tasks to complete daily.

For example, you will have to assist the patients coming into the clinic, and their families.

You could also be asked to help the clinic’s personnel with various tasks.

Some clinics require extra duties, in addition to the ones mentioned 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

As you will complete most of the tasks unsupervised, you also need to improve your skills.

Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in Oklahoma

To have a better chance of becoming a PCT in Oklahoma, you have to:

• 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

There is also a certification exam you will have to pass.

In this state, you have to register in the Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry before you can get hired.

Patient Care Technician Education in Oklahoma

The first step is joining a school that provides PCT training programs.

In Oklahoma, it is not hard to locate a school that offers such training programs.

Some schools that have programs available are:

A training program for patient care technicians in Oklahoma typically lasts for a few months.

But, you will also find programs that last for a year or more.

One of these is an Associate’s degree, which can last up to 4 years.

However, keep in mind that this program will provide increased career opportunities.

The main requirements for attending a training program 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

There’s at least one program that requires individuals to first get trained as CNAs before they enroll in the PCT course.

The program will include theory and practice.

The subjects you will study 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 Oklahoma.

The first step in obtaining a certification is to pass the NHA exam.

This test requires to:

• 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

You should have experience of at least a year if you didn’t attend a training program.

A training program will allow you to skip paying your tuition as it will be covered by the school.

The licensing exam lasts for about 2 hours.

You will have to answer 100 questions.

Additionally, you will also have to take 20 pre-test questions.

Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, after obtaining a license, you can find a job in any of the facilities below:

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

As a patient care technician in Oklahoma, your yearly salary will reach about $32,100.

Keep in mind that your salary will depend on factors such as your place of residence and experience.

Regional Salary in Oklahoma

Additional Information for Patient Care Technician in Oklahoma

If you would like to have some extra career resources, have a look at the following:

• Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry
• National Health Association