How to Become a PCT in Virginia

The need for personnel in the medical industry is big, even in Virginia.

Read this article to learn more about how you can become a patient care technician in this state!

Patient Care Technician Job Description and Duties in Virginia

You may not be familiar with this occupation.

PCTs have a very similar job to certified nurse assistants or CNAs for short.

PCTs are in charge of these tasks:

• 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

Many times these professionals will receive additional tasks to complete.

Patient Care Technician Job Requirements in Virginia

Generally speaking, this occupation doesn’t have many requirements to meet.

Future PCTs usually just need 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
• Be listed in the Virginia Nurse Aide Registry

Many employers also ask for some previous experience in the medical field.

Patient Care Technician Education in Virginia

Receiving formal training is the best way to develop the skills and knowledge needed for a position like that of a PCT.

Virginia has quite a few schools you can consider enrolling at, for a suitable program.

These are listed below.

Future PCTs can choose from these types of diplomas:

• Certificate
• Associates’ degree
• Bachelors’ degree

The certificate is one of the easiest to obtain.

Such a course lasts for around a year, whereas the Associates’ degree program has a duration of at least 2 years.

These two are the most popular credentials patient care technicians choose.

There’s a limited number of spots available in each course.

Candidates without the following are rejected:

• Having a clean criminal record
• Passing a drug screening test
• Passing a TB skin test
• Having the following vaccines done:
  • MMR
  • Varicella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Flu
  • Tetanus

The patient care tech courses have some lab practice hours included as well.

Students can’t skip any of the practice hours.

The programs for future patient care techs include these classes:

• 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 Virginia

NHA offers the best certification for PCTs in Virginia and not only.

Passing an exam that is close to 2 hours long is how you earn the certification.

The following are needed when signing up for this test:

• Be over the age of 18
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have graduated from a specialized training program
• Pay the exam fee – $149
• Show proof of citizenship or nationality
• Submit a set of fingerprints

Certification candidates can accumulate 1 year of experience instead of completing the training program.

For the test, be prepared to answer 100 questions along with 20 pre-test questions.

Patient Care Technician Employment and Salary in Virginia

If you passed the exam, you can now apply for a job.

Patient care technicians usually work for:

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

PCTs in Virginia can earn a median salary of $34000 a year.

Salaries can be higher for those working in Arlington, Alexandria, and Richmond.

Regional Salary in Virginia

Additional Information for Patient Care Technician in Virginia

Finding more classes can be easier with these next resources:

• Virginia Nurse Aide Registry
• National Health Association
• Virginia Board of Nursing