How to Become a PCT in Virginia

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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!

Search Patient Care Technician Programs

Get information on Patient Care Technician programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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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.

Top 6 Schools in Virginia

School NameAddress
Centura College4455 South Boulevard Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452
Fast Track Health Care Education3201 Brandon Avenue Suite 8 Roanoke, Virginia 24018
Lord Fairfax Community College6480 College St, Warrenton, VA 20187
Sentara College of Health Sciences1441 Crossways Blvd. Chesapeake, VA 23320
Ultimate Health School7839 Ashton Avenue Manassas, VA 20109
William N. Neff Campus255 Stanley Street Abingdon, VA 24210

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.

Annual Salary Range:
$28K
$34K
$43K

Average Salary of Patient Care Technicians in Virginia

City NameSalary
Virginia Beach$32,646
Norfolk$32,154
Chesapeake$32,113
Arlington$38,014
Richmond$34,074
Newport News$31,990
Alexandria$38,014
Hampton$31,990
Roanoke$31,571
Portsmouth$32,154
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Virginia

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA700$35,160$16.91$42,080$29,310
Charlottesville, VA1,710$37,930$18.23$47,470$30,150
Harrisonburg, VA560$35,400$17.02$42,930$27,720
Lynchburg, VA1,180$35,890$17.26$44,880$28,740
Richmond, VA6,580$37,570$18.06$46,260$29,150
Roanoke, VA2,470$35,860$17.24$44,820$28,930
Staunton-Waynesboro, VA650$38,030$18.28$45,300$28,080
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC8,100$35,760$17.19$44,930$26,540
Winchester, VA-WV640$37,340$17.95$43,620$29,220
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Nursing Assistants, OCC Code 31-1131, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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
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