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Not everyone individual is cut out to work in the medical field, dealing with the sick, the terminally ill, or the elderly.
Luckily, many take pride and joy in helping others.
One such career is as a patient care technician in Alaska.
In this role, you will be dealing directly with patients who can no longer perform basic tasks.
Therefore, if you have always wanted to help others and enter the medical field, becoming a patient care technician may be the right career path for you!
To learn more about becoming a patient care technician in Alaska, keep reading!
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become a Patient Care Technician
Before starting your journey to becoming a patient care technician, you must understand the process, which includes:
Step One: Earn a High School Diploma
All programs and employers require you to have a high school diploma to enter the program and find employment.
If you have not yet earned a diploma or wish to go back to school, a GED is also acceptable to enroll.
Step Two: Complete a Training Program
Despite Alaska’s massive size, it has a tiny population compared to most other states.
Therefore, only several physical schools exist within their boundaries.
However, you can enroll in an online patient care technician training program to become certified.
Step Three: Pass the Examination
Alaska-based patient care technicians must be registered with the Alaska Nurse Aide Registry before they can punch a clock.
To be added to the list, the candidate must hold the national certification, which requires passing an examination.
All patient care technician training programs prepare students for this examination.
Step Four: Seek Employment
The final step in the process after completing the program, passing the exam, and registering with the Alaska Nurse Aide Registry is to find an employer.
Given that there is a national shortage of patient care technicians, finding employment should be the least challenging aspect of this process.
Most schools also offer career assistance for recent graduates.
5 Patient Care Technician Schools in Alaska
Alaska Career College
The Alaska Career College has a hands-on medical assistant training program that prepares students for the certification examination and current situations that arise during their careers.
The program curriculum is comprised of measuring and reading vital signs, ECGs, hematology, diagnostic imaging, specialized diagnostic testing, catheterization, physical therapy, pharmacology, injections and drawing blood, capillary puncture, and routine exams, to name a few.
University of Alaska Anchorage
The University of Alaska Anchorage offers a healthcare assisting program that requires 6-8 credits.
In this program, students are prepared for the certification exam and learn CPR, first aid, basic anatomy, and medical terminology.
Best of all, students have on-site clinical training at a local healthcare facility that collaborates with the school.
This is a fantastic opportunity for post-graduate employment.
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Although the University of Alaska Fairbanks doesn’t have an official patient care technician program, they have a medical assistant certificate, which requires 36 credit hours of work.
The cost of this program is around $8,400 for residents.
Students are well-prepared for the certification exam through the extensive curriculum.
University of Alaska Southeast
Like the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Alaska Southeast only has a medical assisting certificate.
Similarly, the minimum credit hour requirement is 36 and the tuition cost runs at around $8,400 for the entire program.
Students learn CPR and first aid basics, clinical and administrative medical assisting procedures, anatomy, physiology, and psychology in the program.
U.S. Career Institute
The U.S. Career Institute offers a complete online patient care technician program that prepares students for the CPCT exam.
The cost of the exam is included in your tuition.
Students learn anatomy, medical terminology, medical ethics, vital signs, patient charting, moving, and assisting patients, dressing, and feeding patients, and patient cleanliness.
Patient Care Technician Schools in Alaska – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alaska Career College | 1415 E Tudor Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507 |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | 3211 Providence Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | 505 S Chandalar, Fairbanks, AK 99775 |
| University of Alaska Southeast | 11066 Auke Lake Way, Juneau, AK 99801 |
| U.S. Career Institute | 1415 E Tudor Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507 |
Salary
The median U.S. annual salary of a patient care technician is $30,000 to $38,600.
In Alaska, the median pay range is slightly higher, at $33,700 to $43,300, likely due to the higher-than-average cost of living.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Anchorage | $38,404 |
| Juneau | $38,062 |
| Fairbanks | $38,245 |
| Sitka | $37,544 |
| Ketchikan | $37,544 |
| Kenai | $37,886 |
| Kodiak | $37,886 |
| Bethel | $37,886 |
| Wasilla | $37,886 |
| Barrow | $37,727 |
Regional Salary in Alaska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 910 | $45,220 | $21.74 | $54,290 | $40,060 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Sources
- https://www.exploremedicalcareers.com/patient-care-technician/pct-alaska/
- https://catalog.uaf.edu/costs-financial-aid/
- https://catalog.uas.alaska.edu/certificate-degree-programs/certificates/medical-assisting-certificate/#certificaterequirementstext
- https://catalog.uaa.alaska.edu/coursedescriptions/hca/
- https://www.alaskacareercollege.edu/programs/medical-assistant
- https://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/online-patient-care-technician-school
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common topics students learn in a patient care technician training program?
The most common topics of any patient care technician training program include inserting catheters, drawing blood, first aid techniques, CPR, recording, and monitoring bodily functions, and reporting the patient’s condition.
Other topics in the curriculum include the function and structure of body systems, basic infection control techniques, medical terminology, providing patient safety, and delivering basic care.
What are the most common personality traits of patient care technicians in Alaska?
The ability to work and communicate with others are two paramount traits that patient care technicians must possess.
Also, since you will be working with the elderly and those who cannot perform basic functions on their own, you must have an elevated level of empathy and patience.
Also, attention to detail is a critical aspect of the job, especially when dealing with multiple medications or treatments.
Are patient care technicians and medical assistants the same in Alaska?
No, patient care technicians can rarely be found in physicians’ offices and are more likely to be spotted in wider healthcare settings.
Although they perform similar functions, medical assistants will be in medical offices.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State