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Did you know that you could have a new career by becoming a patient care technician in West Virginia?
Although there are many avenues that you can take to become a PCT or patient care technician, formal education can prepare you for the challenges of coming into this position.
Let’s go over a few ways you can become a patient care technician in West Virginia.
Article Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements For PCT in West Virginia
There are many tests that we will have to perform as patient care technicians in West Virginia.
As a patient care technician, you will have to be able to physically help patients and their families in a healthcare facility or various healthcare settings.
The requirements to become a patient care technician in West Virginia include having a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Also, to be a PCT in West Virginia you must have great communication skill sets, and be detail-oriented.
You must be compassionate about the job you are about to do and have a clean criminal background through a background check.
It is important to know that not all jobs require you to have a certificate or license to be a patient care technician in West Virginia.
However, you have to earn an EKG certification, CPR certification, dialysis certification, and CNA certification to work as a PCT.
To become certified as a PCT, you must have an NHA (National Health Association) certificate and PCT license in West Virginia.
You do not need any prior experience to join the program and if you wish not to complete the program, you must have at least one year’s experience to take the exam.
It is important to know that the licensing exam has approximately 100 questions and the test will last about 2 hours.
You will also have 20 pretest questions before the exam begins for the NHA PCT licensure test.
After you complete the certification through the NHA, and you have passed with a high enough score, your certification will be given to you.
Your certification will allow you to work in various healthcare facilities that you may choose from, and here are some of the facilities that you can choose in West Virginia:
- Dialysis clinic
- Hospital
- General Health clinic
- A rehabilitation center
- Nursing homes
- At-home care services
- Hospice centers
- Long-term care/ assisted living apartment complexes or facilities
It is important to know that it may not be accessible to get to a program in your area and West Virginia because the PCT program is very competitive and can be scarce in some areas.
However, there is a way that you can become a patient care technician through a CNA program if a PCT program is not available.
Patient Care Technician School in West Virginia
West Virginia Northern Community College
West Virginia Northern community college offers a pet care technician-one program where you will learn basic life support CPR within 4 weeks of the course.
You must have a complete certified background check and drug screen for the course during the 5th week.
The interstate tuition rate for West Virginia Northern Community college from fall 2022 to Summer 2023 includes an in-state rate of $150 for a credit hour and upwards of $1,800 for 12 or more credit hours.
For out-of-state students, the tuition rate is $482 per credit hour and $5,784 for 12 work credit hours.
The Metro rates for West Virginia Northern Community College concerning tuition are $337 per credit hour and $4,44.12 more credit hours.
There are early entrance rates for credit hours at this school at $25 a credit hour at $300 for 12 more credit hours.
The student is responsible for some of the basic supplies that will be needed for the course, including white leather shoes, and the required core supplies are offered through a voucher.
Some of the required car supplies include a red scrub outfit uniform, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff kit, resource kit, and a second-hand watch.
This patient care technician course involves three lectures and two labs and equates to 9 hours per week for 15 weeks.
Although there are not many training programs through schools available in West Virginia for the patient care assisting career track, it is possible to get hired and be trained on the job by several employers in the West Virginia area if you cannot make it to West Virginia Northern Community College.
Patient Care Technician Schools in West Virginia – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| West Virginia Northern Community College | 1600 Chapline St, Wheeling, WV 26003 |
PCT Salary West Virginia
Working as a patient care technician in West Virginia will bring in an average salary of $30,593 per year as of 2022.
However, if you are new in the field, you can’t expect a lower salary, rendering around $26,651.
Any additional skills, certifications, and experience that you have in the health field can help you to gain a higher salary at your start of work as a patient care technician.
Patient care technicians on average at the top tier made $34,210 a year in salary.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $31,548 |
| Huntington | $30,935 |
| Parkersburg | $30,755 |
| Wheeling | $33,907 |
| Morgantown | $33,907 |
| Weirton | $33,791 |
| Fairmont | $33,907 |
| Beckley | $31,271 |
| Clarksburg | $30,478 |
| Martinsburg | $38,381 |
Regional Salary in West Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 580 | $32,900 | $15.82 | $36,040 | $27,970 |
| Charleston, WV | 1,230 | $33,810 | $16.25 | $39,510 | $29,370 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 1,700 | $35,010 | $16.83 | $42,720 | $27,530 |
| Morgantown, WV | 1,280 | $37,010 | $17.79 | $37,550 | $31,950 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 480 | $34,480 | $16.58 | $38,270 | $29,550 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 650 | $34,590 | $16.63 | $39,720 | $27,790 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 860 | $33,970 | $16.33 | $39,460 | $29,120 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be certified to work as a patient care technician in West Virginia?
The answer to this question is that it depends, and this is because different employers require different requirements from you as a patient care technician.
However, one of the most common certifications you can expect to find for all employers looking for a patient care technician is CPR and EKG certifications.
Most employers want you to have a high school diploma or equivalent before beginning the job as a patient care technician in West Virginia.
Many employers will train you to become a patient care technician to fulfill a role that is in need for their company if you meet all other requirements such as a background check and you become hired by the company.
Can you find a job working as a patient care technician without a certificate?
It is possible to find a job working as a patient care technician in West Virginia without certification or licensure.
However, it is important to know that most employers want you to have at least a high school diploma and be willing to be trained and gain different certifications through their program on the job.
Can you work as a patient care technician as a CNA?
Yes, you can work as a patient care technician with certified nursing assistant certification.
Itis important to know that you may earn more as a patient care technician if you have a CAN certification license.
Many employers look at your experience, education, and if you are physically and mentally able to do the job.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Care Technician
PCT Schools by City
PCT Schools by State