Regarding PCT

[9star, BSN, RN]

hi ,

i'm a foreign graduated nurse,recently preparing for NCLEX-RN. i've done three years general nursing n midwifery diploma course from india. i just wanted to get some information regarding PCT,that can i apply to work as a PCT at dialysis centers or i'll have to take the PCT training programme first?

any suggestions will be appreciated.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

A majority of PCT's have on the job training/in-hospital orientation for a specified amount of time (I remember mine was only a day followed by 3 days of orienting on the floor). To my knowledge there aren't any PCT training programs, but that may depend on the location.

[9star, BSN, RN]

i'm located at california..so can i apply for the job in hospitals?

thank you very much for your response.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

i'm located at california..so can i apply for the job in hospitals?

thank you very much for your response.

I don't see why not. I'm originally from Ohio and most PCT's worked in hospitals. I now live in Texas and it's the same. The "scope of practice" for PCT's vary by institution and state, however. The PCT's at one hospital where I worked at could do everything nursing assistants could do + blood sugars (some hospitals won't let NA's do blood sugars!), insert foleys and phlebotomy. The PCT's at yet another hospital could do all that + trach care/suctioning, dressing changes and give enemas. It just depends.

[9star, BSN, RN]

I don't see why not. I'm originally from Ohio and most PCT's worked in hospitals. I now live in Texas and it's the same. The "scope of practice" for PCT's vary by institution and state, however. The PCT's at one hospital where I worked at could do everything nursing assistants could do + blood sugars (some hospitals won't let NA's do blood sugars!), insert foleys and phlebotomy. The PCT's at yet another hospital could do all that + trach care/suctioning, dressing changes and give enemas. It just depends.

but now my concern is that will i be counted eligible to work as a PCT ,still i don't have any kind of license here.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

PCT's are not licensed...they are considered UAP, or unlicensed personnel. same with CNA's. CNA's have to take a certification exam but that doesn't make them licensed. As I mentioned, most PCT positions provide on-the-job training.

[HeatUSA-Tunisia]

The hospital I worked at as a PCT required us to have our CNA certification first. All other training (phlebotomy for example) was on the job.