?'s about working as a PCA for St. John's Mercy, St. Louis

[Katharine]

I am interested in applying for entry level job to get my feet wet in the medical field. I'm interested in both nursing and healthcare management. I see several jobs open at St. John's Mercy for Patient Care Associates, but the requirements aren't very clear. It says applicants need to have completed a PCA/PCT class. Does that mean they want applicants to complete a CNA course prior to applying?

Second question: what are the average shift times for day/evening shift and evening/night shifts? I want to make sure the hours will fit with my family before I apply.

Thank you!:heartbeat

[MzTayTay]

St. Johns requires all of their new PCTs to be trained at St. Johns, even if they already have a CNA. I think the training is 3 weeks. The hours for PCT positons vary widely. Expect to be working either 8, 10, or 12 hours shifts. More often than not, its 12.

[Katharine]

So how does that work-- you apply, get hired, then can enroll in the class with your continue employment being on the condition you successfully complete the class?

What are the hours for a 12 hour shift day/evening or evening/night?

[MzTayTay]

A classmate of mine is a pct there, I got all this info from her, my memory is kinda shot so you may want to verify with human resources. But you got the jist of it. As far as the shift times, it should tell you on the job listing whether it is a day evening or nite position.

[angielynn1972]

I was hired there last November and unfortunatly had to quit a couple months later because of family issues. The first 4 weeks was PCA class which also included hands on training on the floor. It was Monday-Friday, I think 8am-4pm. you get paid for all of it. You then get assigned to the floor you will be working on and do two weeks training with a PCA. Most shifts are 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am but some departments do some eight hour shifts like 7am-3pm. Hope this helps.

[Katharine]

Thanks for all your replies that helps clarify it very well.

[chessknightRN]

Did you ever end up applying to this position? If so, how did it go? I plan on applying as well.

[Katharine]

No I didn't apply yet. The hours available conflict with homeschooling my daugther.

[ASD3187]

I am thinking about applying to st. johns as well, does anyone know how much the starting pay is? also, should i just apply to every single open pct position? i want full time, but im guessing i should take what i can get and apply to all. I am a pre-nursing student finishing my pre-reqs before applying and REALLLLLY want to work as a tech while in school, but im scared they won't hire me without experience... although i have been an office manager/receptionist at a medical office for almost a year so maybe that will help??

[ASD3187]

I was hired there last November and unfortunatly had to quit a couple months later because of family issues. The first 4 weeks was PCA class which also included hands on training on the floor. It was Monday-Friday, I think 8am-4pm. you get paid for all of it. You then get assigned to the floor you will be working on and do two weeks training with a PCA. Most shifts are 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am but some departments do some eight hour shifts like 7am-3pm. Hope this helps.

When you got hired on there, did u have any experience? I really want to apply and work there before i try nursing school. Thanks!

[RNgarden3]

I am thinking about applying to st. johns as well, does anyone know how much the starting pay is? also, should i just apply to every single open pct position? i want full time, but im guessing i should take what i can get and apply to all. I am a pre-nursing student finishing my pre-reqs before applying and REALLLLLY want to work as a tech while in school, but im scared they won't hire me without experience... although i have been an office manager/receptionist at a medical office for almost a year so maybe that will help??

PCA's make around 9-10 an hour depending on what experience you bring to them. Apply to as many as you want to, but I'd suggest actually contacting HR, letting them know you are interested, and asking them to clarify anything you'd like to know about their program. It helps to actually put your name out there. St. John's does the training for PCA's/PCT's on their own, regardless of experience, so definitely apply!

[ASD3187]

Do you know if they offer benefits??