PCT EXTERNSHIP
Patient Care Technician Externship in California
Your complete guide to arranging a self-managed 100-hour externship across The Golden State. Build clinical skills, employer connections, and a pathway to employment.
100
Hours Required
4-8
Weeks Typical
336
CA Hospitals
15,000+
Annual Openings
Self
Managed
Who this training is for
Ideal for candidates with prior PCT clinical experience who need certification to validate their skills for California employers.
New to the field? If you have no prior experience, you must complete a Self-Managed 100-Hour Externship to build hands-on confidence needed to complete the program and prepare to challenge the AMCA PCTC.
Externship Disclaimer
EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. All externships are self-managed. You are responsible for identifying and securing your own externship site at a hospital or healthcare facility. EHired provides state-specific resources and guidance, but placement is not guaranteed.
What is a PCT Externship?
A Patient Care Technician externship is a 100-hour hands-on clinical experience where you apply classroom knowledge in real healthcare settings. During your externship in California, you'll work alongside experienced healthcare professionals in hospitals, dialysis centers, or long-term care facilities.
Hospital Settings
Medical-surgical units, emergency departments, ICUs, and specialty floors at major California health systems.
Dialysis Centers
DaVita and Fresenius operate dialysis centers across California, offering specialized renal care experience.
Long-Term Care
Skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers throughout California provide extended patient care opportunities.
PCT Externship Sites in California
Explore potential externship locations across four regions of The Golden State
Los Angeles Metro (LA, Orange, Ventura Counties)
Nation's second-largest metro with massive healthcare market. Cedars-Sinai, UCLA, and Kaiser anchor the region.
Hospitals: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCLA Medical Center, Kaiser LA Medical Center, Providence, Keck Hospital of USC, Children's Hospital LA
Dialysis: DaVita (100+ centers), Fresenius (80+ centers), massive dialysis market
Long-Term Care: Extensive LTC network across LA basin
💡 Tip: LA market is competitive—be persistent and apply to multiple facilities. Bilingual Spanish is valuable.
Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose)
Tech hub with Stanford, UCSF, and Kaiser presence. High wages but high cost of living.
Hospitals: Stanford Health Care, UCSF Medical Center, Kaiser Oakland, Sutter Health, John Muir Health, El Camino Health
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Bay Area locations (60+ centers)
Long-Term Care: Peninsula and East Bay nursing facilities; senior population in Marin, Santa Cruz
💡 Tip: Bay Area PCTs earn highest wages in US but face extreme housing costs. Consider East Bay for better value.
San Diego (San Diego County)
Major military presence with VA San Diego and Naval Medical Center. Scripps and Sharp are dominant systems.
Hospitals: Scripps La Jolla, UC San Diego Health, Sharp Memorial, Kaiser San Diego, Rady Children's Hospital
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius San Diego locations (30+ centers)
Long-Term Care: San Diego County nursing facilities; growing retiree population
💡 Tip: San Diego has strong military healthcare—consider VA and military treatment facilities.
Central Valley & Sacramento (Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield)
Underserved region with UC Davis, Dignity Health, and Kaiser Sacramento. Lower cost of living than coast.
Hospitals: UC Davis Medical Center, Dignity Health Mercy hospitals, Kaiser Sacramento, Community Medical Centers (Fresno)
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Central Valley locations
Long-Term Care: Significant rural LTC presence throughout agricultural communities
💡 Tip: Central Valley has healthcare worker shortages—easier to find externships and jobs than coastal metros.
What You'll Learn During Your Externship
Clinical Skills
- • Vital signs measurement and documentation
- • Patient positioning and transfers
- • Basic wound care and dressing changes
- • Specimen collection procedures
- • EKG electrode placement
Professional Development
- • Healthcare team communication
- • Electronic health records (EHR)
- • HIPAA compliance in practice
- • Infection control protocols
- • Patient advocacy skills
Ready to Start Your PCT Career in California?
Free to enroll. Free to learn. Pay only when you're ready to certify.
No credit card required • No FAFSA • No obligation
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PCT externships in California: