PCT EXTERNSHIP
Patient Care Technician Externship in Illinois
Your complete guide to arranging a self-managed 100-hour externship across The Prairie State. Build clinical skills, employer connections, and a pathway to employment.
100
Hours Required
4-8
Weeks Typical
178
IL Hospitals
8,500+
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 Illinois 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 Illinois, 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 Illinois health systems.
Dialysis Centers
DaVita and Fresenius operate dialysis centers across Illinois, offering specialized renal care experience.
Long-Term Care
Skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers throughout Illinois provide extended patient care opportunities.
PCT Externship Sites in Illinois
Explore potential externship locations across four regions of The Prairie State
Chicago/Cook County
Third-largest US city with world-class academic medical centers. Northwestern, University of Chicago, and Rush anchor the market.
Hospitals: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University of Chicago Medical Center, Rush University Medical Center, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Loyola University Medical Center
Dialysis: DaVita (60+ centers), Fresenius (50+ centers), massive Chicago metro dialysis market
Long-Term Care: Extensive Chicago LTC network; Alden, Symphony, Infinity Healthcare
💡 Tip: Chicago is highly competitive—consider suburban hospitals for easier externship entry.
Chicago Suburbs (DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane)
Wealthy suburbs with Edward-Elmhurst, NorthShore, and Advocate systems. High wages, less competition than city.
Hospitals: Edward Hospital (Naperville), NorthShore University HealthSystem, Advocate Good Samaritan, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius suburban locations (40+ centers)
Long-Term Care: Suburban LTC facilities; Sunrise, Brookdale, independent nursing homes
💡 Tip: Suburban hospitals often more welcoming to externs than downtown academic centers.
Central Illinois (Sangamon, McLean, Peoria)
State capital and mid-size cities with OSF HealthCare, Carle Health, and Memorial Health.
Hospitals: OSF Saint Francis Medical Center (Peoria), Memorial Medical Center (Springfield), Carle BroMenn Medical Center (Bloomington)
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Central Illinois locations
Long-Term Care: Central Illinois nursing facilities; Heritage Health, Petersen Health Care
💡 Tip: Central Illinois has lower cost of living and less competition for healthcare jobs.
Northern Illinois (Winnebago, Rock Island)
Rockford and Quad Cities with SwedishAmerican and UnityPoint Health.
Hospitals: SwedishAmerican Hospital (Rockford), UnityPoint Health Trinity (Rock Island), OSF Saint Anthony (Rockford)
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Northern Illinois locations
Long-Term Care: Northern Illinois nursing facilities; Rockford and Quad Cities area
💡 Tip: Rockford is close to Chicago but more affordable—good balance of opportunity and cost.
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 Illinois?
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 Illinois: