PCT EXTERNSHIP
Patient Care Technician Externship in Louisiana
Your complete guide to arranging a self-managed 100-hour externship across The Pelican State. Build clinical skills, employer connections, and a pathway to employment.
100
Hours Required
4-8
Weeks Typical
130
LA Hospitals
3,500+
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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana health systems.
Dialysis Centers
DaVita and Fresenius operate dialysis centers across Louisiana, offering specialized renal care experience.
Long-Term Care
Skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers throughout Louisiana provide extended patient care opportunities.
PCT Externship Sites in Louisiana
Explore potential externship locations across four regions of The Pelican State
New Orleans Metro (Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany)
Louisiana's largest city with Ochsner Health and LCMC Health. World-class academic medicine at Tulane and LSU.
Hospitals: Ochsner Medical Center, University Medical Center New Orleans, Tulane Medical Center, East Jefferson General, Touro Infirmary
Dialysis: DaVita (25+ centers), Fresenius (20+ centers) Greater New Orleans
Long-Term Care: New Orleans area LTC; Poydras Home, Chateau Living Center, Lambeth House
💡 Tip: Ochsner is Louisiana's largest employer—excellent externship and career pathways.
Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish)
State capital with Our Lady of the Lake and Baton Rouge General. LSU presence.
Hospitals: Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge General, Ochsner Baton Rouge, Woman's Hospital
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Baton Rouge locations
Long-Term Care: Baton Rouge nursing facilities; Our Lady of the Lake, OLOL Assumption Community Hospital
💡 Tip: Our Lady of the Lake is the region's largest hospital with academic partnerships.
Acadiana (Lafayette, Iberia, St. Martin Parishes)
Cajun country with Lafayette General Health and Our Lady of Lourdes.
Hospitals: Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Lafayette General Medical Center, Iberia Medical Center
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Acadiana locations
Long-Term Care: Acadiana nursing facilities; Lafayette and surrounding parishes
💡 Tip: French Cajun culture—bilingual French can be valuable in Acadiana healthcare.
North Louisiana (Caddo, Ouachita Parishes)
Shreveport and Monroe with Willis-Knighton and Ochsner LSU Health.
Hospitals: Willis-Knighton Medical Center, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, St. Francis Medical Center (Monroe)
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius North Louisiana locations
Long-Term Care: North Louisiana nursing facilities; Willis-Knighton, Christus Schumpert
💡 Tip: North Louisiana is less competitive—facilities often eager for externs.
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 Louisiana?
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 Louisiana: