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PCT EXTERNSHIP

Patient Care Technician Externship in Mississippi

Your complete guide to arranging a self-managed 100-hour externship across The Magnolia State. Build clinical skills, employer connections, and a pathway to employment.

Patient Care Technician externship training in Mississippi

100

Hours Required

4-8

Weeks Typical

83

MS Hospitals

1,800+

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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi, you'll work alongside experienced healthcare professionals in hospitals, dialysis centers, or long-term care facilities.

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Hospital Settings

Medical-surgical units, emergency departments, ICUs, and specialty floors at major Mississippi health systems.

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Dialysis Centers

DaVita and Fresenius operate dialysis centers across Mississippi, offering specialized renal care experience.

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Long-Term Care

Skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers throughout Mississippi provide extended patient care opportunities.

PCT Externship Sites in Mississippi

Explore potential externship locations across four regions of The Magnolia State

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Jackson Metro (Hinds, Rankin, Madison Counties)

State capital with University of Mississippi Medical Center—the state's only academic medical center.

Hospitals: University of Mississippi Medical Center, Baptist Medical Center Jackson, St. Dominic Hospital, Merit Health Central

Dialysis: DaVita (12+ centers), Fresenius (10+ centers) Central Mississippi

Long-Term Care: Jackson area nursing facilities; Mississippi State Veterans Home, Methodist Senior Services

💡 Tip: UMMC is Mississippi's only Level I trauma center and academic medical center.

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Gulf Coast (Harrison, Jackson Counties)

Biloxi-Gulfport with Memorial Health System and Singing River Health. Casino and tourism economy.

Hospitals: Memorial Hospital Gulfport, Singing River Hospital (Pascagoula), Garden Park Medical Center, Merit Health Biloxi

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Gulf Coast locations

Long-Term Care: Gulf Coast nursing facilities; coastal retirement communities

💡 Tip: Gulf Coast has tourism and military (Keesler AFB)—diverse patient population.

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North Mississippi (DeSoto, Lee, Lafayette Counties)

Memphis suburbs and college towns with Baptist Memorial and North Mississippi Health Services.

Hospitals: Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, North Mississippi Medical Center (Tupelo), Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius North Mississippi locations

Long-Term Care: North Mississippi nursing facilities; Tupelo and Memphis suburb communities

💡 Tip: DeSoto County is part of Memphis metro—access to Tennessee healthcare market.

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South Mississippi (Forrest, Jones, Lauderdale Counties)

Hattiesburg and Meridian with Forrest General and Anderson Regional.

Hospitals: Forrest General Hospital (Hattiesburg), Merit Health Wesley, Anderson Regional Medical Center (Meridian)

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius South Mississippi locations

Long-Term Care: South Mississippi nursing facilities; rural and small-city LTC

💡 Tip: South Mississippi has significant healthcare worker shortages—facilities 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 Mississippi?

Free to enroll. Free to learn. Pay only when you're ready to certify.

$0 To Enroll
100 Clinical Hours
AMCA Certification
Enroll Free Today

No credit card required • No FAFSA • No obligation

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PCT externships in Mississippi:

Where can I find PCT externship sites in Mississippi?
Mississippi has 83 hospitals with University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson), Baptist Memorial, and Memorial Health System as major employers. DaVita and Fresenius operate 25+ dialysis centers. Mississippi has high chronic disease rates driving PCT demand.
Does Mississippi require PCT certification?
Mississippi does not require state PCT certification. AMCA PCTC is preferred by UMMC and Baptist. CNA certification through Mississippi State Department of Health is required for nursing homes. Mississippi is part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact.
What's Mississippi's healthcare job market like?
Mississippi has significant healthcare worker shortages throughout the state, creating strong job prospects for PCTs. High rates of diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease drive dialysis demand. Rural hospitals often offer sign-on bonuses and housing assistance.
Can North Mississippi residents access Memphis healthcare jobs?
Yes—DeSoto County is part of the Memphis metro. Baptist Memorial, Methodist Le Bonheur, and St. Jude operate across state lines. Tennessee and Mississippi have reciprocity. The Memphis market significantly expands your options.

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