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PCT EXTERNSHIP

Patient Care Technician Externship in Missouri

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

Patient Care Technician externship training in Missouri

100

Hours Required

4-8

Weeks Typical

118

MO Hospitals

4,500+

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 Missouri 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri health systems.

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Dialysis Centers

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

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Long-Term Care

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

PCT Externship Sites in Missouri

Explore potential externship locations across four regions of The Show-Me State

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St. Louis Metro (St. Louis City, St. Louis County)

Major healthcare hub with BJC HealthCare (Barnes-Jewish) and SSM Health. Washington University provides academic medicine.

Hospitals: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Dialysis: DaVita (30+ centers), Fresenius (25+ centers) St. Louis metro

Long-Term Care: St. Louis LTC; Delmar Gardens, Bethesda Health Group, Lutheran Senior Services

💡 Tip: Barnes-Jewish is consistently top-ranked nationally—affiliated with Washington University.

Kansas City Metro (Jackson, Clay, Platte Counties)

Missouri side of KC with HCA Midwest, Saint Luke's, and University of Kansas Health System access.

Hospitals: Saint Luke's Hospital, Truman Medical Centers, Research Medical Center, North Kansas City Hospital

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Kansas City locations

Long-Term Care: KC metro nursing facilities; Kingswood, John Knox Village, Delmar Gardens

💡 Tip: Kansas City straddles state line—can access opportunities in both Missouri and Kansas.

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Springfield/Southwest (Greene, Christian Counties)

Mercy Springfield and CoxHealth anchor the Ozarks region. Bass Pro Shops headquarters.

Hospitals: Mercy Hospital Springfield, CoxHealth, Mercy Hospital Joplin

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Southwest Missouri locations

Long-Term Care: Springfield area nursing facilities; Mercy, Cox continuing care

💡 Tip: Springfield has lower cost of living with solid healthcare market.

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Columbia/Central Missouri (Boone, Cole Counties)

University of Missouri with MU Health Care—mid-Missouri's academic medical center.

Hospitals: University of Missouri Health Care, Boone Hospital Center, SSM Health St. Mary's (Jefferson City)

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Central Missouri locations

Long-Term Care: Central Missouri nursing facilities; Columbia and Jefferson City area

💡 Tip: Columbia is a college town with strong university hospital—good training environment.

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 Missouri?

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 Missouri:

Where can I find PCT externship sites in Missouri?
Missouri has 118 hospitals with BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, Mercy, and HCA Midwest as dominant systems. St. Louis and Kansas City have the highest concentration. DaVita and Fresenius operate 60+ dialysis centers statewide.
Does Missouri require PCT certification?
Missouri does not require state PCT certification. AMCA PCTC is strongly preferred by BJC, SSM, and Mercy. CNA certification through Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is required for nursing homes.
What's unique about Missouri's healthcare market?
Missouri has two major metros (St. Louis and KC) with world-class academic centers. Barnes-Jewish Hospital (St. Louis) is consistently top-ranked. Kansas City's position on the state line creates cross-state opportunities. Rural Missouri has significant shortages.
How do I approach Barnes-Jewish for an externship?
Barnes-Jewish (BJC HealthCare) is competitive. Contact their nursing education department directly. BJC has formal student programs and values academic commitment. Consider starting with other BJC hospitals before targeting Barnes-Jewish main campus.