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PCT EXTERNSHIP

Patient Care Technician Externship in New Mexico

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

Patient Care Technician externship training in New Mexico

100

Hours Required

4-8

Weeks Typical

42

NM Hospitals

1,100+

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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico, 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 New Mexico health systems.

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Dialysis Centers

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

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Long-Term Care

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

PCT Externship Sites in New Mexico

Explore potential externship locations across four regions of The Land of Enchantment

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Albuquerque Metro (Bernalillo, Sandoval Counties)

New Mexico's largest city with UNM Health (academic medical center), Presbyterian, and Lovelace.

Hospitals: UNM Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital, Lovelace Medical Center, Heart Hospital of New Mexico, Kaseman Hospital

Dialysis: DaVita (15+ centers), Fresenius (10+ centers) Albuquerque metro

Long-Term Care: Albuquerque LTC; Genesis, The Watermark, La Vida Llena

💡 Tip: UNM Hospital is New Mexico's only Level I trauma center and academic medical center.

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Santa Fe/North Central (Santa Fe, Los Alamos Counties)

State capital with CHRISTUS St. Vincent. Arts community and tourism economy.

Hospitals: CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, Los Alamos Medical Center, Española Hospital

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Santa Fe locations

Long-Term Care: Santa Fe area nursing facilities; Casa Real, Las Palomas

💡 Tip: Santa Fe has unique arts/cultural community—smaller but stable healthcare market.

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Las Cruces/South (Doña Ana, Otero Counties)

Second-largest city near El Paso with Memorial Medical Center and MountainView Regional.

Hospitals: Memorial Medical Center, MountainView Regional Medical Center, Gerald Champion Regional (Alamogordo)

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Southern NM locations

Long-Term Care: Las Cruces nursing facilities; Sagecrest, Casa De Oro

💡 Tip: Las Cruces residents can access El Paso, Texas healthcare market.

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Eastern New Mexico (Chaves, Lea, Curry Counties)

Oil/gas communities with Eastern New Mexico Medical Center and Lea Regional.

Hospitals: Eastern New Mexico Medical Center (Roswell), Lea Regional Medical Center (Hobbs), Plains Regional Medical Center (Clovis)

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Eastern NM locations

Long-Term Care: Eastern NM nursing facilities; rural long-term care

💡 Tip: Eastern NM has significant shortages—oil industry wages compete for workers.

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 New Mexico?

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 New Mexico:

Where can I find PCT externship sites in New Mexico?
New Mexico has 42 hospitals with Presbyterian Healthcare Services (8 hospitals), UNM Health, and Lovelace as major systems. Albuquerque has the highest concentration. DaVita and Fresenius operate 30+ dialysis centers statewide.
Does New Mexico require PCT certification?
New Mexico does not require state PCT certification. AMCA PCTC is preferred by Presbyterian, UNM, and Lovelace. CNA certification through New Mexico Department of Health is required for nursing homes. New Mexico is part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact.
What's unique about New Mexico's healthcare market?
New Mexico has significant Native American and Hispanic populations requiring cultural competency. Indian Health Service operates multiple facilities. Bilingual Spanish is highly valuable. Rural areas have extreme healthcare worker shortages with recruitment incentives.
Can Las Cruces residents access El Paso healthcare jobs?
Yes—Las Cruces is 45 minutes from El Paso, Texas. University Medical Center of El Paso, Del Sol Medical Center, and other Texas facilities are accessible. This dramatically expands your options beyond New Mexico's smaller market.

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