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PCT EXTERNSHIP

Patient Care Technician Externship in North Dakota

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

Patient Care Technician externship training in North Dakota

100

Hours Required

4-8

Weeks Typical

36

ND Hospitals

600+

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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota, 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 North Dakota health systems.

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Dialysis Centers

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

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Long-Term Care

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

PCT Externship Sites in North Dakota

Explore potential externship locations across four regions of The Peace Garden State

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Fargo/Southeast (Cass, Richland Counties)

North Dakota's largest city with Sanford Health—one of the nation's largest rural health systems.

Hospitals: Sanford Medical Center Fargo, Essentia Health Fargo, Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center

Dialysis: DaVita (5+ centers), Fresenius (3+ centers) Fargo area

Long-Term Care: Fargo nursing facilities; Sanford continuing care, Bethany Retirement Living, Eventide

💡 Tip: Sanford Health is headquartered in Sioux Falls but dominates Fargo—major employer.

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Bismarck/Central (Burleigh, Morton Counties)

State capital with CHI St. Alexius and Sanford Bismarck. Government and healthcare economy.

Hospitals: CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck, Sanford Health Bismarck

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Bismarck locations

Long-Term Care: Bismarck nursing facilities; CHI St. Alexius, Missouri Slope

💡 Tip: Bismarck is stable market with government employment base.

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Grand Forks/Northeast (Grand Forks County)

University of North Dakota with Altru Health System. Minnesota border community.

Hospitals: Altru Hospital, Sanford Health East Grand Forks (MN)

Dialysis: DaVita Grand Forks

Long-Term Care: Grand Forks nursing facilities; Valley Senior Living, Altru

💡 Tip: Grand Forks is college town with UND medical school—academic medicine exposure.

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Western North Dakota (Williams, Ward, McKenzie Counties)

Oil patch with Trinity Health Minot and critical access hospitals. Boom-bust economy.

Hospitals: Trinity Health Minot, McKenzie County Healthcare System, CHI St. Joseph's (Dickinson)

Dialysis: Limited dialysis—patients often travel to Bismarck or Minot

Long-Term Care: Western ND nursing facilities; oil region long-term care

💡 Tip: Western ND has extreme shortages—housing assistance and high wages often available.

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 North Dakota?

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 North Dakota:

Where can I find PCT externship sites in North Dakota?
North Dakota has 36 hospitals with Sanford Health, Essentia Health, CHI St. Alexius, and Altru as major systems. Fargo has the highest concentration. DaVita and Fresenius operate 10+ dialysis centers, primarily in eastern ND.
Does North Dakota require PCT certification?
North Dakota does not require state PCT certification. AMCA PCTC is preferred by Sanford and CHI St. Alexius. CNA certification through North Dakota Board of Nursing is required for nursing homes. North Dakota is part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact.
What's North Dakota's healthcare job market like?
North Dakota has significant healthcare worker shortages throughout the state. Western ND oil patch has extreme shortages with premium wages. Sanford Health is one of the largest rural health systems in the nation. Low cost of living but extreme winters.
Can Fargo residents access Minnesota healthcare jobs?
Yes—Fargo-Moorhead is a cross-border metro. Sanford and Essentia operate on both sides of the state line. Minnesota facilities in Moorhead and the Twin Cities are accessible. This significantly expands your options.

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