PCT EXTERNSHIP
Patient Care Technician Externship in South Dakota
Your complete guide to arranging a self-managed 100-hour externship across The Mount Rushmore State. Build clinical skills, employer connections, and a pathway to employment.
100
Hours Required
4-8
Weeks Typical
48
SD Hospitals
650+
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 South 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 South Dakota, 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 South Dakota health systems.
Dialysis Centers
DaVita and Fresenius operate dialysis centers across South Dakota, offering specialized renal care experience.
Long-Term Care
Skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers throughout South Dakota provide extended patient care opportunities.
PCT Externship Sites in South Dakota
Explore potential externship locations across four regions of The Mount Rushmore State
Sioux Falls/Southeast (Minnehaha, Lincoln Counties)
South Dakota's largest city and Sanford Health headquarters. Major regional healthcare hub.
Hospitals: Sanford USD Medical Center, Avera McKennan Hospital, Sanford Children's Hospital, Avera Heart Hospital
Dialysis: DaVita (5+ centers), Fresenius (4+ centers) Sioux Falls area
Long-Term Care: Sioux Falls LTC; Sanford, Avera, Good Samaritan Society, Trail Ridge
💡 Tip: Sanford Health is headquartered in Sioux Falls—one of the largest rural health systems nationally.
Rapid City/Black Hills (Pennington, Meade Counties)
Western SD with Monument Health (formerly Regional Health). Tourism and Mount Rushmore.
Hospitals: Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Monument Health Spearfish, Sturgis Hospital
Dialysis: DaVita Rapid City
Long-Term Care: Black Hills nursing facilities; Monument Health, Westhills Village
💡 Tip: Rapid City serves the Black Hills region and has growing retiree population.
Aberdeen/Northeast (Brown, Codington Counties)
Northern SD with Avera St. Luke's and Prairie Lakes Healthcare.
Hospitals: Avera St. Luke's Hospital (Aberdeen), Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (Watertown)
Dialysis: Limited dialysis—DaVita Aberdeen
Long-Term Care: Northeast SD nursing facilities; Avera, Good Samaritan
💡 Tip: Northeast SD has significant healthcare worker shortages—facilities eager for externs.
Central/Rural South Dakota (Hughes, Davison, Beadle Counties)
Pierre (capital) and rural communities with Avera and community hospitals.
Hospitals: Avera St. Mary's Hospital (Pierre), Avera Queen of Peace (Mitchell), Huron Regional Medical Center
Dialysis: Very limited dialysis—patients travel to Sioux Falls
Long-Term Care: Rural SD nursing facilities; small-town long-term care
💡 Tip: Rural SD has extreme shortages—housing and relocation assistance 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 South Dakota?
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 South Dakota: