PCT EXTERNSHIP
Patient Care Technician Externship in Washington
Your complete guide to arranging a self-managed 100-hour externship across The Evergreen State. Build clinical skills, employer connections, and a pathway to employment.
100
Hours Required
4-8
Weeks Typical
88
WA Hospitals
5,200+
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 Washington 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 Washington, 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 Washington health systems.
Dialysis Centers
DaVita and Fresenius operate dialysis centers across Washington, offering specialized renal care experience.
Long-Term Care
Skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers throughout Washington provide extended patient care opportunities.
PCT Externship Sites in Washington
Explore potential externship locations across four regions of The Evergreen State
Seattle/Puget Sound (King, Snohomish, Pierce Counties)
Pacific Northwest hub with UW Medicine, Virginia Mason, Swedish, and major tech employers.
Hospitals: UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle Children's
Dialysis: DaVita (35+ centers), Fresenius (25+ centers) Puget Sound—DaVita headquarters region
Long-Term Care: Seattle area LTC; Providence, Virginia Mason, Transforming Age, Era Living
💡 Tip: Seattle has Amazon, Microsoft healthcare demand plus UW academic medicine.
Spokane/Eastern Washington (Spokane, Whitman Counties)
Second-largest city with Providence and MultiCare. Serves Inland Northwest.
Hospitals: Providence Sacred Heart, MultiCare Deaconess, Providence Holy Family, Pullman Regional Hospital
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Spokane locations
Long-Term Care: Spokane LTC; Providence, Rockwood, Spokane Veterans Home
💡 Tip: Spokane is more affordable than Seattle with solid healthcare market.
Vancouver/Southwest Washington (Clark, Cowlitz Counties)
Portland suburbs with PeaceHealth and Legacy Emanuel access.
Hospitals: PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, Legacy Salmon Creek, PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center (Longview)
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Southwest Washington locations
Long-Term Care: Vancouver area nursing facilities; PeaceHealth, Prestige Care
💡 Tip: Vancouver WA is part of Portland metro—Oregon facilities accessible.
Central/Rural Washington (Yakima, Benton, Walla Walla Counties)
Agricultural region with Virginia Mason Memorial and Kadlec Regional.
Hospitals: Virginia Mason Memorial (Yakima), Kadlec Regional Medical Center (Richland), Providence St. Mary (Walla Walla)
Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Central Washington locations
Long-Term Care: Central Washington nursing facilities; agricultural community care
💡 Tip: Central Washington has significant healthcare worker shortages—bilingual Spanish valuable.
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 Washington?
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 Washington: