Updated:

PCT EXTERNSHIP

Patient Care Technician Externship in West Virginia

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

Patient Care Technician externship training in West Virginia

100

Hours Required

4-8

Weeks Typical

55

WV Hospitals

1,400+

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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia health systems.

💉

Dialysis Centers

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

🏠

Long-Term Care

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

PCT Externship Sites in West Virginia

Explore potential externship locations across four regions of The Mountain State

🏛️

Charleston/Kanawha Valley (Kanawha, Putnam Counties)

State capital with CAMC Health System—West Virginia's largest hospital.

Hospitals: Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC), Thomas Health, St. Francis Hospital

Dialysis: DaVita (8+ centers), Fresenius (6+ centers) Charleston area

Long-Term Care: Charleston LTC; CAMC extended care, Eldercare, Kanawha Valley

💡 Tip: CAMC is West Virginia's largest hospital with strong regional presence.

🎓

Morgantown/North Central (Monongalia, Marion Counties)

WVU with WVU Medicine—West Virginia's only academic medical center.

Hospitals: WVU Medicine Ruby Memorial Hospital, Mon Health Medical Center, Fairmont Regional Medical Center

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius North Central WV locations

Long-Term Care: Morgantown LTC; WVU Medicine, Sundale Nursing Home, Madison Center

💡 Tip: WVU Medicine is West Virginia's only academic medical center and Level I trauma.

🏭

Huntington/Southwestern (Cabell, Wayne Counties)

Marshall University with Cabell Huntington and St. Mary's Medical Center.

Hospitals: Cabell Huntington Hospital, St. Mary's Medical Center, Pleasant Valley Hospital

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Huntington locations

Long-Term Care: Huntington LTC; Cabell Huntington, Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice

💡 Tip: Huntington has Marshall University medical presence and Ohio border access.

⛰️

Eastern Panhandle/Wheeling (Berkeley, Ohio Counties)

DC suburbs (Martinsburg) and Ohio Valley (Wheeling) with WVU East and Wheeling Hospital.

Hospitals: WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Panhandle/Wheeling locations

Long-Term Care: Eastern Panhandle and Ohio Valley nursing facilities

💡 Tip: Eastern Panhandle has DC commuters; Wheeling has Pittsburgh access.

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 West Virginia?

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 West Virginia:

Where can I find PCT externship sites in West Virginia?
West Virginia has 55 hospitals with WVU Medicine, CAMC Health System, and Mon Health as major systems. Charleston and Morgantown have the highest concentration. DaVita and Fresenius operate 18+ dialysis centers statewide.
Does West Virginia require PCT certification?
West Virginia does not require state PCT certification. AMCA PCTC is preferred by WVU Medicine and CAMC. CNA certification through West Virginia Board of Examiners is required for nursing homes. West Virginia has separate RN and LPN boards.
What's West Virginia's healthcare job market like?
West Virginia has significant healthcare worker shortages throughout the state. High rates of chronic disease (diabetes, heart disease, opioid-related) create strong PCT demand. Many facilities offer sign-on bonuses and loan repayment programs.
Can West Virginia residents access neighboring state healthcare jobs?
Yes—the Eastern Panhandle accesses DC/Maryland; Wheeling accesses Pittsburgh; Huntington accesses Ohio. Many West Virginians commute to neighboring states for healthcare work. This significantly expands options beyond WV's smaller market.

Explore More Resources