Patient Care Technician Jobs in Illinois

Find Patient Care Technician jobs in Illinois. 3800+ openings, $34k-$46k salary range, top employers Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Aurora Health, OSF HealthCare. Prairie State opportunity. Free EHIRED training.

3800+
Annual Openings
$38K
Median Salary
10%
Job Growth
Self-Paced Learning
Free Online Training
Start Free Training

Start free with EHired Open Access Education. Build real-world clinical skills—vital signs, patient intake, infection control, fundamental and EKG overviews—then explore externships, jobs, and, upon completing requirements, the ability to challenge the AMCA Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC).

✓ Free enrollment • self-paced ✓ Job & externship resources ✓ Mobile-friendly learning ✓ AMCA PCTC challenge support

Who this training is for

Ideal for candidates with prior patient care experience who need certification to validate their skills for Illinois 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.

Open Access = Zero Tuition

EHired removes tuition barriers so you can explore healthcare training free. Pay only if you choose to register for a third-party certification exam.

Skills First, Not Just Test Prep

Train for real clinical workflows. When ready, you can challenge the AMCA PCTC certification once you complete requirements—our course is not presented merely as test prep.

Externships & Jobs

Use our state resources to identify externship options and entry-level roles while you study, so you can build experience.

PCT Job Market in Illinois

Illinois's healthcare industry serves the Prairie State with diverse employment opportunities. Major health systems including Northwestern Medicine and Advocate Aurora Health compete for qualified PCTs. The state offers various settings from academic medical centers to community hospitals and dialysis clinics.

Illinois's PCT job market features Northwestern Medicine as a leading employer with 200+ annual hires. Advocate Aurora Health and OSF HealthCare also compete for talent. Chicago Metro has the highest concentration with 60% of openings.

620,000
Healthcare Workers
189
Hospitals
#28
Health Ranking
94.5%
Cost of Living

PCT Clinical Skills You'll Learn

Vital Signs Patient Mobility EKG/ECG ADLs Assistance Infection Control Patient Safety Specimen Collection Patient Communication

Top PCT Job Markets in Illinois

Region Annual Openings Market Share
Chicago Metro 2280+ 60%
Rockford/Northern IL 304+ 8%
Peoria/Central IL 266+ 7%
Springfield/Downstate 228+ 6%
Champaign-Urbana 190+ 5%
Quad Cities 152+ 4%
Other Illinois 380+ 10%

PCT Salary in Illinois

Entry Level
$34K
Median Salary
$38K
Experienced
$46K

Chicago Metro typically pays highest in Illinois. Major health systems offer competitive wages with benefits. Night and weekend differentials add $2-4/hour. Certifications and experience increase earning potential significantly.

Top PCT Employers in Illinois

Illinois features major health systems competing for PCT talent:

Northwestern Medicine

Locations: Chicago/Suburban

Address: Multiple Illinois locations

Phone: (312) 926-2000

Leading Illinois health system offering excellent PCT opportunities. Comprehensive benefits package. Strong career advancement pathways. Training and development programs available.

Hires approximately 200 PCTs annually

Illinois's leading employer, comprehensive benefits, career growth.

Advocate Aurora Health

Locations: Chicago/Statewide

Address: Multiple Illinois locations

Phone: (630) 572-9393

Major Illinois healthcare provider with multiple facilities. Competitive wages and benefits. PCT positions available across service areas.

Hires approximately 250 PCTs annually

Major Illinois system, multiple locations, competitive pay.

OSF HealthCare

Locations: Central IL/Statewide

Address: Multiple Illinois locations

Phone: (309) 655-2850

Illinois healthcare organization providing quality patient care. PCT roles with growth potential. Strong team environment.

Hires approximately 120 PCTs annually

Illinois provider, quality care, team environment.

DaVita Illinois

Locations: Statewide (150+ centers)

Address: Multiple Illinois locations

Phone: (800) 244-0680

Dialysis and specialty care provider serving Illinois. PCT positions with specialized training. Consistent schedules available.

Hires approximately 120 PCTs annually

Specialty care, Illinois coverage, consistent schedules.

AMITA Health

Locations: Chicago Metro

Address: Multiple Illinois locations

Phone: (855) 264-8255

Illinois healthcare facility offering PCT positions. Competitive local wages. Strong community ties.

Hires approximately 100 PCTs annually

Local healthcare, community ties, competitive wages.

Rush University Medical

Locations: Chicago

Address: Multiple Illinois locations

Phone: (312) 942-5000

Regional Illinois healthcare provider. PCT opportunities in various clinical settings. Community-focused care.

Hires approximately 80 PCTs annually

Regional provider, community care, various settings.

Fresenius Kidney Care Illinois

Locations: Statewide dialysis centers

Address: Multiple Illinois locations

Phone: (800) 881-5101

Global dialysis leader with extensive Illinois presence. PCTs provide dialysis care statewide.

Hires approximately 95 PCTs annually

80+ centers, tuition reimbursement, excellent benefits.

Illinois VA Healthcare

Locations: VA facilities statewide

Address: VA Medical Centers, Illinois

Phone: (312) 569-8387

Veterans healthcare across Illinois. PCTs serve veteran community. Federal benefits and job security. Mission-driven environment.

Hires approximately 60 PCTs annually

Veterans healthcare, federal benefits, mission-driven.

Select Medical

Locations: Statewide dialysis centers

Address: Multiple Illinois locations

Phone: (855) 264-8255

Illinois healthcare facility offering PCT positions. Competitive local wages. Strong community ties.

Hires approximately 95 PCTs annually

Rehabilitation focus, specialty care, post-acute settings.

Illinois Community Hospitals

Locations: Statewide

Address: Multiple community locations

Phone: (312) 555-0100

Community hospitals throughout Illinois offering local PCT opportunities. Neighborhood healthcare with competitive benefits.

Hires approximately 40 PCTs annually

Community care, local hospitals, neighborhood healthcare.

PCT Career Progression in Illinois

Entry-Level PCT

$$34,000-$38,000

Vital signs, patient mobility, ADLs, basic patient care. Learning Illinois's healthcare systems and protocols.

Experienced PCT (2-3 years)

$$40,000-$44,000

Advanced patient care, EKG monitoring, phlebotomy, specialty unit skills. Growing clinical competence.

Senior PCT/Lead (3-5 years)

$$44,000-$48,000

Team coordination, new PCT training, specialized unit assignments. Leadership responsibilities emerging.

PCT Supervisor/Advancement (5+ years)

$$48,000-$54,000

Unit charge roles or transition to nursing/radiology/other healthcare advancement pathways.

PCT Success Stories from Illinois

M

Maria S.

Patient Care Technician

Northwestern Medicine, Chicago Metro

"Working at Northwestern Medicine has been amazing. The EHIRED training prepared me well, and the team is incredibly supportive. Illinois has great opportunities for healthcare workers starting their careers."

Started at $34K at Northwestern. Building PCT career in Illinois.

J

James T.

PCT - Emergency

Advocate Aurora Health, Rockford

"I chose Advocate Aurora Health for the advancement opportunities. The pay is competitive and the benefits are excellent. The Prairie State is a great place to build a healthcare career."

Earning $38K at Advocate. Pursuing nursing degree while working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PCT careers in Illinois:

What is the average PCT salary in Illinois?

Illinois PCTs earn $38K median salary. Entry-level starts around $34K. Experienced PCTs earn $46K+. Chicago Metro typically pays highest.

Who are the top PCT employers in Illinois?

Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Aurora Health, and OSF HealthCare are major employers. DaVita and Fresenius offer dialysis specialty positions statewide.

Is there demand for PCTs in Illinois?

Yes—10% job growth expected with 3800+ annual openings. Aging population and healthcare expansion drive strong demand across Illinois.

What about PCT career advancement in Illinois?

Illinois offers excellent PCT-to-RN pathways. Major health systems provide tuition assistance. Community colleges offer nursing programs with PCT experience credit.

Which Illinois region has the most PCT jobs?

Chicago Metro leads with 60% of Illinois PCT openings. Rockford/Northern IL and Peoria/Central IL also have strong markets.

How do I start a PCT career in Illinois?

Complete EHIRED free training, earn certification, then apply to Illinois employers. Northwestern Medicine and Advocate Aurora Health actively hire new PCTs.

Explore More PCT Resources

PCT Resources in Illinois

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Start Your Patient Care Career in Illinois

Illinois offers PCT careers with high wages and major system opportunities. 3800+ annual openings across the Prairie State. Free training prepares you for hands-on patient care.

Start Free PCT Training Today