Patient Care Technician Jobs in Iowa

Find Patient Care Technician jobs in Iowa. 1100+ openings, $30k-$42k salary range, top employers UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, University of Iowa Health. Hawkeye State opportunity. Free EHIRED training.

1100+
Annual Openings
$34K
Median Salary
9%
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 Iowa 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 Iowa

Iowa's healthcare industry serves the Hawkeye State with diverse employment opportunities. Major health systems including UnityPoint Health and MercyOne compete for qualified PCTs. The state offers various settings from academic medical centers to community hospitals and dialysis clinics.

Iowa's PCT job market features UnityPoint Health as a leading employer with 120+ annual hires. MercyOne and University of Iowa Health also compete for talent. Des Moines Metro has the highest concentration with 35% of openings.

175,000
Healthcare Workers
118
Hospitals
#16
Health Ranking
89.0%
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 Iowa

Region Annual Openings Market Share
Des Moines Metro 385+ 35%
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City 220+ 20%
Quad Cities (IA side) 132+ 12%
Sioux City/Western IA 99+ 9%
Waterloo/Cedar Falls 88+ 8%
Dubuque 55+ 5%
Other Iowa 121+ 11%

PCT Salary in Iowa

Entry Level
$30K
Median Salary
$34K
Experienced
$42K

Des Moines Metro typically pays highest in Iowa. 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 Iowa

Iowa features major health systems competing for PCT talent:

UnityPoint Health

Locations: Des Moines/Statewide

Address: Multiple Iowa locations

Phone: (515) 241-6161

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

Hires approximately 120 PCTs annually

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

MercyOne

Locations: Des Moines/Statewide

Address: Multiple Iowa locations

Phone: (515) 358-9600

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

Hires approximately 110 PCTs annually

Major Iowa system, multiple locations, competitive pay.

University of Iowa Health

Locations: Iowa City

Address: Multiple Iowa locations

Phone: (319) 356-1616

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

Hires approximately 80 PCTs annually

Iowa provider, quality care, team environment.

DaVita Iowa

Locations: Statewide (45+ centers)

Address: Multiple Iowa locations

Phone: (800) 244-0680

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

Hires approximately 80 PCTs annually

Specialty care, Iowa coverage, consistent schedules.

Mercy Medical Center

Locations: Cedar Rapids

Address: Multiple Iowa locations

Phone: (319) 398-6011

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

Hires approximately 35 PCTs annually

Local healthcare, community ties, competitive wages.

Genesis Health System

Locations: Quad Cities

Address: Multiple Iowa locations

Phone: (563) 421-1000

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

Hires approximately 40 PCTs annually

Regional provider, community care, various settings.

Fresenius Kidney Care Iowa

Locations: Statewide dialysis centers

Address: Multiple Iowa locations

Phone: (800) 881-5101

Global dialysis leader with Iowa presence. PCTs provide dialysis care throughout the state.

Hires approximately 27 PCTs annually

25+ centers, tuition reimbursement, quality of life.

Iowa VA Healthcare

Locations: VA facilities statewide

Address: VA Medical Centers, Iowa

Phone: (515) 699-5999

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

Hires approximately 18 PCTs annually

Veterans healthcare, federal benefits, mission-driven.

Select Medical

Locations: Statewide dialysis centers

Address: Multiple Iowa locations

Phone: (319) 398-6011

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

Hires approximately 27 PCTs annually

Rehabilitation focus, specialty care, post-acute settings.

Iowa Community Hospitals

Locations: Statewide

Address: Multiple community locations

Phone: (515) 555-0100

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

Hires approximately 15 PCTs annually

Community care, local hospitals, neighborhood healthcare.

PCT Career Progression in Iowa

Entry-Level PCT

$$30,000-$34,000

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

Experienced PCT (2-3 years)

$$36,000-$40,000

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

Senior PCT/Lead (3-5 years)

$$40,000-$44,000

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

PCT Supervisor/Advancement (5+ years)

$$44,000-$50,000

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

PCT Success Stories from Iowa

M

Maria S.

Patient Care Technician

UnityPoint Health, Des Moines Metro

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

Started at $30K at UnityPoint. Building PCT career in Iowa.

J

James T.

PCT - Emergency

MercyOne, Cedar Rapids

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

Earning $34K at MercyOne. Pursuing nursing degree while working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PCT careers in Iowa:

What is the average PCT salary in Iowa?

Iowa PCTs earn $34K median salary. Entry-level starts around $30K. Experienced PCTs earn $42K+. Des Moines Metro typically pays highest.

Who are the top PCT employers in Iowa?

UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and University of Iowa Health are major employers. DaVita and Fresenius offer dialysis specialty positions statewide.

Is there demand for PCTs in Iowa?

Yes—9% job growth expected with 1100+ annual openings. Aging population and healthcare expansion drive strong demand across Iowa.

What about PCT career advancement in Iowa?

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

Which Iowa region has the most PCT jobs?

Des Moines Metro leads with 35% of Iowa PCT openings. Cedar Rapids/Iowa City and Quad Cities (IA side) also have strong markets.

How do I start a PCT career in Iowa?

Complete EHIRED free training, earn certification, then apply to Iowa employers. UnityPoint Health and MercyOne actively hire new PCTs.

Explore More PCT Resources

PCT Resources in Iowa

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PCT Jobs Nearby

Start Your Patient Care Career in Iowa

Iowa offers PCT careers with high wages and major system opportunities. 1100+ annual openings across the Hawkeye State. Free training prepares you for hands-on patient care.

Start Free PCT Training Today