Patient Care Technician

Patient Care Assistant

Occupational Skills Award

This Award is perfect for students interested in a career in health care or in caring for a loved one at home.

This program prepares students for certification as a Nurse Aide (qualify to take the Prometric exam and be placed on the Texas Department of Health Services Nurse Aide registry). Students are provided with skills and knowledge to care for residents in long-term care. NURA 1401 and NURA 1160 transfer into the Patient Care Technician program.

Patient Care Technician

Certificate

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) Certificate is a 16‑credit‑hour program designed for students who want to start a career in healthcare and gain hands‑on experience right away. You’ll learn the essential skills needed to care for adults, children, infants, and older adults in both long‑term care and hospital settings.

Today’s healthcare field is growing quickly, and trained Patient Care Technicians are in high demand. Modern long‑term care focuses on helping residents reach their highest level of physical, mental, and emotional well‑being — and that requires knowledgeable, well‑trained caregivers. This program prepares you to be part of that team.

As part of the certificate, you’ll earn your Nurse Aide certification and receive three additional professional certificates in Alzheimer’s care.

After passing the Nurse Aide Competency Examination, you’ll move into more advanced skills, including phlebotomy, EKG, and monitor technician training. These skills open doors to a wide range of careers in hospitals, nursing homes, home health, and hospice care.

Before graduation, students take the National Healthcareer Association certification exams for:
Patient Care Technician
Phlebotomist
EKG Technician

This program is a strong option for students who want a fast, career‑focused path into healthcare or a foundation for future nursing or medical studies.

Program Entry Requirements

Patient Care Technician

1. Participate in the required Prospective Student Information Session at the Health Science Professions Campus. For the session schedule, visit the Patient Care Technician Program website at https://www.southtexascollege.edu/patient-care.
2. Be admitted to the college as a high school graduate or GED equivalent, except for dual credit students.
3. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for all courses completed at STC.
4. Pass a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen through approved providers, and complete all required immunizations including Hepatitis B series. For more information on these requirements, access the Clinical Affairs website: https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/clinical_affairs.html.
5. Meet the HSP Functional Abilities Standards available on the HSP Clinical Affairs website at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/clinical_affairs.html

Program Application

Please contact the PCA Advisor at 956-872-3052 for additional information or an appointment with the program advisor.

NOTE: Please see the program web page for additional information regarding the application process at https://www.southtexascollege.edu/patient-care.

Graduation Requirements

To earn the Patient Care Technician Certificate, a student must meet all college graduation requirements and complete all coursework as prescribed in the degree plan with a minimum grade of 78%.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates will demonstrate basic and advanced nursing skills, provision of activities of daily living, and advanced dementia care.
2. Students will obtain three CARES® Dementia Certificates
3. Students will obtain the Texas Nurse Aide Certificate.
4. Graduates will demonstrate adherence to infection control in the delivery of patient care.
5. Graduates will obtain the National Healthcareer Patient Care Technician Certificate (CPCT/A)
6. Graduates will obtain the National Healthcareer Phlebotomy Certificate (CPT)
7. Graduates will obtain the National Healthcareer Electrocardiogram Certificate (CET)

Advisory Committee Members

Mariam Hammad, RN, Chief Nursing Officer-Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
Alfred Mascorro, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Rio Grande Regional Hospital
Frank Tostado, RN, Director of Nursing Services, McAllen Transitional Care
Romeo Valladares, RN, Administrator, Presidente Home Care, Inc.
Cesar Guerra, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Prime Healthcare, Mission Regional Medical Center
Lorda Tauli, RN, Project Director of Clinical Education Coordination-South Texas Health Systems
Martha Torres, RN, Director of Nursing, Starr County Memorial Hospital

Ex-Officio Members

Elizabeth Hernandez, Program Developer & Coordinator, Continuing Education Operations, South Texas College
Maggie Handy, RN - Assistant Chair, South Texas College
Margo Ayala DNP, RN, VN - Program Chair, South Texas College
Marino Alfred Acevedo, PhD, RN ADN Program Chair, ADN
Annette Wingate DNP, RN - Program Chair, RN-to-BSN Program
Sharon Rice RN – Program Chair, PCT
Nora Martinez, DNP, RN, FNP-BC - Assistant Chair, South Texas College

Occupational Skills Award

• Patient Care Assistant Occupational Skills Award

Certificate

• Patient Care Technician Certificate

Patient Care Assistant Occupational Skills Award

TSI Exempt

Patient Care Technician Certificate

TSI Exempt