Patient Care Assistant
Occupational Skills Award
This Award is perfect for students interested in a career as a health care provider or caring for a loved one at home.
This program prepares students for certification as a Nurse Aide (qualify to test with Prometric to be placed on the Texas Dept. of Health Services registry for Nurse Aides). 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
This is a 16 credit hour certificate program that offers classroom instruction and related clinical practice in the basic nursing care of adults, children, infants and the elderly. The need for qualified Patient Care Technicians in long-term care and acute care settings is growing at a tremendous rate. The philosophy of care for residents in long-term care facilities has changed from one of custodial care to an implementation of restorative, person centered care in which the resident is assisted to reach an optimal potential for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This care can only be provided by knowledgeable and educated health care providers. In addition to certification as a Nurse Aide, students will also attain three professional certificates for Alzheimer's care.
After successful completion of the Nurse Aide Competency Examination, students will focus on acute care and specialized patient care. Entry-level skills in phlebotomy, EKG, and monitor technician are included. Students are prepared to work the many fields available to them such as home health, hospitals, nursing homes and hospice agencies.
Students take the National Healthcareer Association certification examinations for Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomist and EKG technician before graduation.
Program Entry Requirements
PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN
- Participate in the required Prospective Student Information Session at the Nursing & Allied Health Campus. For the session schedule, access the information on the Patient Care Technician Program website online at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/pca/.
- Be admitted to the college as a high school graduate or GED equivalent, except for dual credit students.
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for all courses completed at STC.
- 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.
Meet the NAH Functional Abilities Standards available on the NAH Clinical Affairs website at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/clinical_affairs.html
Program Application
Please contact the PCA Program office at 956-872-3192 for additional information or appointment with program faculty.
NOTE: Please see program web page for additional information regarding the application process at
https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/pca/.
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. Students will demonstrate basic nursing skills, provision of activities of daily living, and advanced dementia care.
2. Students will demonstrate adherence to ethical principles and legal guidelines in the delivery of patient care.
3. Students will obtain certification in Texas Nurse Aide, Phlebotomy, EKG technician and Patient Care Technician.
Advisory Committee Members
Kathy Dassler, MS, RN - Chief Nursing Officer, Rio Grande Regional Hospital
Kennetha Foster, MSN, RN - Chief Nursing Officer, South Texas Health System - McAllen Medical Center
Nancy Garcia, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CMOM, CMCO, Chief Nursing Officer, DHR Health System
Alfred Mascorro, VP of Quality- Rio Grande Regional Hospital
Frank Tostado, RN Director of Nursing Services - Legends- McAllen Transitional Care
Romeo Valladares, RN- Administrator, Presidente Home Care, Inc.
Macario Villarreal, RN - Director of Nursing, Retama Manor
Cesar E Guerra, RN- Chief Nursing officer, Mission Regional Medical Center
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
