Patient Care Technician

The Patient Care Technician, also known as a PCT, Level 3, is a nationally recognized certification for certified nurse aides with phlebotomy and EKG training. Preparation from licensure/certification.

Students taking health certificate programs that have direct contact with patients may be required to meet or obtain the following:• Proof of completion of Hepatitis B vaccine series

• Criminal Background Check
• Drug Screening
• CPR Certification for Healthcare Provider or Professional Rescuer
• Hospital scrubs and student identification badge
• Flu Shot
• Current immunizations: Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (TDAP), Measles, Mumps, Rubella, negative TB Skin Test or chest X-ray, Chicken Pox (Varicella), Hepatitis B series.

• The Patient Care Technician, also known as a PCT, level 3, is a nationally recognized name for certified nurse aides with phlebotomy and EKG training. The healthcare career ladder is structured so that there may be a salary increase for each skill added to the basic certified nurse aid training.
• The PCT certificate is offered for HCC students who complete the Certified Nurse Aide, Phlebotomy, and ECG Lab 1 (12-Lead Fundamentals) programs/classes.

Patient Care Technician Curriculum-

NURA 1001 Certified Nurse Aide, 96 hours

Current CNA licensure accepted in lieu of NURA 1001

PLAB 1023 Phlebotomy, 96 hours
PLAB 1060 Phlebotomy Clinical, 120 hours
ECRD 1091 ECG 12-Lead Fundamentals, 32 hours

Please attend a Patient Care Technician Info Session to learn how to apply to this program and determine if funding is available

• There is no funding from the following sources for individual courses, but TPEG is sometimes available for PCT program for qualified applicants:
  • TPEG or HCC grants.
  • PELL grant funds will not apply directly to continuing education classes.

• Online Payment Plans available.  Nonrefundable service fee is $30.
• Pay 50% at registration; pay remaining before end of class.
• Receipts must be shown to Instructor the first class day.

(after permission has been granted for phlebotomy students by Virginia Thomas or Angie Moreno)

• On-Line application/registration at www.hccs.edu. Click on “Admission & Registration Center.” Choose “Continuing Education Student,” or
• Complete and sign an HCC Continuing Education Enrollment Form (copy of form is the last page in this packet)
  • Bring it to any HCC campus registration office
  • Pay tuition and fees at the time of registration
    to prevent being dropped for nonpayment. Checks, credit cards, cash or money order are accepted.

• Perfect attendance is recommended.
• 80% attendance is required, with all assignments, exams, and lab competencies completed.
• You are allowed (2) two absences during the clinical portion, which must be made up.

• Southeast College - 6815 Rustic, 77087   (45 & Woodridge)                                            
• Alief Bissonnet – 13803 Bissonnet, 77083

Students with documented disabilities may arrange reasonable accommodations by contacting the Disability Services Office at the respective college. 

• Southeast college: 713.718.7218
• Northwest college: 713.718.5604

The following are requirements that must be submitted by the due date given by the clinical instructor.

 Students who have not submitted all required documents by requested date may be required to repeat a lecture/lab class for clinical eligibility.

• Criminal Background Check for students through Precheck, approximately $53.50. www.precheck.com.
• Drug Screen through Lab Corp, $35

You must use the form which will be provided by your instructor.

• CPR, Healthcare Provider (offered by American Heart Asso.) or CPR for the Professional Rescuer (offered by American Red Cross, Medic First Aid, or ASHI) ~$40
• Photocopy of Student ID

Submit during your first week of class.

• Uniform scrubs must be worn during clinical and class
• Current immunizations (see below) 

Successful students have the following attributes:

• Strong critical reading skills: college level reading is advised.
• Great Attendance: attend more than 80% of classes
• Spend time outside of class studying and completing assignments: For every hour spent in class, a successful student will spend 1-2 hours outside of class. This can be 5 – 20 hours in addition to the time spent in class. 

High compliance to classroom/clinical requirements:

• No fragrances allowed in class or clinical;
• Wear scrubs;
• Cell phones turned off;
• No food/drink in classroom/lab except bottled water;
• No artificial nails or polish: maximum length of nails is 1/8 inch;
• No hats;
• No jewelry: wristwatch and one ring allowed. One set of earrings allowed. Facial piercings must not have visible ornamentation;
• Fully participate in all lab and class activities. Phlebotomy students perform multiple venipunctures on each other throughout the course. EKG lab students perform multiple ekgs on each other.
• Submit all required clinical documents by the due date given by the clinical instructor.
• Complete all payments by last class date.