Patient Care Technician

Program Description
This program prepares students to assist with the critical day-to-day care patients need. Patient care technicians are multi-skilled healthcare workers. They work under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse or health care practitioner. Patient care technicians carry out the essential basic bedside nursing functions. They come in direct contact with patients in the performance of their assigned duties. The CTE program is a hands-on experience. CTE students also receive supplementary training in EKG interpretation. Other skills include safety and security procedures, basic phlebotomy techniques and restorative skills. The latter covers prevention, self-care and independence as well as emotional support care skills.
Students in the program will apply their knowledge and skills in industry work experiences. The CTE Department may structure the field experience. This may include laboratory-based, paid or unpaid work experiences for students.
Course Content
- Introduction to Allied Health
- EKG Basics
- Phlebotomy Training
- Body Systems & Functions
- First Aid/CPR
- Nurse Assistant Skills
- Medical Ethics & Patient Rights
- Communication & Professionals in the Workplace
Business and Industry Partners
Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital · Harris Health System · Memorial Hermann Hospitals · Park Manor Humble & Cypress Station
College Partners
Legend Oaks Healthcare & Rehab Center of NW Houston
Industry Certifications
- CPR – American Heart Association
- OSHA 10 Career Safe
- Phlebotomy
- EKG – Electrocardiogram
- PCT – Patient Care Technician / Assistant
Possible Career Pathways
- Personal Care Technician
- Phlebotomist
- Medical or Nurse Assistant
- Health Care Assistant
- EKG or Medical Lab Technician
- Health Informatics Specialist
- Clinical Analyst
- Cardiovascular Technologist
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Respiratory Therapist
- Community Health Worker
- Pathologist or Forensic Scientist
- Medical Technologist
- Cytotechnologist
- Biomedical Scientist
- Clinical Research Associate
- Food Technologist
- Microbiologist
- Pharmacologist
- Physician Associate
- Research Scientist (life sciences)
- Scientific Laboratory Technician
- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Registered Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
*Median Pay Per Year
$27,510 – $110,930
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Website: bls.gov/ooh
*The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median Pay Per Year range includes occupations listed on Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Program of Study
| HS Endorsement: Business & Industry | |||
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
| Principles of Health Science | Medical Terminology | Health Science (Clinical) Anatomy & Physiology |
Practicum in Health Science Pathophysiology |