CVC's Patient Care Technician program: The pathway to success

Want to have a rewarding job after only one semester? Then you should consider becoming involved in the growing world of health care. Health care is the second largest industry in the United States, and Cedar Valley College's Patient Care Technician (PCT) program is the pathway that leads to a career in nursing.

Cedar Valley College's PCT program was designed out of the health care community's need for unlicensed assistive personnel to provide care to hospitalized patients. Working under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, a PCT is primarily responsible for providing direct bedside care to patients in a variety of health care settings. Students enrolled in the PCT program learn to collect blood samples, insert IV catheters, monitor blood glucose and measure and monitor EKGs. The program also provides a basic knowledge of medical terminology as it relates to the study of the body structure and function, sterile technique and various other skills necessary to care for patients in an acute care facility.

After completing the PCT program, students are eligible to take the Texas Nurse Aid Skills and Written Exam administered by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability. Passing this exam is a requirement for anyone who wishes to provide direct patient care to residents living in long term care facilities in the state of Texas. Once a student passes the exam, he/she can begin working at a hospital prior to starting nursing studies. By beginning work prior to enrolling in nursing school, students can take advantage of the paid tuition benefit that is offered by many hospitals.

If you want to learn more about the PCT program, contact Cedar Valley's Math, Science and Allied Health Division at 972-860-5211.