(Level I Certificate)
El Centro campus only
- Students pursuing this certificate are waived from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards, but must meet course prerequisites.
- Complete at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College.
Degree Plan Code: C1.VN.PATCARE.TCH.23
The Patient Care Technician (PCT) Program is a certificate that prepares students for employment as a Patient Care Technician. The PCT Program provides didactic instruction and lab experience in the healthcare workforce skills of wellness theory, attitude development, the impact of cultural beliefs, patient care skills, safety issues, patient monitoring, health documentation, the management concepts necessary for effective health profession operations, pathology and general management of diseases and injuries across the lifespan.
Students will also learn the pharmacological principles of drug classifications, actions, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, and routes of administration as well as the calculation of dosages. Graduates will be able to perform head-to-toe body systems assessments, perform EKG’s and identify basic arrhythmias, perform venipuncture and I.V. starts and management, handle medical records, apply basic first aid skills, utilize Universal Precautions and develop a written patient teaching plan.
This credential results in the acquisition of Patient Care Technician workforce skills for graduates of the program and prepares candidates for successful completion of the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant exam (CPCT/A). Successful completion of the CPCT/A exam will result in the candidate’s eligibility to use the title Certified Patient Care Technician. The NHA is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.