SWTJC offers new Patient Care Technician Program

(Press Release) – Employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, adding about 2.4 million new jobs, according to the US Department of Labor.

To meet the high demand for healthcare jobs, Southwest Texas Junior College will launch the new Patient Care Technician (PCT) Program at the beginning of the Fall 2018 semester.

The (PCT) Program offers students the opportunity to acquire three national certifications and one state certification under one program.

Certifications include certified phlebotomy technician (CPT), certified medical assistant (CMA) and certified electrocardiogram technician (CET) through the National Healthcareer Association. The certified nurse assistant (CNA) will be certified by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.

The PCT Program will only be available in Uvalde with plans to expand to Eagle Pass and Del Rio by the fall of 2019.

Classes will be held Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the second section running from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Students are required to participate in clinical rotations at hospitals or nursing homes.

“Students are required to be 18 years old or older and must have a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma to enter the program,” said JJ Suarez, Allied Health and Human Services Division Chair.

Suarez added, “The two major advantages of this program are, the program is now covered by Pell Grants, which is was not before, and a student can acquire four certifications under one program.”

According to Suarez, previously the four programs were offered separately through the Workforce Training & Development Division and were not covered by Pell Grants.

Individuals can contact Isabel Alvarez, program coordinator at 830-591-7219 for more information on the PCT Program.