Working as a PCT offers a great entry point into nursing or the healthcare field, as it provides valuable experience with medical procedures and patient care.
Lear how to get started.
Education & Training
The online courses below are convenient way to achieve certification.
How Will This Program Help Me?
The course is designed to help you pass one of the certification exams below. You can choose which one to take.
NHA’s Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A)
or
AMCA’s Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC)
The price includes a voucher for the exam.
How Long Does it Take?
350 course hours, or about 12 months depending on your pace of study. You may enroll at anytime.
How Much Does it Cost?
The online courses above cost $2,800. If needed, you may apply for financing and pay on a monthly basis.
What Will You Study?
Your instructor will teach you about the following:
- Medical terminology
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Communication and health occupation professionalism
- Pharmacology
- Fundamentals of direct patient care
- How care is delivered as a PCT
- The PCT within a healthcare team setting
- Patient transfer techniques
- Certification preparation
From the Classroom to an Externship
Students study these topics in traditional classroom settings, then practice their skills on medical mannequins in on-site labs. From there, they’ll need to complete clinical rotations during externships at local clinics and hospitals to gain hands-on experience working with real patients.
Other Local Trade School Programs
- Alvin
- El Paso
- Dallas
- Houston, Missouri City, Stafford
- Arlington
- Grand Prairie
- Houston
- Forth Worth, Garland, Houston, Webster
- Fort Worth
- Arlington
- Weatherford, Bridgeport
Alvin Community College (Rating: 4.3 out 5)
Alvin Community College’s Patient Care Technician (PCT) program offers a hybrid curriculum that combines three certifications—Phlebotomy, EKG Technician, and Patient Care Technician—into one comprehensive training path. Students complete 96 hours of instruction and, upon finishing each course, are eligible to sit for certification exams through the National Health Career Association. The total program cost is approximately $3,800, with admission open to individuals 18 and older who meet health and technical requirements.
Cultural Technical Institute, LLC. (Rating: 4.7 out 5)
Cultural Technical Institute’s Patient Care Technician program is a 12‑week, certification-focused course that prepares students for direct patient care roles in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings. The training includes phlebotomy, EKG, emergency response, infection control, and CPR, combining classroom learning with hands-on practice. Graduates become eligible for nationally recognized certifications such as NCPT (NCCT), CPCT/A (NHA), and MEDCA’s Patient Care Technician credential, boosting employability in the growing healthcare field.
Dallas College (Rating: 2.4 out 5)
Houston Community College (Rating: 3.8 out 5)
The PCT Level 3 certification is a nationally recognized credential for certified nurse aides, incorporating phlebotomy and EKG training. The program includes courses such as Certified Nurse Aide, EKG Lab, Phlebotomy, and Phlebotomy Clinical . This comprehensive training prepares students for licensure and certification in patient care, making them eligible for TPEG funding.
IDTC Career Center (Rating: 4.9 out 5)
IDTC Career Center’s Patient Care Technician program can be completed in as little as 6 months and equips students with practical skills in vital signs monitoring, EKGs, laboratory procedures, and phlebotomy. The program includes both classroom instruction and a hands-on externship at off-campus medical facilities, preparing graduates for certification and employment in settings such as hospitals, dialysis clinics, and long-term care facilities. Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
Lincoln Tech (Rating: 3.9 out 5)
Lone Star College (Rating: 3.9 out 5)
The non-credit fast track Patient Care Technician program at LSC-North Harris prepares students for the TDADS Nurse Aide State Exam and the National Healthcare Association (NHA) exam. This program equips students with the necessary skills for competency testing and certification by various national healthcare organizations.
Remington College (Rating: 3.1 out 5)
Tarrant County College (Rating: 4.5 out 5)
University of Texas Continuing Education (Rating: 3.8 out 5)
Weatherford College (Rating: 4.2 out 5)
Weatherford College’s Patient Care Technician program equips students with 80 contact hours of hands-on training across two courses, preparing them for entry-level roles in hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers. Upon completion, students earn 8.0 CEUs and are eligible to sit for the NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) exam. While the program does not qualify for FAFSA, scholarships and grants may be available, and applicants must meet healthcare-specific requirements including immunizations, CPR certification, and a background check.
Texas PCT Requirements
Patient care technicians are essentially nursing assistants with phlebotomy and EKG training. As such, you’ll need to be a certified nursing assistant before you can qualify for patient care technician jobs in Texas.
Licensing Requirements
The state’s Health and Human Services Commission regulates CNA licenses in Texas. To obtain your CNA credential, you’ll need to take the following steps:
- Show proof of identity, certifying that you are at least 18 years of age
- Show successful completion of an approved nurse’s aide training course
- Pass a competency exam through the Prometric website
If you plan on working in a nursing home or other skilled nursing facility, you can also apply for placement on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry (NAR).
Additional Certifications
Most employers in Texas require their patient care techs to have an official Basic Life Support credential from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Some schools include this certification in their standard curriculum. You can also find classes on the Red Cross and AHA websites.
BLS Credential
Obtaining a BLS credential shows your certification and competency in:
- CPR
- First Aid
- AED
Certified Patient Care Technician
You might also consider getting a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) credential from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Although this is an optional certification, it might make it easier to find patient care jobs in Texas.
To be eligible for this credential, you’ll need to have:
- A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- A certificate or degree from an accredited patient care tech program OR at least one year of supervised patient care experience
Salaries in TX
How Much Money Can You Make?
Per Indeed.com, average patient salary in the state is $46,808.
It is worth comparing that number to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which says that average salary is $35,370.
Below is some more data from the BLS for parts of the state.
| Area | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $14.96 | $31,120.00 |
| Amarillo | $16.36 | $34,030.00 |
| Austin-Round Rock | $17.87 | $37,180.00 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | $15.52 | $32,280.00 |
| Big Thicket | $16.24 | $33,780.00 |
| Border Region | $15.00 | $31,200.00 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | $13.92 | $28,950.00 |
| Coastal Plains | $15.47 | $32,170.00 |
| College Station-Bryan | $16.48 | $34,280.00 |
| Corpus Christi | $16.15 | $33,580.00 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $18.17 | $37,790.00 |
| El Paso | $15.40 | $32,030.00 |
| Hill Country | $15.43 | $32,090.00 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $17.60 | $36,600.00 |
| Killeen-Temple | $16.42 | $34,160.00 |
| Laredo | $13.84 | $28,790.00 |
| Longview | $16.10 | $33,490.00 |
| Lubbock | $15.34 | $31,910.00 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $14.61 | $30,380.00 |
| Midland | $18.11 | $37,660.00 |
| North Texas | $15.84 | $32,940.00 |
| Odessa | $16.91 | $35,170.00 |
| San Angelo | $15.58 | $32,410.00 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $16.99 | $35,350.00 |
| Sherman-Denison | $15.83 | $32,920.00 |
| Texarkana | $14.86 | $30,910.00 |
| Tyler | $15.60 | $32,450.00 |
| Victoria | $15.72 | $32,690.00 |
| Waco | $16.61 | $34,560.00 |
| West Texas | $15.41 | $32,050.00 |
| Wichita Falls | $16.26 | $33,810.00 |
Occupation: Nursing Assistants (SOC Code311131)
source: data.bls.gov
Specializing in a particular area of the medical field, such as urgent care, pediatrics, labor and delivery, or oncology, might provide higher salaries than those performing general patient care duties in a hospital or long-term care facility.
Job Description
What Do They Do?
As the job title suggests, patient care technicians in TX provide direct care for patients in various medical and healthcare facilities.
Workday duties for these allied health professionals typically include:
- Monitoring patients’ vital signs
- Changing bandages and providing basic wound care
- Assisting patients with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, and eating
- Collecting fluid samples and specimens
- Administering injections and oral medications
Other Career to PCT
Many patient care technicians in TX start out in other allied health professions, such as:
- Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
- Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
- Phlebotomists
- EKG Technicians
- Medical Assistants
Employees in these positions perform a few patient care tech tasks as part of their regular workday duties. However, they need to develop additional abilities to round out their skill sets and qualify for patient care technician jobs in Texas.
Hands-On Instruction
Depending on which skills you need to learn, your employer may offer hands-on instruction on standard patient care practices like:
- Bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding patients
- Drawing blood and collecting fluid samples
- Operating EKG equipment
- Administering medication
- Catheter care
- Transferring patients to and from beds, chairs, and examination tables
Career Outlook
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics places patient care technicians in the Nursing Assistants and Orderlies category. Professionals in this field are likely to see a five-percent growth rate in the demand for patient care tech jobs over the next decade. Qualifying patient care technicians in TX can take advantage of this increase by applying for well-paying positions in their areas.