Texas Southmost College’s Patient Care Technician Graduates Look Forward to a Future in Healthcare

Texas Southmost College proudly celebrated the graduation of its newest group of Patient Care Technicians with an official pinning ceremony on Thursday, June 13 at TSC’s International Technology, Education, and Commerce Center (ITECC).

Seven students were honored during the ceremony, which included remarks from TSC President Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez, VP of External Relations and Workforce Development Mr. Richard Mesquias, and Patient Care Technician Instructor Michael Simon.

As part of the ceremony, TSC Associates Degree Nursing Instructor Elizabeth Lugo led the graduates in the recitation of the Nightingale Pledge, an oath taken by new nurses in which they swear to uphold the ethics and principles that define the nursing profession as a whole.

Today, Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) are increasingly in-demand within the medical field. PCTs begin their training by learning the same general skills of a nursing assistant, but the overall diversity of their skill set is continually expanded upon in order to provide them with more experience in an array of different areas and tasks.

Most often working directly under a registered nurse, PCTs can handle tasks which typically include monitoring patient vital signs, helping collect and prepare lab specimens, and in some cases can even lending assistance in minor surgical procedures by preparing sterile trays or performing sterilization procedures for surgical instruments.

“The role of a PCT has evolved over the last few years into its own individual role,” said Simon. “It’s an exciting advancement that has benefitted the healthcare field through the expansion of skills and level of expertise that a PCT can provide to their team.”

The students who participated in the PCT program were able to gain hands-on experience by conducting their clinical rotations at Valley Regional Medical Hospital, where they had the invaluable opportunity to put into practice what they had been learning in the classroom portion of their studies. They also gained experience in the more nuanced aspects of work in the medical field, with one such example being the ability to build a rapport with the patients under their care, allowing them to provide both medical and emotional support to those who are enduring the recovery process.

This diversity of skills allows them the flexibility to be able to secure work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. In some cases, PCTs will continue their studies in order to further broaden their skill set or specialize in a specific area of practice. Kimberly Martinez, who is among the graduating group, is one such example. “Now that I’ve passed my state exam and become a certified PCT, I want to keep moving forward and eventually become certified as a registered nurse,” she confidently stated.

Summer I 2024 PCT Graduates: Naylea Acosta, Lyliel Aguirre, Dalia Garcia, Jessica Hernandez, Kimberly Martinez, Carolina Preza, John Weston Silguero.