Texas Southmost College graduated its latest group of Patient Care Technicians with an official pinning ceremony on Thursday, July 18 at TSC’s International Technology, Education, and Commerce Center (ITECC).
Twelve students were honored as part of the ceremony, including remarks from TSC Trustee Edward Camarillo, VP of External Relations, and Patient Care Technician Instructor Michael Simon. In addition to graduating from the course, the twelve students also have the distinction of their graduating class receiving a 100% pass rate on their certification exams.
After brief congratulatory comments, Simon led the graduates in reciting the Nightingale Pledge, an oath that new nurses swore 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 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. “They are the eyes and ears of the nurses, but they are also the voice of their patients.”
The students who participated in the PCT program gained important hands-on experience by conducting their clinical rotations at Valley Regional Medical Hospital, where they could put into practice what they had been learning in the classroom portion of their studies. They also gained experience in other aspects of work in the medical field, such as practicing how to build rapport with the patients under their care, allowing them to provide both medical and emotional support to those who are enduring the recovery process.
Because of the diversity of skills they develop, PCTs have 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.
Newly certified PCT Elisha Garcia is already looking forward to taking the next step in her educational journey. “I want to continue with nursing and get into the Registered Nursing program,” she said. “I feel like I learned a lot during my time in this program. The instructors are amazing, and they were always there to help me if I was having trouble with something.”
Summer II 2024 Patient Care Technician Graduates
Cyndi Arambul
Nubia Chapa
Isla del Castillo
Brianna Gamboa
Elisha L. Garcia
Vanessa Gercia
Azeneth Garza
Raine A. Guevara
Rebecca S. Leal
Olympia M. Montoya
Angela Ramon
Alejandra Oya Zenteno
Texas Southmost College PCT Pinning Ceremony
The latest group of graduates from TSC’s Patient Care Technician program earned the distinction of a 100% pass rate on their PCT certification exams, making their ceremony all the more memorable.
Texas Southmost College PCT Pinning Ceremony
The latest group of graduates from TSC’s Patient Care Technician program earned the distinction of a 100% pass rate on their PCT certification exams, making their ceremony all the more memorable.
Texas Southmost College PCT Pinning Ceremony
The latest group of graduates from TSC’s Patient Care Technician program earned the distinction of a 100% pass rate on their PCT certification exams, making their ceremony all the more memorable.
Texas Southmost College PCT Pinning Ceremony
The latest group of graduates from TSC’s Patient Care Technician program earned the distinction of a 100% pass rate on their PCT certification exams, making their ceremony all the more memorable.
Texas Southmost College PCT Pinning Ceremony
The latest group of graduates from TSC’s Patient Care Technician program earned the distinction of a 100% pass rate on their PCT certification exams, making their ceremony all the more memorable.
Texas Southmost College PCT Pinning Ceremony
The latest group of graduates from TSC’s Patient Care Technician program earned the distinction of a 100% pass rate on their PCT certification exams, making their ceremony all the more memorable.
Texas Southmost College PCT Pinning Ceremony
The latest group of graduates from TSC’s Patient Care Technician program earned the distinction of a 100% pass rate on their PCT certification exams, making their ceremony all the more memorable.
Texas Southmost College PCT Pinning Ceremony
The latest group of graduates from TSC’s Patient Care Technician program earned the distinction of a 100% pass rate on their PCT certification exams, making their ceremony all the more memorable.
Texas Southmost College PCT Pinning Ceremony
The latest group of graduates from TSC’s Patient Care Technician program earned the distinction of a 100% pass rate on their PCT certification exams, making their ceremony all the more memorable.
Texas Southmost College PCT Pinning Ceremony
The latest group of graduates from TSC’s Patient Care Technician program earned the distinction of a 100% pass rate on their PCT certification exams, making their ceremony all the more memorable.
Texas Southmost College PCT Pinning Ceremony
The latest group of graduates from TSC’s Patient Care Technician program earned the distinction of a 100% pass rate on their PCT certification exams, making their ceremony all the more memorable.
