Patient Care Technician
Patient Care Technician
Train for a meaningful healthcare career as a Patient Care Technician without leaving Southeast Texas. LSCPA's Patient Care Technician program gives you hands-on experience providing direct patient care in hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician offices, behavioral health and outpatient laboratory settings, with skills-based training that local employers recognize and respect. You'll build practical, in-demand abilities that translate directly into better job prospects and a clear path into the nursing and allied health fields. Start your path toward a stable, rewarding future in patient care.
Top Careers as a Patient Care Technician
Earning your Patient Care Technician credential can lead to top roles in direct patient care, from Patient Care Technician, to a Phlebotomy technician, Psychiatric technician or EKG technician. to. For many, this program is the first step into the nursing field. Most professionals start in entry-level direct care, building the experience these careers demand. Working as a tech in a hospital or behavioral health center opens the door to expanded clinical roles. Many techs use this foundation to pursue further training as an LVN or RN. These first jobs give you the hands-on skills to grow into a stable, rewarding healthcare career.
LSCPA's hands-on training builds the exact skills Southeast Texas employers want, opening the door to steady, in-demand work. Nursing Assistants earn a median wage of $35,110 in Southeast Texas and $37,500 statewide, and experienced Phlebotomists can earn as much as $53,560. Entry-level positions give you a solid start, while added experience and further training as an LVN or RN can lead to higher pay and greater responsibility. With job growth projected at over 13% across Texas, it's a clear, practical route to a stable and rewarding future in patient care.
Schedule a Meeting
Shalanda Allen, LVN
Nurse Aide Program Instructor
Health & Science Building, Office 234A
Phone:409-984-6363
Email: allensr@lamarpa.edu
Eursula Davis
Program Director – Patient Care Technician/Nurse Aide
Health & Science Building, Office 113
Phone: 409-984-6364
Email: davise1@lamarpa.edu
Program Information
| Course | Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| NURA 1301 | Nurse Aide for Health Care | 3 |
| NURA 1160 | Clinical – Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide | 1 |
| HITT 1305 | Medical Terminology I | 3 |
| HPRS 1201 | Introduction to Health Professions | 2 |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOL 1322 | Nutrition and Diet Therapy | 3 |
| ECRD 1211 | Electrocardiography | 2 |
| PLAB 1223 | Phlebotomy | 2 |
| PLAB 1160 | Clinical – Phlebotomy/Phlebotomist | 1 |
| Total | 17 | |
Earning your Patient Care Technician credential at LSCPA can be the first step toward a long career in patient care, nursing, and allied health. After finishing the program, graduates can:
- Step into the workforce ready to contribute. Graduates often begin as Certified Nursing Assistants, Patient Care Assistants, Home Health Aides, or Hospice Aides — roles in steady demand at hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and home health agencies across Southeast Texas and beyond.
- Keep building on your training. Your Patient Care Technician credential can serve as a foundation for additional allied health programs, depending on the college and your goals. LSCPA offers more than 50 degrees and certificates, so you can keep adding skills and credentials at the pace that fits your life.
- Continue toward advanced nursing roles. Many patient care technicians use this experience as a stepping stone to further training, such as the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) pathway followed by the Upward Mobility LVN to ADN Nursing program, which leads to a degree as a Registered Nurse.
- Grow into higher-paying positions. As you gain experience and earn added credentials, doors open to roles like LVN or RN — careers that reward dedication with greater responsibility and stronger earning potential.
With these stackable credentials, you can earn a focused patient care credential, step into the workforce, and keep building your skills and career on a timeline that fits your goals.
What is the Patient Care Technician program at LSCPA?
The Patient Care Technician program at LSCPA trains you to provide direct, hands-on patient care in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and home health settings. The skills-based curriculum covers patient care basics, infection control and safety, monitoring vital signs, phlebotomy and lab collection, obtaining electrocardiography readings, and helping patients with daily living activities like bathing, feeding, and mobility. Built around the needs of local healthcare employers, it gives you the practical, job-ready skills that Southeast Texas hospitals and clinics know and trust.
What certifications or credentials can I earn through the Patient Care Technician program?
After completing the Patient Care Technician program, you'll be prepared to pursue credentials that qualify you for direct patient care work right away, including Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomy Technician and/or EKG Technician.. From there, you can continue to expand your career options and boost your earning potential by returning to pursue your Licensed Vocational Nurse Certificate, and ultimately your Associate Degree in Nursing right here at LSCPA.
What kind of jobs can I get with this training?
Graduates of the Patient Care Technician program may secure job opportunities at hospitals, outpatient lab centers, blood donation, or even behavioral health centers. . Common roles include Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Assistant, Phlebotomists, EKG Technicians, Home Health Aide, or Hospice Aide.
Is this program flexible for working adults?
Absolutely. The Patient Care Technician program offers flexible scheduling built around the demands of work and family, so commuters and working adults can pursue their training without putting life on hold. An advisor can help you map out a schedule that fits your goals.
How long does it take to complete the Patient Care Technician program?
The Patient Care Technician program is built to fit your life and get you working quickly. The skills-based training can often be completed in two semesters.
What is the salary potential for a Patient Care Technician?
Pay for Patient Care Technicians reflects both your setting and your experience. According to O*Net Online data, Patient Care Technicians earn a median wage of $35,110 in Southeast Texas and $37,500 statewide, and experienced Phlebotomists can earn as much as $53,560. Entry-level techs usually start near the lower end, though experienced professionals can reach closer to $37,688 annually, with added credentials like Your earnings will depend on where you work, how much experience you bring, and the credentials you hold. Because demand stays strong — with job growth projected at over 13% across Texas — added experience and further training as an LVN or RN can move you into higher-paying roles down the road.
The LSCPA Advantage
Why start your healthcare career at LSCPA? Our Patient Care Technician program puts you on a direct path into high-demand patient care roles right here in Southeast Texas. You'll build real, hands-on skills through skills-based training — caring for patients, monitoring vital signs, collecting lab specimens, obtaining electrocardiography readings, and supporting daily living needs in various healthcare settings. With small classes, experienced instructors, and strong ties to local healthcare employers, LSCPA prepares you for a job-ready career at an affordable price, with a clear path toward LVN and RN roles down the road.