clinical Program
Patient Care Technician
Deliver compassionate care under supervision of nurses and physicians.
12–16 weeks · Hybrid · Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC)
Duration
12–16 weeks
Schedule
Day & Evening
Learning Format
Hybrid
Certification
Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC)
Overview
Your path into healthcare.
Patient Care Technicians work under the supervision of nurses and physicians, delivering compassionate care and supporting patients with daily activities, vital sign monitoring, and basic medical procedures. They play a crucial role in ensuring quality care and comfort.
What you'll learn
- Patient Care
- Phlebotomy
- EKG Monitoring
- Vital Signs
- Mobility Assistance
- Infection Control
Curriculum
How the program is structured.
Core bedside care, vital signs, and supporting nurses through a hospital shift.
Venipuncture, capillary sticks, and correct specimen labeling and handling.
Lead placement, running 12-lead EKGs, and recognizing strips that need escalation.
Isolation precautions, PPE, sharps safety, and fall prevention.
Bathing, repositioning, safe transfers, and ambulation support.
Clear, compassionate communication and accurate reporting to the care team.
Hands-On Training
Learn by doing.
Every skill in this program is practiced on real clinical equipment in our lab — not just read about in a textbook. By the time you sit your certification exam, the procedures already feel familiar.
Certification
Graduate ready to certify.
Coursework is built directly around the Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC) exam blueprint, administered by AMCA. Structured review sessions run throughout the program, not just at the end.
- Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC)
- AMCA-accredited curriculum
- Exam offered on campus
Pearson VUE
Authorized on-campus testing site.
NGHI Prep
Your training continues beyond the classroom.
AI Tutor
NGHI Prep AI
Mock Exams
Your mock score
43 / 50
Flashcards
Video Lessons
EKG Lead Placement
Module 3 · EKG Technician
Readiness Score
This week
Why NextGen
Why train here.
[01]
Hands-On Training
- Real clinical equipment from week one
- Small class sizes, hands-on labs
- Supervised clinical externship
[02]
Industry Instructors
- Lead instructors still work in the field they teach
- Small student-to-instructor ratios
[03]
Certification Preparation
- AMCA-accredited curriculum
- Coursework built around your exam blueprint
- Pearson VUE testing site
[04]
Career Support
- Job search and placement assistance
- 30+ years training Texans for healthcare careers
Get Started
Schedule & admissions.
Schedule
Choose a schedule that fits.
Admissions
What you'll need to enroll.
- 18 years or older on your program's start date
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Brief admissions interview with an advisor
- Background check and health screening before your clinical externship
Student Experience
“Learning phlebotomy, EKG, and patient care in one program made me the most versatile tech on my unit.”
Patient Care Technician Graduate
Questions
Frequently asked questions
12–16 weeks, depending on the track you choose.
This program is hybrid — a mix of on-campus labs and online coursework.
No prior healthcare experience is required — this program is built for career-changers starting from scratch.
You'll prepare for the Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC), administered by AMCA.
We don't guarantee job placement, but advisors provide job search and placement support after graduation, and graduate employment rates run around 95%+.
Yes — payment plans are available for students who qualify, alongside Pell Grants and federal loans.
The next cohort starts October 15, 2026.