Patient Care Technician is a Certificate program (Hybrid) offered by Dallas Career Institute in Dallas, TX. The program takes 598 contact hours — 23 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $1,200.
Program Overview
The program. The Patient Care Technician (PCT) program is designed to educate and train individuals to function as nursing support personnel who function at a level higher than that of a nurse aide, but below the level requiring nursing credentials. The major focus is the role of the PCT in the hospital and long-term care setting. Students will learn how to support the nursing staff by performing duties that may be safely and legally delegated to PCTs.
The course consists of classroom/lab instruction and supervised/preceptor clinical activities. Students will be able to describe the role and scope of practice of the PCT, cross training in basic healthcare skills, ethical and legal concepts, and alterations in various body systems.
Skills. Students will practice infection control, safety of patient and self, assisting in patient's daily living activities, recording vital signs, professionalism, meeting patient nutrition and elimination needs, providing skin care, communication skills (written and verbal), and consideration of growth and development and grief and loss concepts.
Lecture and skills laboratory practice are used to prepare the student to meet the program objectives. Skills such as Foley catheter insertion, collection of specimens, enemas, colostomy care, sterile dressing changes, pulse oximetry, obtaining an EKG, basic phlebotomy skills, and blood glucose monitoring are included. Clinical experiences will provide students with the opportunity to administer basic nursing care and practice selected skills for patients in all age groups.
The role. While nursing assistants work primarily in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, patient care technicians also work in hospital settings. Essentially, they are trained to support the nursing team by performing duties that may be safely and legally delegated to them by the nursing staff.
What will I learn? The school's Patient Care Technician page lists:
- How to help nurses keep patients comfortable and healthy.
- How to provide daily care for patients.
- Assist with taking vital signs, helping to move patients around a clinic, etc.
Certificate. Students will complete the Patient Care Technician program in approximately 23 weeks. Graduates of this program will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.
What sets this Program apart
A career school for medical professionals. A career school that specializes in training medical professionals. We have flexible schedule and affordable prices.
To give knowledge, and professionalism to career training, we focus on what matters. Our curriculum is designed to help our students achieve their desired academic goals with skill set that will enable them land their dream job.
Collaborative classes and real-world instructors. Our class sizes are structured to create a collaborative environment where students help each other learn. At DCI, be sure you will be trained by instructors with real-world experience in their field, so you'll be ready to start your new career as soon as you graduate.
Flexible classes. Your preference: morning or evening. Well equipped classrooms: a conducive learning environment.
Our mission. The mission of Dallas Career Institute is to prepare graduates in our allied health programs to succeed in their careers. We accomplish our mission by:
- equipping our school with the needed training materials
- providing qualified instructors with experience and dedication
- ensuring that graduates are job ready when they enter their healthcare careers
- delivering the training that provides the graduates with the level of care needed to improve the quality of life to our aging population
- providing the best possible training experience to all our students
Facilities and equipment. Dallas Career Institute's training facilities are spacious, well-appointed, and temperature controlled to provide a comfortable environment conducive to learning. Instructional equipment is representative of the type students may encounter when they enter their new career fields.
Since 2008. Dallas Career Institute was founded in March of 2008. In August 2022 the school relocated to its current address of 9441 LBJ Freeway, Dallas Texas 75243. The current campus is large, spacious with enhanced parking, more classroom and clinical spaces that provides for an improved learning environment, and we invite our potential students and the general public for a tour of our new facility.
Admission Requirements and Process
Admission policy. Dallas Career Institute does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, religion, nationality or disability. Acceptance to all the programs will be on a first come, first enrolled basis for those applicants meeting the specified admission requirements, which includes a personal interview with an enrollment representative or the director of the school.
Patient Care Technician entrance requirements. To be accepted, applicants must:
- Complete a personal interview with an enrollment representative or the school director.
- Applicants for Patient Care Technician must be at least 18 years of age.
- Provide proof of successful completion of secondary education (high school diploma, GED certificate, or attestation of high school diploma or GED) or attestation of required credential.
- During enrollment, present a valid government issued ID which contains the current physical address where you are residing.
- Applicants must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English.
English. All applicants are required to be able to write and speak the English language. Applicants must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English. Our objective is to create an enabling environment for all students to succeed in their areas of study.
Background. Applicants who have been convicted of any felony drug-related crime will not be considered for admission to the Dallas Career Institute. Employment in the healthcare field prohibits entry for those with felony drug-related crime backgrounds. Applicants should be aware that factors outside of their education might affect a graduate's ability to work in his/her chosen field (such as prior or current legal issues and health issues related to abilities or general health).
Preparation. Courses offered by Dallas Career Institute are rigorous and demanding. Therefore, additional preparation prior to enrollment is encouraged. The administration reserves the right to require additional evaluation to determine an applicant's ability to complete program requirements and to benefit from his/her chosen field of study.
Physical location. During enrollment, the student must present a valid government issued ID which contains the current physical address where the student is residing. DCI keeps a copy of this document.
Proof of education. If the program requires a high school diploma or GED, the student may attest to having the education because due to mitigating circumstances the student is unable to provide proof of his/her education. The School Director will make the decision if the attestation is sufficient to waive the documentation of a high school diploma or GED.
Additionally, to be accepted, applicants must provide all items as listed in the Admission Requirement for the program in which they wish to enroll. There are no special requirements for taking blended (distance education) courses and no additional fees.
Transfer of credit. DCI will evaluate courses taken from another institution or prior vendor certifications, and will accept a maximum of 25% clock hours/credits in any program. There is no fee for requesting a transfer of credit. DCI does not allow for earning credit/clock hours through advanced placement or through experiential learning.
Texas residents. Dallas Career Institute currently only enrolls students in Texas (Texas residents).
General Requirements
- Personal interviewComplete a personal interview with an enrollment representative or the school director.
- At least 18 years of ageApplicants for Patient Care Technician must be at least 18 years of age.
- Secondary educationProvide proof of successful completion of secondary education (high school diploma, GED certificate, or attestation of high school diploma or GED) or attestation of required…
- Government-issued IDDuring enrollment, present a valid government issued ID which contains the current physical address where you are residing.
- EnglishApplicants must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English.
Application Process
- 1Contact or visit the schoolGet in touch or stop by Dallas Career Institute at 9441 LBJ Freeway, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75243. No appointment necessary.
- 2Complete a personal interviewAdmission includes a personal interview with an enrollment representative or the director of the school.
- 3Bring your documentsDuring enrollment, present a valid government issued ID which contains your current physical address, and provide all items listed in the admission requirements for your program.
- 4Enroll before the deadlineEnrollment in the Patient Care Technician (PCT) Program may be completed during normal office hours throughout the year up to one week before classes begin.
- 5Pay at registrationTotal cost for the Patient Care Technician is $1,850.00 with $500.00 due at registration. The remainder is due at or before PCT-125.
Program Schedule
Length. Classes for Patient Care Technician (PCT) began September 13, 2010, with successive classes beginning approximately every twenty-three (23) weeks thereafter. Students enrolled in PCT can expect to complete their training in approximately twenty-three (23) weeks providing there are no absences or other extenuating circumstances.
Class days. All students attend Monday to Friday, with clinical training Monday to Thursday for 4 weeks.
Enrolling. Enrollment in the Patient Care Technician (PCT) Program may be completed during normal office hours throughout the year up to one week before classes begin.
Residence or blended. Programs are offered by residence or blended. No programs are offered totally through online delivery. Students are encouraged to attend classes on a residency basis.
If the student is unable to attend in person, he/she may log into the class remotely using a computer, laptop, and/or a smartphone. The student will access Zoom to attend the class.
Students attending by Zoom are required to login, answer questions, and participate in the live discussions. If the student does not have access to the technology required and cannot attend in real time, the student may come to the campus, use the campus computers, and access the recorded class at a later time. In this situation, student will be marked absent.
Hours of operation. School hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Clock hours and breaks. A clock hour is defined as 50 minutes during a 60-minute period. For didactic class sessions that are 4.5 hours or less in length, there will be no meal break; for sessions exceeding 4.5 hours a 30-minute meal break will be allowed. Breaks and mealtimes during clinical rotations will be set by the onsite clinical supervisor.
Holidays. Dallas Career Institute will be closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Day after Thanksgiving, the Day Before Christmas, and Christmas Day and the Day after. There are no scheduled vacation periods for students at Dallas Career Institute.
Upcoming starts. The school's online enrollment storefront lists these next start dates; starting dates may vary based on demand, so please confirm dates with the Administrative Office.
Our start dates are as follows:
- January 4, 2027
- March 15, 2027
- January 04th, 2027
- March 15th, 2027
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name |
|---|---|
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
State Authorized: Texas Workforce Commission. Dallas Career Institute is approved and licensed by the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Colleges; by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. DCI is not accredited.
Seeking accreditation. In July 2026 the school announced it is seeking Initial Accreditation with the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
What it costs. Total cost for the Patient Care Technician is $1,850.00 with $500.00 due at registration. The remainder is due at or before PCT-125. The catalog's Tuition and Fees are:
- Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $100.00
- Registration Fee: $400.00
- Tuition: $1,200.00
- Textbook: $150.00
- Total Cost: $1,850.00
Note. The cost of books and tuition are subject to change. No charge for learning resources. Licensing exams are not included.
Federal aid. The school is not currently positioned to provide federal grants, loans, and work study programs.
Pay as you go. We know that paying for college is hard, and not everybody may qualify for scholarship or grants. At Dallas Career Institute, you can pay for your program as you go.
Installment payment plans are available to students in the programs we offer. Students who qualify are encouraged to reach out to the Texas Workforce Commission for tuition assistance.
TWC WIOA Program. Texas Workforce Commission pays the tuition for students who qualify. The school is willing to furnish you with the bid letter to the workforce to facilitate the approval process.
Veterans. We train Veterans, their spouses and dependents under the GI Bill. We salute our veterans!
How to pay. Payment for training may be made by personal check, credit card, cashier's check, or money order. A $30.00 fee will be charged for personal checks returned for insufficient funds. There is no interest charged for using the installment plan.
Scholarships. Scholarships are not currently available for any educational program offered by Dallas Career Institute.
Transcripts. The first copy of the official student transcript is provided to the student or prospective employer at no cost. Subsequent copies of official transcripts will be provided at a cost of $10.00 per copy.
Cancellation. A full refund will be made to any student who cancels the enrollment contract within 72 hours (until midnight of the third day excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) after the enrollment contract is signed. A full refund will also be made to any student who cancels enrollment within the student's first three scheduled class days, except that the school may retain not more than $100 in any administrative fees charged, as well as items of extra expense that are necessary for the portion of the program attended and stated separately on the enrollment agreement.
Refunds. If a student enters a residence or synchronous distance education program and withdraws or is otherwise terminated after the cancellation period, the school may retain not more than $100 in any administrative fees charged for the entire program. The minimum refund of the remaining tuition and fees will be the pro rata portion of tuition, fees, and other charges, except that a student may not collect a refund if the student has completed 75 percent or more of the total number of hours in the portion of the program for which the student has been charged.
Curriculum
The catalog's Program Outline for the Patient Care Technician lists 25 subjects totalling 300 lecture, 178 lab and 120 externship contact hours (598 in all). The course table below gives each subject's hours and description.
Students will complete the Patient Care Technician program in approximately 23 weeks. Graduates of this program will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.
Blended courses. Students who are unable to attend lecture program courses may access a distance education platform, Zoom, and participate at the same time as the lecture is being delivered (blended). No programs are taught completely online.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Lecture | Lab | External | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Where graduates work. Graduates may find employment as a PCT in long-term care facilities, hospitals, laboratories, and clinics where basic nursing skills are required, as well as the skills of phlebotomy, performing electrocardiograms (EKG), stress testing, and Holter monitoring procedures.
Three externships. The program includes a Patient Care Skills externship, a Phlebotomy Externship and an EKG Technician Externship of 40 contact hours each.
Placement assistance. Dallas Career Institute strives to assist each graduating student in finding a job. However, no guarantees for placement can be given. The Institute does receive information regarding employment opportunities from employers on a regular basis.
These employment opportunities may be made available to students upon graduation. Program Directors maintain close contact with employers and stay up to date on job openings.
Graduates are asked to keep the Institute informed of their credentialing status, employment achievements, and contact information. Placement assistance is always available to graduates and is offered free of charge. The Institute takes great pride in the accomplishments of its graduates.
Employment assistance. DCI does not guarantee employment of graduates. The Institute will work with graduates by assisting with preparation of resumes, direction on appropriate job searches, mock interviews, and the posting of available employment listings.
What to expect as a Dallas Career Institute student
Grades. Grades are provided to students at the half-way point of the program and at the end of each course. A percentage grade is provided for written reports, tests, and competency demonstrations, and is then translated into a letter grade and grade points. Dallas Career Institute is committed to providing each student with the very best training experience with an emphasis on individual attention.
- A: 90% to 100% (4 grade points)
- B: 80% to 89% (3 grade points)
- C: 70% to 79% (2 grade points)
- D: 60% to 69% (1 grade point)
- F: 0% to 59% (0 grade points)
Satisfactory academic progress. To be considered making satisfactory academic progress toward graduation, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 70% or 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale and a minimum rate of completion. Progress in the programs will be evaluated midway through the program. All programs must be completed within 150% of the length of the program.
Attendance. Attendance and participation in classes are extremely important, and students are expected to attend all class sessions. Students are required to complete 90% of all contact hours, and any hours of missed attendance shall be made up in accordance with the Make-up Work Policy.
If a student is late to class by 10 or more minutes, the student is considered tardy. Being tardy three times constitutes an absence.
Make-up work. Students wanting additional help or needing to make up for missed work must contact their instructor to make appropriate arrangements to review lectures recorded on Zoom. Make-up work is conducted each Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Student services. Any student may receive academic tutoring at no cost by requesting assistance from the instructor and/or the School Director. Students may seek additional services outside of the Institute by scheduling a conference with the School Director, who will provide referral services.
The Institute does not provide personal counseling. No housing is available through the Institute.
Graduation. All students are issued the certificate of completion at the end of the training. The extent of the graduation ceremonies depends on the arrangements between the school and the graduating class.
Requirements for graduation. To successfully complete the Patient Care Technician program, students must:
- Complete 100% of contact hours
- Complete the required coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better
- Satisfy all financial obligations to Dallas Career Institute
Other Programs at Dallas
Dallas Career Institute in Dallas, TX also offers these 9 programs at 9441 LBJ Freeway, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75243.
- Certified Nurse Aide 24-Hour Continuing Education SeminarCertificate · 24 contact hours — about six days
- CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) 6-Hour SeminarCertificate · 6 contact hours — one Saturday session
- EKG TechnicianCertificate · 40 contact hours — 4 weeks
- Medical AssistantCertificate · 722 contact hours — 31 weeks
- Medication Aide Continuing Education Seminar/CEUCertificate · 7 contact hours — one session
- Medication Aide TrainingCertificate · 140 contact hours — 8 weeks
- Nurse Aide TrainingCertificate · 112 contact hours — 4 weeks
- Pharmacy Technician Training ProgramCertificate · 610 contact hours — 26 weeks
- Phlebotomy TechnicianCertificate · 99 contact hours — 6 weeks