Spurger ISD Expands Health Services CTE with Patient Care Technician Program
Spurger ISD is proud to highlight its Health Services Career & Technical Education pathway, the Patient Care Technician (PCT) program, a four-year course of study designed to prepare students for careers in the healthcare field. The program provides hands-on training and foundational medical knowledge that equips students for postsecondary education or immediate entry into the healthcare workforce.
Throughout all four years of the program, students receive instruction aligned with real-world healthcare expectations. Coursework includes Basic Health Profession Skills, Medical Terminology, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Medical Assisting Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Procedures in a Clinical Setting, Electrocardiography, Assisting Laboratory Procedures, and Clinical experience. Students also gain exposure to the full scope of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) duties, along with advanced skills such as phlebotomy, EKG procedures, and select medication administration concepts.
A major milestone for the program is the opening of a newly renovated and fully equipped classroom, designed to mirror a professional clinical environment. The space includes hospital beds, training manikins, a phlebotomy chair, EKG equipment, human anatomy models, medical posters, textbooks, and essential clinical tools such as blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes. This environment allows students to practice skills in a setting that closely reflects real healthcare workplaces.
The expansion of the PCT program was made possible through a $25,000 REAP grant, which funded the purchase of instructional and clinical equipment. Spurger ISD extends special thanks to DETCCA (Deep East Texas College and Career Academy) in Jasper for their continued support and partnership in strengthening career pathways for students across the region. In addition to grant support, DETCCA assisted the program by providing a new, state-of-the-art Promethean interactive touch panel, enhancing daily instruction and hands-on learning in the classroom.
Spurger ISD is also grateful for the continued partnership with Dr. Chapman, who serves as the program’s industry partner. His involvement helps ensure the curriculum remains aligned with current healthcare standards and workforce needs. Graduates of the Patient Care Technician pathway are prepared for employment in hospitals, dialysis centers, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics, with average entry-level salaries in the mid-$30,000 range, while also gaining a strong foundation for continued education in the medical field.
