TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Tucson Medical Center (TMC) is recruiting Tucsonans interested in starting a career in healthcare. Medical training is not required for the Patient Care Technician (PCT) program and you get paid!
"It's really a way to get your foot in the door in healthcare and then build from that," said Susan Castillo, clinical educator for the PCT program.
Castillo says a high school diploma or GED is required to join the program.
"This is a way that we can bring in people who might not otherwise get a job in the hospital because they don't have the training," Castillo said. "So we give them the training so they can, they can help us with staffing and then we help them to build their career."
The PCT program pays $18.53/hour and is fully hands-on. Students learn a wide range of subjects like basic healthcare skills and how to perform EKGs.
A 19-year-old recent PCT graduate, Elise DeVault, tells me she was nervous about starting the program without experience. DeVault says she’s learned a lot from stepping outside her comfort zone and being surrounded by people with different skill levels.
"The fact that you get paid while you're learning and while you're participating in the program makes a huge difference because you can fully dedicate yourself to learning and to enjoying the program," DeVault said.
Students have two weeks of classroom training, two weeks of clinical practice, and then four weeks of training in a specific hospital unit.
Another PCT graduate turned exercise physiologist, Devin Espinoza, joined the program with a bachelor's degree in physiology from the University of Arizona. He currently works at the cardiac rehab center at TMC.
"I met coworkers who were like, 'You have your degree already, you should apply to this position.' And so I think that speaks to the program and how it is a stepping stone to further your career in healthcare," Espinoza said.
The next PCT program starts on November 11, 2024, but TMC says the class is full. If you're interested in joining in the future, more details are available here.
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Jacqueline Aguilar is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9. Born and raised in Yuma, AZ., she is no stranger to the unforgiving Arizona heat. Now this U of A wildcat is excited to be back in Tucson and is looking forward to involving herself in the community. Share your story ideas with Jacqueline by emailing jacqueline.aguilar@kgun9.com or connecting on Facebook, Instagram or X.
