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PCT EXTERNSHIP

Patient Care Technician Externship in Texas

Your complete guide to arranging a self-managed 100-hour externship across The Lone Star State. Build clinical skills, employer connections, and a pathway to employment.

Patient Care Technician externship training in Texas

100

Hours Required

4-8

Weeks Typical

426

TX Hospitals

25,000+

Annual Openings

Self

Managed

Who this training is for

Ideal for candidates with prior PCT clinical experience who need certification to validate their skills for Texas employers.

New to the field? If you have no prior experience, you must complete a Self-Managed 100-Hour Externship to build hands-on confidence needed to complete the program and prepare to challenge the AMCA PCTC.

Externship Disclaimer

EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. All externships are self-managed. You are responsible for identifying and securing your own externship site at a hospital or healthcare facility. EHired provides state-specific resources and guidance, but placement is not guaranteed.

What is a PCT Externship?

A Patient Care Technician externship is a 100-hour hands-on clinical experience where you apply classroom knowledge in real healthcare settings. During your externship in Texas, you'll work alongside experienced healthcare professionals in hospitals, dialysis centers, or long-term care facilities.

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Hospital Settings

Medical-surgical units, emergency departments, ICUs, and specialty floors at major Texas health systems.

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Dialysis Centers

DaVita and Fresenius operate dialysis centers across Texas, offering specialized renal care experience.

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Long-Term Care

Skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers throughout Texas provide extended patient care opportunities.

PCT Externship Sites in Texas

Explore potential externship locations across four regions of The Lone Star State

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Houston Metro (Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery Counties)

Nation's 4th largest city with Texas Medical Center—world's largest medical complex.

Hospitals: Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor St. Luke's, HCA Houston Healthcare

Dialysis: DaVita (80+ centers), Fresenius (70+ centers) Houston metro—massive market

Long-Term Care: Houston LTC; extensive network throughout Harris County and suburbs

💡 Tip: Texas Medical Center is the world's largest medical complex—unparalleled opportunities.

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Dallas-Fort Worth (Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton Counties)

Massive metro with UT Southwestern, Baylor Scott & White, Texas Health, and Parkland.

Hospitals: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Baylor University Medical Center, Parkland Memorial, Texas Health Presbyterian, Medical City

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius DFW locations (100+ centers)

Long-Term Care: DFW nursing facilities; extensive network across metroplex

💡 Tip: DFW is massive and growing rapidly—healthcare can't keep up with demand.

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San Antonio/Austin (Bexar, Travis Counties)

Military hub (San Antonio) and tech hub (Austin) with Methodist, University Health, and Ascension Seton.

Hospitals: Methodist Hospital San Antonio, University Health System, Ascension Seton, St. David's Healthcare, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius Central Texas locations

Long-Term Care: San Antonio and Austin nursing facilities; military and tech community care

💡 Tip: San Antonio has major military healthcare; Austin has tech-driven growth.

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West Texas/El Paso (El Paso, Lubbock, Midland Counties)

Border region and oil country with University Medical Center El Paso and Covenant Health.

Hospitals: University Medical Center of El Paso, Covenant Health Lubbock, Medical Center Health System (Odessa), Midland Memorial

Dialysis: DaVita and Fresenius West Texas locations

Long-Term Care: West Texas nursing facilities; El Paso, Lubbock, Permian Basin

💡 Tip: West Texas has extreme shortages—significant recruitment incentives available.

What You'll Learn During Your Externship

Clinical Skills

  • • Vital signs measurement and documentation
  • • Patient positioning and transfers
  • • Basic wound care and dressing changes
  • • Specimen collection procedures
  • • EKG electrode placement

Professional Development

  • • Healthcare team communication
  • • Electronic health records (EHR)
  • • HIPAA compliance in practice
  • • Infection control protocols
  • • Patient advocacy skills

Ready to Start Your PCT Career in Texas?

Free to enroll. Free to learn. Pay only when you're ready to certify.

$0 To Enroll
100 Clinical Hours
AMCA Certification
Enroll Free Today

No credit card required • No FAFSA • No obligation

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PCT externships in Texas:

Where can I find PCT externship sites in Texas?
Texas has 426 hospitals—second most in the US. Major systems include HCA, Baylor Scott & White, Memorial Hermann, and Texas Health. Houston's Texas Medical Center is the world's largest. DaVita and Fresenius operate 250+ dialysis centers statewide.
Does Texas require PCT certification?
Texas does not require state PCT certification. AMCA PCTC is strongly preferred by major employers. CNA certification through Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services is required for nursing homes. Texas is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
What's unique about Texas's healthcare market?
Texas has the second-largest healthcare market in the US. Houston's Texas Medical Center alone has 60+ institutions. The state is growing rapidly with healthcare struggling to keep pace. No state income tax increases take-home pay. Bilingual Spanish is valuable.
How do I approach Texas Medical Center institutions?
Texas Medical Center has 60+ institutions including MD Anderson, Texas Children's, and Houston Methodist. Apply through individual institution student programs. Competition is high but the scale means many opportunities. Start with smaller TMC facilities if major institutions seem unreachable.