7 Best PCT Schools in Austin, TX

Austin Community College is a large public community college serving Austin and surrounding Central Texas communities.

Its Continuing Education division offers a dedicated Patient Care Technician pathway along with separate Certified Nurse Aide, Phlebotomy Technician, and Medical Assistant programs.

This is one of the strongest Austin options for students who want hands-on PCT training through a public college.

Programs Offered

The PCT pathway includes a Patient Care Technician course followed by a clinical component. Students receive classroom, laboratory, and practical training related to direct patient care.

ACC also offers an eight-week Certified Nurse Aide program consisting of 78 classroom hours and 48 clinical hours.

The separate Phlebotomy Technician certificate includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience in blood collection, specimen identification, safety, and infection control.

Students who want broader outpatient training can choose the Registered Medical Assistant program, which includes clinical procedures, medication administration, laboratory science, and a practicum.

Tuition and Cost

Recent PCT course pricing has been approximately $1,200 for the two core PCT courses before books, clinical requirements, and other fees.

The CNA program currently costs approximately $1,108 before books and fees.

Phlebotomy tuition is approximately $900 before additional costs.

Program Length

The PCT curriculum includes approximately 228 hours, divided between 84 hours of PCT instruction and 144 hours of clinical training.

CNA training takes eight weeks, while phlebotomy takes approximately 3.5 months

Goodwill Career & Technical Academy is located on Norwood Park Boulevard in Austin.

It offers a dedicated Patient Care Technician program with full tuition grants available to qualifying Central Texas residents.

The program is especially attractive for students who want a short, in-person course and may qualify for workforce-funded training.

Programs Offered

The PCT curriculum covers anatomy and physiology, patient care fundamentals, bathing and feeding assistance, catheter care, infection control, patient safety, CPR, First Aid, phlebotomy, and EKG procedures.

Students learn how to collect blood and urine specimens, obtain vital signs, perform basic medical tests, assist with mobility, and document patient information.

Training prepares students for the Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician examination.

Applicants need a high school diploma or GED, must pass a background check and entrance assessments, and must meet immunization requirements for patient-contact training.

Tuition and Cost

Qualifying students may receive a full tuition grant, reducing tuition to $0.

Eligibility is limited to qualifying residents of Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, or Hays counties and depends on factors such as household income.

Students should ask whether uniforms, certification testing, screenings, and personal supplies are included in their grant.

Program Length

The program includes 200 classroom and laboratory hours and takes approximately eight weeks.

Daytime classes are offered when a PCT cohort is scheduled.

Central Texas Nurse Network is a private healthcare training school located on East Rundberg Lane in Austin.

It offers a comprehensive Patient Care Technician program designed specifically around the skills used in direct patient care.

This is a useful option for beginners who want phlebotomy, EKG, long-term care, and general PCT skills in one curriculum.

Programs Offered

The 420-hour curriculum includes anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, CPR, expanded patient care, phlebotomy, healthcare computer skills, electrocardiography, and long-term care.

Students receive 292 hours of lecture instruction and 128 hours of hands-on laboratory training.

The phlebotomy component includes blood-collection techniques, while the 65-hour electrocardiography section provides EKG-related training.

Tuition and Cost

Current tuition is provided during enrollment rather than published as one fixed online price.

Students should budget approximately $3,000 to $5,000 for a private 420-hour PCT program of this type.

Applicants should request an itemized quote covering tuition, books, supplies, uniforms, CPR, certification testing, and screening requirements.

Program Length

The program includes 420 clock hours and takes approximately 16 weeks.

Austin Medical Assistant School is a private career training provider offering an accelerated hybrid program at medical-office training locations in Austin.

The program is technically Medical Assisting rather than PCT training, but it includes phlebotomy, EKG, vital signs, laboratory testing, and extensive hands-on patient interaction.

Programs Offered

Students learn patient intake, vital signs, infection control, medical terminology, phlebotomy, injections, specimen processing, EKG procedures, laboratory testing, and medical documentation.

Training includes approximately 4.5 hours of in-person hands-on practice each week plus online coursework.

Students can also complete an 80-hour externship and receive preparation for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant examination.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition is approximately $4,490 when paid in full.

A payment plan is available, although financing adds approximately $300 to the total cost.

Students should confirm whether certification testing, scrubs, BLS training, and externship expenses are included.

Program Length

The Medical Assistant program takes 18 weeks.

CyberTex Institute of Technology is a private career school with an Austin campus on La Calma Drive.

Its Medical Assistant program provides broader training than a short PCT certificate and includes preparation in phlebotomy and EKG procedures.

The campus includes medical and nursing skills laboratories for hands-on practice.

Programs Offered

Students learn medical histories, patient preparation, examination assistance, specimen collection, blood drawing, EKG procedures, medical billing, and administrative healthcare duties.

Eligible graduates can pursue certifications in Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy Technology, EKG Technology, and Medical Administrative Assisting.

The phlebotomy and EKG components are relevant to PCT work, although students interested in bedside hospital positions should check whether employers also require CNA certification.

Tuition and Cost

The current Medical Assistant program costs approximately $16,500.

Financial aid may be available to qualifying students.

Applicants should confirm whether books, uniforms, laboratory supplies, certification testing, and other required expenses are included.

Program Length

The program includes approximately 900 hours and takes 45 weeks.

Austin Career Institute is a private vocational school with Austin locations on Cameron Road and East Highway 290.

Its Medical Assistant diploma offers a longer alternative for students who want extensive clinical instruction.

Programs Offered

Students learn how to obtain vital signs, perform ECG procedures, prepare patients for examinations, assist healthcare providers, use clinical equipment, and handle administrative medical-office responsibilities.

Training takes place partly in a simulated clinical setting so students can practice with equipment before entering employment.

The curriculum overlaps with several PCT duties but is mainly designed for medical assisting positions.

Tuition and Cost

The Medical Assistant diploma costs approximately $15,995.

Students should request a complete enrollment estimate covering tuition, textbooks, uniforms, laboratory equipment, certification fees, and other charges.

Financial aid may be available to qualifying students.

Program Length

The program includes 771 hours and takes approximately 32 weeks, or eight months.

Traditional classroom and hybrid formats are available.

The College of Health Care Professions operates an Austin campus on East Highway 290.

Its blended Medical Assistant Certificate combines online coursework, campus laboratory instruction, and an externship.

Programs Offered

Students receive training in patient preparation, vital signs, phlebotomy, EKG procedures, specimen collection, laboratory testing, medical terminology, infection control, and medical-office responsibilities.

An externship allows students to practice their clinical skills in a healthcare setting.

The program is primarily intended for medical assisting, so students planning to pursue inpatient PCT work should compare hospital requirements for CNA or bedside-care experience.

Tuition and Cost

The blended Medical Assistant Certificate costs approximately $18,400.

Students should also account for any separate costs for books, uniforms, equipment, health requirements, background screening, and certification examinations.

Financial aid may be available to qualifying students.

Program Length

The certificate includes approximately 900 training hours.

Full-time students generally complete the program in about eight to nine months.