Our Houston Methodist community is proud to announce the commencement of our annual Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Internship Program of 2023. Partnering with Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS) and the Smithwood Medical Institute since 2008, Houston Methodist Hospital has been working closely with CIS of Houston, offering local high school students the chance to participate in our eight-week Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Summer Internship Program.
The PCA Internship Program equips students with practical training and mentorship by Registered Nurses at Houston Methodist Hospital. These RNs provide direct guidance while helping graduating seniors build dynamic skills and gain clinical experience throughout the summer before college. Student Interns work to earn a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification upon completion of the Program. Additionally, outstanding participants may receive a college scholarship and even job placement opportunities at Houston Methodist upon earning their college degree.
Our summer PCA Interns know how incredible an opportunity this is for students interested in a career in the medical field. The challenging internship requires a commitment of 48 hours per work week, along with attending evening classes at Smithwood to complete the Certified Nursing Assistant course. Here, students learn the principles of the profession and engage in labs to prepare for the CNA Texas State Certification Exam. Upon successful completion, they transition from students to Certified Nursing Assistants, ready to pursue their careers in healthcare.
Lisa Descant, CEO of Communities In Schools of Houston, expressed her enthusiasm for the program: "This is one of our premier workplace readiness programs in which students receive outstanding training and education through our partners at Houston Methodist and Smithwood Medical Institute. The depth and breadth of the program is incredible and gives our students an opportunity to advance in the medical profession, whether it is nursing, medical tech or other disciplines. Many of them are offered jobs with Houston Methodist after they complete their college education."
It’s never too early to establish a career goal and begin the path towards that goal. At Houston Methodist, we are grateful to be a part of this transformative program. Our community takes pride in witnessing our student interns grow and find early success in the medical profession. Thanks to our summer PCA Internship Program, in partnership with CIS and Smithwood, Houston Methodist provides students with the right amount of guidance and mentorship to find success in this field and learn first-hand what it takes to provide quality and compassionate patient care.
For more information about Communities In Schools of Houston, its programs and participating local high schools, please visit their website at www.cishouston.org. For those interested in pursuing excellence in medicine while continuing to learn and develop professional skills beyond graduation, visit our career website.
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