Introducing the First PCA Immersion Course Participants

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Introducing the First Patient Care Assistant Immersion Course Participants

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The first Houston Methodist Hospital Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Immersion course has ended, and we would like to recognize the first participants of the course. These dedicated staff members have come from several different departments with a desire to pursue a career in healthcare as a PCA. We are sure that they will continue to do great things at Houston Methodist Hospital!

Norma Bautista has been working at HMH in the housekeeping department for 19 years. Her son inspired her to become a PCA. He told her that he didn’t want her to continue working as a housekeeper. Her primary preceptor is Joan Ficklin, and her sponsoring manager is Gracelda Bernardo from Main 4. Her career goal is to continue working at HMH as a PCA. Norma believes the course has been very helpful and that it prepared her to perform the basic skills done by the PCAs, but she’s still learning and gaining experience on her floor. She feels that the course content was adequate, and the books and assignments have been helpful. She also appreciates the support from educators and leaders who helped her transition to the PCA role and the opportunity to work in another area. Her husband and son are also very supportive and happy that she has been able to work with patients.

Christian Mandujano has been working at HMH in the transportation department since September 2020. He already has a master’s degree, and his career goal is to become a doctor. He wanted to work as a PCA to be around patients, learn about bedside manners, and observe how healthcare workers manage different conditions. His primary preceptor is Olivia Bran, and the sponsoring manager is Raquel Contreras from Alkek 7. Christian stated the course has been very helpful, allowing him not to be so lost when getting started. He wishes the lectures had more detailed information because he’s looking to go into medicine. He feels the introductory training worked very well to prepare him for the floor. Having an understanding preceptor has also helped immensely.

Desiree Salinas has been working at HMH in the Housekeeping Department for over three years. She became interested in nursing while observing how nurses and PCAs care for patients in the Emergency department. Her primary preceptor is MaEliza Tagaban, an experienced PCA Specialist, and the sponsoring manager is Stacey Ann Edwards from the Walter Tower 18 Stroke Center. Desiree hopes to become a Registered Nurse in the future. She also believes the course content is adequate and helped her to learn the basic skills performed by PCAs. She said she’s learning a lot with her preceptors.

Mahbuba “Mahi” Abdalla has been working at HMH in the Dietary Department. She wanted to work as a PCA to gain experience working with mothers and babies. Her future career goal was to become a Labor & Delivery (L&D) nurse and help deliver babies. The sponsoring manager is Heather Gray from Dunn 6W L&D/Post-Partum/Nursery. She appreciated the opportunity to take the course and work with patients on the floor but is unsure if this is the right career for her.