Direct Patient Care

Healthcare is one of the most human careers you can choose — and one of the most in-demand. This pathway prepares students for a field where the work genuinely matters.

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Careers in This Field

The healthcare field spans an enormous range of roles — from hands-on patient support to clinical diagnostics, behavioral health, and advanced practice nursing. Below is a look at where a Direct Patient Care pathway can lead, organized by the education level each role typically requires.

With a High School Diplomadooley2026-09-16T16:47:46-05:00

With a High School Diploma

Healthcare employers need entry-level support staff in nearly every setting — hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and community health organizations. These roles offer a real foothold in the field and often serve as the starting point for clinical career advancement.

Activities Assistant

Plan and lead recreational and therapeutic activities for patients in long-term care or rehabilitation settings.

Dietary Aide

Prepare and deliver meals to patients according to nutritional plans and dietary restrictions.

Home Health Aide

Provide personal care and support to patients in their own homes under the direction of a care team.

Patient Customer Service Representative

Serve as a front-line contact for patients — scheduling, registration, insurance, and general support.

Patient Advocate

Help patients and families navigate healthcare systems, understand their options, and access needed services.

Personal Care Aide

Assist individuals with daily living tasks — bathing, dressing, mobility — in home or residential care settings.

Transporter

Move patients safely between departments, rooms, and treatment areas within a healthcare facility.

Mental Health Navigator

Connect individuals experiencing mental health challenges to appropriate services and community resources.

Anesthesia Technician

Support anesthesiologists in preparing equipment and supplies for surgical procedures.

With Additional Training, a Certificate Program, or Technical Diplomadooley2026-09-16T16:52:44-05:00

With Additional Training, a Certificate Program, or Technical Diploma

Certificate and diploma programs unlock the clinical roles that put healthcare workers directly at the patient’s side. Many of these credentials can be earned in less than a year — and KTEC students can get a head start on several of them before graduation.

Nursing Assistant

Provide direct patient care — vital signs, mobility assistance, daily hygiene — under a nurse’s supervision.

Medical Assistant

Support physicians and clinicians with both administrative tasks and basic clinical procedures.

Emergency Medical Technician

Respond to emergency calls, assess patients in the field, and provide stabilizing care during transport.

Phlebotomist

Draw blood samples from patients for laboratory testing, transfusions, and research.

Dental Assistant

Assist dentists during procedures, sterilize instruments, and support patient care in dental offices.

Pharmacy Technician

Help pharmacists dispense medications, manage inventory, and process prescriptions.

Patient Care Technician

Perform a range of clinical support tasks in hospitals and acute care settings under nurse supervision.

Licensed Practical Nurse

Provide direct patient care, administer medications, and monitor patient conditions in a range of settings.

EKG Technician

Operate electrocardiogram equipment to monitor and record patients’ heart activity.

Sterile Processing Technician

Decontaminate, sterilize, and manage surgical instruments and medical equipment.

Community Health Worker

Support underserved populations in connecting to health services, preventive care, and social resources.

Peer Support Specialist

Draw on lived experience with mental health or substance use to support others on their recovery journey.

With an Associate Degreedooley2026-09-16T16:56:33-05:00

With an Associate Degree

Associate-level credentials open the door to specialized clinical roles — the technicians, therapists, and nurses who operate diagnostic equipment, support rehabilitation, and staff hospital floors.

Registered Nurse (ADN)

Provide and coordinate direct patient care in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings.

Paramedic

Deliver advanced pre-hospital emergency care, including medications, airway management, and cardiac interventions.

Radiologic Technologist

Operate X-ray and imaging equipment to produce diagnostic images for physicians.

Surgical Technologist

Prepare surgical suites, assist during procedures, and maintain sterile technique in the operating room.

Respiratory Therapist

Assess and treat patients with breathing disorders across hospital and outpatient settings.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Help patients regain mobility and strength under the direction of a licensed physical therapist.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Support patients in developing the skills needed for daily living and work activities.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Use ultrasound equipment to produce diagnostic images of internal organs and structures.

Dental Hygienist

Provide preventive dental care, examine patients for oral health issues, and educate on hygiene practices.

MRI Technician

Operate magnetic resonance imaging equipment to produce detailed scans for clinical diagnosis.

Medical/Clinical Laboratory Technician

Perform laboratory tests on patient samples to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

With a Bachelor’s Degree or Higherdooley2026-09-16T17:00:00-05:00

With a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Advanced degrees in healthcare lead to the clinical, leadership, and research careers that define the top of the field — from bedside nursing to surgery to public health policy.

Registered Nurse (BSN)

Provide direct patient care with a broader foundation in leadership, research, and community health.

Nurse Practitioner

Diagnose and treat patients independently, prescribe medications, and manage ongoing care.

Physician Assistant

Practice medicine under physician supervision — examining patients, diagnosing conditions, and developing treatment plans.

Physical Therapist

Evaluate and treat patients with movement disorders, pain, and injury through evidence-based rehabilitation.

Occupational Therapist

Help patients develop, recover, or maintain everyday skills affected by illness, injury, or disability.

Pharmacist

Dispense medications, counsel patients on drug interactions, and collaborate with care teams on treatment plans.

Psychologist

Assess and treat mental health conditions through therapy, testing, and behavioral interventions.

Social Worker

Support individuals and families navigating mental health, substance use, housing, and healthcare challenges.

Public Health Professional

Design and lead programs that improve health outcomes at the community and population level.

Radiologist

Interpret medical imaging — X-rays, MRIs, CT scans — to diagnose disease and guide treatment.

Doctor

Diagnose and treat illness, injuries, and medical conditions across a wide range of specialties.

Why This Field in Kenosha County

7,600+

healthcare jobs available across Kenosha County

Healthcare is one of Kenosha County’s largest and fastest-growing employment sectors. With major systems like Aurora Health Care, Froedtert South, and ClearSky Rehabilitation operating locally, the region has deep, sustained demand for patient care workers at every level — from certified nursing assistants and medical assistants to EMTs and clinical roles. For students interested in healthcare, the jobs are right here.

Direct Patient Care at KTEC

Courses at KTEC

Every KTEC student builds a foundation in our dedicated technology labs before advancing into specialized coursework. For Direct Patient Care students, that foundation includes safety, technology applications, and problem-solving skills that carry directly into a healthcare environment.

KTEC Core Courses

Tech 1

Introduction to technology systems, tools, and problem-solving in a hands-on lab environment.

Tech 2

Advanced application of technology concepts, with increasing focus on precision and project work.

Tech 3

Specialized technology applications with deeper emphasis on pathway-relevant skills and independent projects.

Digital Art

Design fundamentals and digital production skills — useful across healthcare communication, documentation, and more.

Industrial Safety

Workplace safety standards, hazard identification, and safe equipment operation practices.

Gateway Technical College Courses

KTEC students can begin earning healthcare credentials before they graduate — at no additional cost — through our partnership with Gateway Technical College. The Direct Patient Care pathway includes two technical diploma tracks: one in Emergency Medical Technology and one in Nursing Assistant. Completing either track while still in high school puts students significantly ahead of peers entering those programs after graduation.

Note: Students must be 18 years old to sit for the EMT and CNA credentialing exams.

Healthcare Foundationsdooley2026-09-17T14:30:02-05:00

Healthcare Foundations

503-780 Hazardous Materials Operations

Identify, assess, and respond safely to hazardous materials incidents in healthcare and community settings.

Emergency Medical Technician Technical Diploma Trackdooley2026-09-17T14:31:38-05:00

Emergency Medical Technician Technical Diploma Track

531-100 EMR to EMT 1 ★

Emergency medical care fundamentals — patient assessment, airway management, and basic life support.

531-101 EMR to EMT 2 ★

Advanced EMT skills including trauma care, medical emergencies, and patient transport protocols.

★ These courses count toward the Gateway Technical College Emergency Medical Technician (30-531-3) Technical Diploma.

Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma Trackdooley2026-09-17T14:32:50-05:00

Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma Track

543-300 Nursing Assistant ★★

Foundational nursing assistant skills — patient care, communication, safety, and professional practice.

534-302 Nursing Skills ★★

Clinical nursing skills including vital signs, personal care, mobility support, and documentation.

★★ These courses count toward the Gateway Technical College Nursing Assistant (30-543-1) Technical Diploma.

Start College Now (Gateway Campus)dooley2026-09-17T14:35:42-05:00

Start College Now (Gateway Campus)

KTEC students may also enroll directly at Gateway Technical College for general education and science credit — courses that build directly toward nursing and allied health programs.

806-177 General Anatomy and Physiology

Structure and function of the human body — foundational for nearly every healthcare career.

806-179 Advanced Anatomy and Physiology

In-depth study of body systems with clinical applications for healthcare practice.

809-188 Developmental Psychology

Human development across the lifespan — essential context for patient-centered care.

809-196 Introduction to Sociology

Social forces that shape health, illness, and healthcare systems.

809-198 Introduction to Psychology

Foundational principles of human behavior, cognition, and psychological science.

Certifications & Credentials

KTEC Direct Patient Care students graduate with credentials that signal clinical readiness — including two pathway certifications that require age 18 to complete the credentialing exam.

Pathway-Specific Certifications

EMT — WTCS (Emergency Medical Technician)

WTCS / NREMT — must be 18 to sit for the credentialing exam

CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

Wisconsin DHS — must be 18 to sit for the credentialing exam

OSHA 10

OSHA

OSHA 30

OSHA

Certifications Available to All KTEC Students

NC3 Snap-on Multimeter

Snap-on / NC3

NC3 Snap-on Torque

Snap-on / NC3

NC3 Snap-on Precision Measurement

Snap-on / NC3

NC3 Snap-on Tool Identification

Snap-on / NC3

Tormach CNC Fundamentals

Tormach

Introduction to CAD

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Dremel 3D Printing

Dremel

Dremel Laser Cutter

Dremel

Data Analytics I — Harnessing the Power of Data

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3M PPE

3M Professionalism

Work-Based Learning & CTSOs

KTEC students don’t have to wait for graduation to start building a career. Paid work experience with local employers and hands-on trade competitions give them a real head start while they’re still in high school.

Youth Apprenticeship

Healthcare is a field where experience matters as much as credentials. Through Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship program, Direct Patient Care students can earn paid, supervised work experience in a healthcare setting while still in high school — building patient interaction skills, clinical confidence, and professional habits before they ever apply to a nursing program or certification exam. YA hours count toward graduation requirements.

SkillsUSA

Every KTEC pathway is anchored by SkillsUSA — a national career and technical student organization where students develop leadership, teamwork, and professional skills alongside their technical training. SkillsUSA members compete at local, state, and national levels in hands-on contests tied directly to their field.

Post-Secondary Options

A KTEC student completing the Direct Patient Care pathway graduates with more than a diploma — they have college credit, clinical coursework, and a clear path forward, whether they’re heading into the workforce or continuing their education.

Enter the Workforce

Graduate with CNA or EMT coursework complete and sit for credentialing exams at 18 — entering the healthcare workforce with recognized credentials and a head start on career advancement.

Continue at Gateway

Apply KTEC-earned Gateway credits toward the EMT or Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma, or continue into Gateway’s full nursing, allied health, or medical assistant programs.

Transfer to a 4-Year College

KTEC coursework and Gateway science credits — including Anatomy and Physiology — transfer toward nursing, pre-med, public health, and social work programs at Wisconsin universities.

Ready to start this pathway?

Enrollment at KTEC is open to all students in grades 4K–12. No application fee. No academic requirement.

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How To Enroll