---
title: "From High School Directly into the Workforce: One NHA PCT Story"
description: The Healthcare Workforce Coalition developed a case study spotlighting Esteban Ramirez, an NHA-certified Patient Care Technician in Arizona.
image: https://info.nhanow.com/hubfs/OR-10832059449-high-school-to-workforce.webp
---
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# NHA News Center
# From High School Directly into the Workforce: One NHA PCT Story
Posted by [National Healthcareer Association](https://info.nhanow.com/mediacenter/author/national-healthcareer-association) on September 2025
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The Healthcare Workforce Coalition, of which Ascend Learning and NHA are founding members, developed a case study spotlighting Esteban Ramirez, an NHA-certified Patient Care Technician in Arizona.
Esteban got his start in healthcare in high school, enrolling in a career pathway program through Pima JTED in partnership with Tucson Medical Center and NHA. Between hands-on hospital rotations and classroom learning, he built the skills and confidence to earn an industry-recognized credential as a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT). That credential opened the door for him to immediately begin working after high school, directly caring for patients.
Esteban’s story reflects a bigger truth: 85% of healthcare employers say they’re more likely to interview and hire candidates with an industry-recognized certification. Certification programs like these are advancing careers and changing lives while also helping address critical workforce shortages and ensuring patients continue to receive high-quality care.
To read the full case study, [click here](https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/hY89CyPzRzCrNOB0xcZfMtxmJeQ?domain=healthcareworkforce.org/).
Topics: [CPCT certification](https://info.nhanow.com/mediacenter/topic/cpct-certification)
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