Patient Care Technician
This program is designed to prepare students for employment as Advanced Nursing Assistants, Health Care Technicians, Home Health Aides, Phlebotomists, Electrocardiograph Aides, Allied Health Assistants or Patient Care Technicians. This program also provides supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in any of these occupations.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Patient Care Technician Program is to prepare students for employment in health care facilities and to provide updated training for persons currently or previously employed in the health care field.
Requirements for Admission
- Minimum age of 18 years
- Complete the TABE test (Test of Adult Basic Education). In order to receive a Certificate of Completion, a minimum score of 10.0 must be obtained in reading, language and math.
- Meet immunization (MMR, Tetanus, Hepatitis B series and TB) and medical exam requirements.
- CPR Certification: Card C (for health care providers) may be obtained after admission, but is required to receive a certificate of completion.
If you are interested in the Patient Care Technician Program and have been convicted of a felony, securing employment in the health field will be extremely difficult.
Estimated Cost
The cost for this course is $2.66 per 600 clock hours for a total of $1,596.00, a $150.00 lab fee per semester, and estimated $150.00 for the textbook. This amount does not cover liability insurance, supplies, shoes, uniforms, a watch with a sweep second hand, physical examination, and immunization shots as required. Students need to show proof that they are covered by health and accident insurance or have some arrangement for payment of health care while in clinical areas. CPR Certification is required to receive a certificate of completion. Pell Grant available.
Licensure
Upon successful completion of the Patient Care Assistant Program, students must apply to take the CNA State Certification exam. The minimum grade level required by the state for program completers is 10.0 in reading, language, and math.
Adult Courses and Clock Hours
The occupations and the associated courses included in this program are:
| OCP | Course Number | OCP Title | OCP Hours |
| A | HSC0003 | Basic Healthcare Worker | 90 Clock Hours |
| B | HCP0121 | Nurse Aide & Orderly (articulated) | 75 Clock Hours |
| C | HCP0332 | Advanced Home Health Aide | 50 Clock Hours |
| D | HCP0020 | Patient Care Assistant | 75 Clock Hours |
| E | HSC0016 | Allied Health Assistant | 150 Clock Hours |
| F | MEA0580 | Advanced Allied Health Assistant | 100 Clock Hours |
| G | PRN0094 | Patient Care Technician | 60 Clock Hours |
Special Admission Requirements
All health occupation programs (Patient Care Technician and Practical Nursing) have special admission requirements. Individual application forms can be acquired from Student Services (see Registration page 4). Incomplete applications will not be accepted. All LPN applicants must have a high school diploma or GED diploma. All applications are screened by the Patient Care Technician and Practical Nursing entrance committees and students are admitted based on a point system. Interviews are scheduled to determine the rank order of alternates for both programs. Prospective students must have a clear FDLE criminal background check. (NOTE: if adjudication is withheld on a disqualifying offense, it is disqualifying. Some of the disqualifying are misdemeanors and some are felonies.)
Course Competencies
The student will achieve the following skills by the end of the 600 course clock hours:
- Communication Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Health Care Delivery
- Knowledge of Health Occupations
- Legal and Ethical Responsibilities
- Wellness and Disease Concepts
- Safety and Security Procedures
- Infection Control Procedures
- Employability Skills
- HIV/AIDS Awareness
- CPR
- Basic Math and Science Skills
- Terminology
- Body Mechanics
- Transfers
- Cardiovascular System
- Physical Hygiene
- 12 Lead EKG
- Basic Physical Therapy
- Various Medical Instrumentation Skills
- Clinicals
