Patient Care
Program Features
The Patient Care Technician certificate program prepares individuals for a variety of job opportunities in the health occupations area.Graduates may find employment in long-term care facilities, hospitals, laboratories, and clinics where basic bedside nursing skills are required, as well as the skills of phlebotomy and performing electrocardiograms (EKG).
The program consists of classroom/lab instruction and supervised/preceptor clinical activities.
Upon successful completion of this competency-based program, students may be eligible to take certification exams in Phlebotomy, Nursing Assistant, Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician, and/or Patient Care.
Course Objectives
- Phlebotomy Principles
- This course discusses introductory information relative to phlebotomy theory and fundamental phlebotomy skills, which include venipuncture, capillary sticks, infection control procedures, and lab tests that the Phlebotomist may perform.
- Phlebotomy Procedures & Skills
- A 45 hour classroom and 60 hour laboratory practice study of advanced phlebotomy skills and procedures that include laboratory administrative procedures, tube identification, and laboratory equipment usage. Student performance of introductory, fundamental and advanced phlebotomy skills for instructor evaluation in preparation for clinical experiences is included. Students spend an additional 96 hours of supervised preceptor clinical hours in a variety of health care sites in order to obtain the necessary course requirements for a total of 201 clock hours.
- Administrative Procedures
- Discussion of the components of effective client/staff communication, both verbal and nonverbal. Beginning front office activities such as scheduling, insurance, billing and patient/client education methods are covered. Practical application activities are integrated throughout this course.
- EKG Procedures
- This course introduces the student to the electrocardiogram (EKG) purposes and procedures. Students will gain knowledge regarding the normal structure and function of the heart with emphasis on the conduction system. A supervised lab portion is an integral portion of this course and will allow student performance of EKG procedures. This course includes a minimum of 45 hours of clinical externship to be performed by the student under the supervision of a preceptor in a variety of health care settings
- Professionalism for Healthcare Providers
- Identifying and performing skills necessary to secure employment in the health care industry and make immediate and future decisions regarding job choices and educational growth. Selected computer application skills are incorporated into this course.
Entrance Requirements
- 12th grade status
- Successful completion of the Certified Nurse Assistant (C.N.A.) course.
- Current Immunizations, Tuberculosis Skin test and consent to drug screening if required by the clinical facility.
- Current CPR card for Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers
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