Patient Care Technician Certificate

Go to Division of Professional Studies   for more information.

Department Contact:

Division of Professional Studies Dean: Dr. Julie Warnick

PCT Director: Ms. Vicki Davis 

Program Description:

Patient Care Technicians are allied health professionals who provide direct patient care within their regulated scope of practice. They perform basic nursing assistant tasks (as delegated by the nursing or medical staff) which may include obtaining patient vital signs and other data, communicating with the healthcare team and patients, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), complying with confidentiality requirements, and performing ECGs and phlebotomy tasks. 

 

The Patient Care Technician program prepares students to assist physicians and nurses by providing basic and advanced clinical duties in a medical environment. This 16-week Patient Care Technician certificate program provides comprehensive training in the areas of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, Phlebotomy, Electrocardiography and Fundamentals of Patient Care. Additionally, students will learn to recognize the importance of safety and compliance and comprehend the role of patient care in a healthcare setting. 

 

Patient Care Technicians primarily work under the supervision of a nurse but may occasionally work under the supervision of a provider such as a physician. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Apply anatomy/physiology and medical terminology knowledge where applicable to patient and provider clinical interactions and administrative tasks.  

• Perform basic patient physical care responsibilities including bathing, feeding, catheter care, etc., physiological, emotional, and spiritual support to patients of all age groups and within a variety of healthcare settings. 

• Distinguish between assisting with patient movement including bed and wheelchair transfers, and use of assistive devices. 

• Demonstrate skills related to phlebotomy and electrocardiography. 

• Demonstrate skills related to workplace safety, infection control, handwashing, and use of personal protective-equipment (PPE). 

• Exhibit the use of relevant technology in the implementation of patient care while maintaining compliance with laws related to Protected Health Information (PHI) 

• Develop and exercise emotional intelligence, self-management, and inter-personal skills. 

• Function effectively as a member of the health care team by exhibiting soft-skills expectations of an allied healthcare professional. 

 

Tracks:

It is anticipated that the Certificate will have three main “Tracks”: Incumbent Model; Traditional Workforce Development Model; and High School Model. 

INCUMBENT MODEL	TRADITIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MODEL	HIGH SCHOOL MODEL
Designed for current employees of healthcare facilities where they will be employed while pursuing the Patient Care Technician Certificate	Designed for unemployed / under-employed individuals who desire to start into healthcare careers	High school students would be eligible to complete courses 1 and 2 during their Senior Year of school, and then complete the remaining four courses upon graduation
Employer covers tuition	Funding sources (as noted above) would cover tuition	Funding for tuition could be covered by Career Link ($400 per student while in high school and additional once graduated) and / or by the high schools that receive funding for Dual Enrollment

Admission Requirements:

See Division of Professional Studies for admission requirements.

Estimated Completion Time:

This is an 18 credit, certificate program that can be completed in one year. 

Total Credits Required:

18 credits