Health Care Technician (HCC)
Type: Career, Certificate (C1)
Open Admissions
Division: Health and Human Services
This certificate is designed to prepare students for employment as entry-level health care technicians in a variety of health care setting and positions. For those students interested in creating a progression pathway into another health related program/career, the courses may meet some of the recommended or required admission prerequisites, and/or some program requirements in another health related program.
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
If you have advising related questions, please contact healthcare@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4160.
First Year
Fall
| CMP101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| HLS102 | Anatomy & Physiology for Allied Health | 4 |
HLT-ELECTIVE
| Health Technician Elective | 3 |
| PSY102 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Spring
| ALH150 | The Dynamics of Health Care: Personal and Public Issues | 3 |
HLT-ELECTIVE
| Health Technician Elective | 3 |
LA-ELECTIVE
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 |
| PHI120 | Medical Ethics | 3 |
| | |
CMP102-150
| Composition 2 Elective | 3 |
| OR | |
HLT-ELECTIVE
| Health Technician Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Requirement Notes
HLS102: This requirement may be fulfilled by substituting BIO211 and BIO212, which is recommended if interested in creating a pathway for progressing into a health profession associate degree program and/or transfer. Please consult an academic advisor for more information.
Health Technician elective(s) (some vary from 3 credits) - Students should choose from the following:
- Emergency Medical Technician - Basic Certification: EMS104
- Emergency Medical Care(First Responder Certification): EMS102
- Electrocardiography ALH130
- Phlebotomy ALH132
- Certified Nursing Assistant ALH134
- Any approved non-credit health career course(s)/program(s) transferred in through the Center for Alternative Studies (CAS). For a current list of approved noncredit programs, contact CAS or Corporate and Community Education.
Liberal Arts and Composition Elective: If interested in creating a pathway for progressing into another health related program, the following are recommended based on your interest (note: some courses listed below have prerequisites). Please consult an academic advisor for more information.
- Nurse Education NSG - PSY204, CMP102-150, substitute BIO211 and BIO212 for HLS102, any course meeting a NE-Directed elective, or BIO214.
- Occupational Therapy Assistant - OTA - PSY118, CMP102-150, substitute BIO211and BIO212 for HLS102.
- Physical Therapy Assistant PTA - CMP102-150, substitute BIO211 and BIO212 for HLS102, or a HUM-Elective
- Practical Nursing PNR - PSY118, BIO214.
- Radiologic Technology RAD - CMP102-150, CPS100, substitute BIO211 and BIO212 for HLS102, or MAT143.
- Respiratory Care RSP - CHE101, CMP102-150, substitute BIO211 and BIO212 for HLS102, or BIO214.
Program Note
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 28
Program Student Learner Outcomes
- Prepare students for employment as entry-level health care technicians in a variety of health care setting and positions.
- Analyze healthcare delivery at an individual and system level.
- Build a foundation pathway for academic progression in health profession degrees.
Occupational Skills required
- Lift patients and equipment up to 35 pounds
- Carry equipment and objects up to 25 pounds
- Kneel to perform CPR, assist patients who fall and to retrieve items from a storage cabinet
- Stoop, bend and twist to position the examination table and perform transfers
- Safely maintain balance while assisting patients in ambulation and transfer
- Crouch to locate and plug in equipment
- Reach to adjust equipment, to guard patient and to reach supplies
- Endurance to remain continuously on task for several hours
- Physical mobility/ability sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces
- Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care
- Ability to handle equipment such as syringes and blood pressure cuff
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Average Annual Growth (10-Year Projection)
- US - 1.30%
- Boston MSA – 1.20%
- Essex County – 1.20%
- Boston MSA Average Entry-Level Wages (2016) – $33,200
- Boston MSA Median Wages (2016) – $41,300