Patient Care Assistant Certificate (PC21)

The Patient Care Assistant certificate program prepares students with rigorous classroom training and practice as well as the clinical experiences to perform a full range of patient care duties or services under nursing or medical direction. This includes taking vital signs, obtaining lab specimens, assisting with activities of daily living, observing and charting patient information, and reporting appropriate information to supervisors. It may also include providing various outreach services to clients within the community. Students who successfully complete the Patient Care Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit may be eligible to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment program (NNAAP), which determines competency to become enrolled in the State nurse aide registry.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may find entry-level employment as patient care assistants in hospitals, nursing care facilities, home health care services, and community care.

Credit Required for Completion: 23 credit hours

Curriculum

Occupational Courses

ALHS 1011	Structure and Function of the Human Body	5
ALHS 1040	Introduction to Health Care	3
ALHS 1060	Diet and Nutrition for Allied Health Sciences	2
ALHS 1090	Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences	2
COMP 1000	Introduction to Computers	3
EMPL 1000	Interpersonal Relations and Professional Development	2
NAST 1100	Nurse Aide Fundamentals	6

*A student who completes NAST 1100 is eligible to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program written/oral and skills competency exam and, if successful, may become a Certified Nurse Aide.