Patient Care Technician Certificate
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Because health care is changing at an unprecedented pace, new or varied approaches to patient care are emerging. One such approach is the use of multi-skilled individuals known as patient care technicians (PCT) who are a part of the health care team.
Graduates of the program will be qualified to work under the supervision of licensed professional personnel and alongside other health care providers in a variety of settings. Graduates will hold CNA certification and be qualified to sit for the National Certified Patient Care Technician (NCPCT) exam and the National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT) exam at the completion of the course and prior to graduation. Students will hold a certification in nursing assistant, patient care technician and phlebotomy. Employment opportunities are available in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, long term care and assisted living facilities, hospice, home health as well as other healthcare facilities.
In addition to basic patient care skills, the PCT curriculum includes medical and surgical asepsis, basic anatomy and physiology, cardiac monitoring, electrocardiography, phlebotomy, clerical skills related to patient care and professional and interpersonal concepts. The program consists of classroom/lab instruction as well as supervised/preceptor
clinical activities.
Diversity, challenge, autonomy, professional growth and flexible work schedules are just a few of many rewards which a PCT can enjoy. The patient care technician can experience personal satisfaction from providing a valuable service and develop strong rapport with patients and professionals. A Patient Care Technician certificate and certification can be the beginning pathway to other health care professions.
Admission: Health Science programs have special program admission criteria which must be completed prior to applying for the clinical phase of the program. A student may be admitted to the college at any time in order to complete prerequisite and general education coursework. For more detailed information, please go to the Health Science and Nursing Resources.
Program Location: Newberry
Contact Information: Shelley Hood
Required Courses
View Allied Health Course Descriptions >>
Day Program
| PROGRAM-READY COURSES | Credit Hours | |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3.0 |
| MAT 152 |
Elementary Algebra or appropriate placement test scores |
5.0 |
| AHS 102 | Medical Terminology | 3.0 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES | Credit Hours | |
| BIO 112 | Basic Anatomy and Physiology | 4.0 |
| FIRST SEMESTER* | Credit Hours | |
| AHS 108 | Nutrition | 3.0 |
| AHS 126 | Health Calculations | 1.0 |
| AHS 128 | Health Sciences Introduction | 4.0 |
| AHS 106 | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation | 1.0 |
| AHS 205 | Ethics and Law for Allied Health Professions | 3.0 |
| SECOND SEMESTER | Credit Hours | |
| AHS 139 | Principles of Expanded Patient Care | 3.0 |
| AHS 145 | Electrocardiography | 2.0 |
| AHS 176 | Patient Care Clerical Principles | 4.0 |
| AHS 141 | Phlebotomy | 3.0 |
| SUMMER TERM | Credit Hours | |
| AHS 142 | Phlebotomy II | 2.0 |
| AHS 116 | Patient Care Relations | 3.0 |
| AHS 175 | Multi-Skilled Clinical Practicum | 4.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: 37.0 | ||
* Major Studies Courses: Completion of the Patient Care Technician Certificate requires three (3) semesters upon acceptance to the major studies course work.
Updated 4/18/2012
Advisement Information
• Completion of the Patient Care program requires three semesters once accepted into the program. Twenty-five students are accepted each year to begin clinical courses in the fall semester.
• Clinical courses are offered in the day only at the Newberry Campus.
• In the first semester of Patient Care, the student is prepared with coursework as well as clinical experience for CNA certification. The student MUST be CNA certified in order to attend the final (summer) semester to be eligible to sit for certification as a Patient Care Technician and graduate.
• Patient Care Techs will be prepared to assist with transport, nutrition, physical therapy procedures, and various central supply procurements. They will have ward secretary skills as well as being able to perform EKGs and monitor various type screens.
• Most recent grads are working as ward secretaries but could also do phlebotomy in doctors’ offices, hospital labs or lab corps. Approximate salary for recent grads is $10/hr to start.
• Requirements for Clinical Entry: To be eligible to apply for clinical entry, student must have successful completion of Medical Terminology (AHS 102), English Composition I (ENG 101), and Elementary Algebra (MAT 152) with a 2.0 GPA or better. Students may exempt out of MAT 152 with appropriate math placement test scores. Basic Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 112) should be completed before clinical entry. The biology course may be repeated only once to achieve a grade of "C" or better.
• College placement test scores may indicate a student's need for developmental or prerequisite courses prior to higher level college courses. These courses should be completed before progression into required Program-Ready courses. It is also highly recommended that students take Ethics and Law for Health Professionals (AHS 205) while taking Program-Ready and General Education courses.
• A minimum 2.0 GPA is required for progression once in the clinical stage of the program. Students in the clinical program will only have one opportunity to repeat a failed or withdrawn semester. Two failed or withdrawn semesters will make the student ineligible to continue in the clinical program.
• Physical and Mental Standards: It is recommended that students explore their reaction to all kinds of body fluids, unpleasant odors, and dangerous/contagious diseases. Students must be in adequate physical and mental condition to participate and function within the program and clinical environment. Read the Physical and Mental Standards chart for more information.
• Background Check and Drug Screening: Students are required to have an initial criminal background check and drug screening upon acceptance into the clinical phase of the program. This cost is borne to the student and is currently $80.85. A positive report on either may prevent the student from being accepted by a clinical facility which will not allow the student to progress in the program or take the licensure exam. Additional drug screenings will occur throughout the clinical program as requested by the clinical facility. The cost of these screenings will also be borne to the student.
• Health Requirements and Immunizations: Students accepted into the clinical courses will be required to provide written documentation to the Health Records Assistant of the following: physical exam completed within one year; two-step Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) upon admission, then an annual one-step TST thereafter; two Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) and Varicella immunizations or positive titers; three Hepatitis B immunizations or a positive titer; Tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years; annual Influenza vaccine recommended.
• CPR and Hospital Orientation: All students will be required to have CPR certification by the date of their first clinical. All accepted students will have the opportunity to take CPR training (AHS 106) and receive proper certification determined by the program coordinator. Students that plan to seek certification outside of the college must have Healthcare Provider training through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. A copy of certification must be submitted to the department's Health Records Assistant. Yearly attendance at the Hospital Orientation presented on campus is mandatory.
• Program Costs: In addition to tuition, fees, and books, other costs may include but are not limited to uniforms, lab supplies, malpractice insurance, licensure preparation, membership dues, and graduation fees. Initial cost upon clinical acceptance, excluding college tuition, fees, and books, could be as much as $1,000.
Advisement Information updated 3/12/2012