Degree and Certificate Programs

Health Care

Patient Care Technician (5707)

Workforce Credit Certificate Program

The patient care technician program is a cluster of planned, sequenced instruction designed to prepare a cross-trained, unlicensed health care worker. Students are prepared to function as advanced patient care givers under the supervision of the registered nurse. The program consists of the following components and exit points:

• Health careers core (HCP 0001)-This introductory health course is a prerequisite for all other programs.
• Nursing assistant (HCP 0001 and HCP 0102C)-Nursing Assistants are educationally trained to provide patient care services under the supervision of physicians and nurses in the hospital, nursing home and home health settings.
• Home health aide (HCP 0001 and HCP 0312)-A home health aide is one of the fastest growing occupations and educationally prepared to assist patients in the home environment under the supervision of nurses and home health care agencies.
• Patient care assistant (HCP 0001, HCP 0102C, HCP 0312 or HCP 0311, and HCP 0620)-Patient care assistants are multi-trained and the field is rapidly growing.Minimal education requirements will help prepare graduates for entry-level employment. Certification and experience as a patient care assistant are beneficial for entry into other nursing professions.
• Electrocardiograph aide (HCP 0001 and HCP 0720)-An electrocardiograph aide is an individual who is skilled in performing electrocardiographs in a variety of health care facilities. Completers of this program assist physicians, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses with patient care.
• Phlebotomist (HCP 0001 and HCP 0402)-A phlebotomist is an individual who is skilled in performing phlebotomy in a variety of health care facilities. Completers of this program assist physicians, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses with patient care.
• Allied health assistant (HCP 0001 and HCP 0760)-An individual who has acquired a variety of nursing related skills through formal education and laboratory training. Completers of this program assist with patient care in a variety of health care facilities working with registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
• Patient care technician (HCP 0001, HCP 0102C, HCP 0312 or HCP 0311, HCP 0620, HCP 0760, HCP 0402, HCP 0720 and HCP 0796)-Patient care technicians are multi-trained individuals who have been educationally prepared to provide patient care services under the supervision of physicians, nurses and home health agencies in hospitals, nursing homes and home health settings.

Following the core, each component is completed sequentially, through the patient care assistant course, although the electrocardiograph, phlebotomist and allied health assistant courses can be taken in any sequence. All courses must be completed in order to enroll in the patient care technician course. This program expands the traditional role of the nursing assistant, providing a broad foundation of knowledge and skills to be applied to the care of the patients in hospitals, nursing homes and in their homes. For information call 904.766.6581.

Course Number and Title	Contact Hours	Workforce Credits
Professional Courses
*VPI 0100 Reading Skills
*VPI 0200 Mathematical Skills
*VPI 0300 Language Skills
**HCP 0001 Health Careers Core 90 3.00
HCP 0102C Nursing Assistant  OR HCP 0312 Home Health Aide B	75	2.50
HCP 0311 Home Health Aide A	50	1.50
HCP 0620 Patient Care Assistant	75	2.50
HCP 0720 Electrocardiograph Aide	75	2.50
HCP 0402 Phlebotomist	75	2.50
HCP 0760 Allied Health Assistant	100	3.50
***HCP 0796 Patient Care Technician	60	2.00
Total Contact Hours	600	20.00

*Students who have satisfactory test scores are not required to take these courses.
**HCP 0001, Health Careers Core must be taken before entering any of the modules.
***All courses must be completed prior to enrolling in this course.