Patient Care Technician Certificate Program

The Patient Care Technician Certificate Program at HSIR is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as a Patient Care Technician by developing the working knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to perform basic care for patients in a healthcare facility. Students will learn to assist patients in such tasks as grooming, eating, or walking, and will assist nurses in monitoring patients.

Students in a patient care certificate program can expect to participate in a variety of didactic, laboratory, and clinical exercises in which they will learn about the following topics: CPR and first aid, EKG, phlebotomy, measuring vitals, and interacting with patients. Patient Care Technicians provide assistance to patients in hospitals, doctor's offices and nursing homes. A Patient Care Technician is mainly focused on working closely with patients; in conjunction with nurses they help perform basic care for patients, such as assisting them in using the restroom, serving meals or changing bedding.

Upon completion of the program the student will be eligible to sit for the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Patient Care Technician certification examination.

Applicants are required to:

• High School Graduate or GED
• Minimum of 18 years of age at the time of enrollment
• Meet with an academic advisor
• If internal applicant; must be a full time employed with DHR, minimum 1 year
• Submit a completed non-refundable application fee for admission to the HSIR. The application fee is $100.
• Complete all school and program prerequisites by first day of entry semester
• Submit official transcripts from all institutions in which the student has enrolled
• BLS certification required by first day of entry semester
• Medical malpractice insurance required by first day of entry semester

NOTE: Please follow general admission requirements in addition to specific program requirements.

Students must meet and comply with all HSIR clinical standards including immunizations and background check as well as general admission requirements.

The length of time required to complete the Patient Care Technician Certificate Program is approximately 32 weeks.