Patient Care Assistant Overview (5233)
Type of Award
CCP - Career Certificate Program
Program Website
www.palmbeachstate.edu/career-pathways/pathway-health/default.aspx
Program Description
This CCP program offers a broad foundation of knowledge and skills, expanding the traditional role of the nursing assistant. Students can begin their health careers by enrolling in the Patient Care Assistant program. This is the first step on the nursing or health care career ladder.
The Patient Care Assistant curriculum integrates classroom with clinical performance. Course content includes basic concepts in health science, nursing assistant, home health aide and patient care assisting.
Program Accreditation
This program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
Program Learning Outcomes
For detailed information, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/learningoutcomes/Program-Learning-Outcomes
Admission Requirements
- Complete an Application for Admission, located at www.palmbeachstate.edu/admissions/Admissions-Applications
- No high school diploma or GED is required.
- View a mandatory electronic Patient Care Assistance (PCA) information session at the following link: www.palmbeachstate.edu/career-pathways/pathway-health.aspx (click on information session in the green toolbar)
- Receive 100% passing score on the PCA quiz presented during the Electronic information session.
- Students must complete a Controlled Access Application and are conditionally accepted once they have completed the process. Students will receive a conditional acceptance email from the Health Science Program Specialist (sent to the students Palm Beach State College email) which will include a welcome packet with information regarding additional requirements that must be met by a specific deadline.
- For additional information regarding admission requirements refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.
Completion Requirements
Students must successfully complete all courses listed in the catalog for this program.
For more details about graduation requirements please refer to the Graduation section of this catalog.
Program Length
Approximate length: 3 1/2 months. Program is offered as a full-time day program (Spring, Summer and Fall terms) and a full-time evening program (Spring, and Fall Terms)
Location
The program is offered at the Lake Worth campus.
For More Information
Rhonda Boles, Health Science Program Specialist, bolesr@palmbeachstate.edu, (561) 868-3441
Palm Beach State College Advising Office (561) 868-3602 or nursing@palmbeachstate.edu
Employment Opportunities
Students who complete this program may provide patient care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation clinics or private homes.
Career Path Notes
The Patient Care Assistant program is designed to have multiple career options. Students who complete the program will have a base on which more complex skills can be added.
Students who complete the program will receive certificates in nursing assisting (75 hours) (CNA), home health aide (50 hours) (HHA) and patient care assisting (75 hours) (PCA) and will be eligible to take the Florida Certification Exam for Nursing Assistants.
Career Center
http://www.palmbeachstate.edu/Career
For more information about employment opportunities including job outlook and salary information visit: Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/ooh
O-Net Online: www.onetonline.org
Required courses:
Required Courses (Clock Hours: 290)
Group A
HSC0003 | Health Care Concepts (CCP) | 78 Clock Hours |
HSC0003L | Health Care Concepts Lab (CCP) | 12 Clock Hours |
HCP0300 | Home Health Aide (CCP) | 75 Clock Hours |
Group B
HCP0120 | Nursing Assistant (CCP) | 75 Clock Hours |
Group C
HCP0620 | Patient Care Assistant (CCP) | 50 Clock Hours |
Total Credit Hours: 290
Course Sequence
Term One - Spring (Year One) (Clock Hours: 290)
HSC0003 | Health Care Concepts (CCP) | 78 Clock Hours |
HSC0003L | Health Care Concepts Lab (CCP) | 12 Clock Hours |
HCP0300 | Home Health Aide (CCP) | 75 Clock Hours |
HCP0120 | Nursing Assistant (CCP) | 75 Clock Hours |
HCP0620 | Patient Care Assistant (CCP) | 50 Clock Hours |
Total Credit Hours: 290