PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN

 

Program’s Mission Statement:

 

The Robert Morgan Educational Center Patient Care Technician Program’s mission is to facilitate productivity by preparing students for employment as advanced, cross-trained assistants in Nursing, Home Health, Electrocardiography, Monitor Technician, Phlebotomy Aide and Allied Health Assisting.

 

Program Content

 

This program is designed to prepare students for employment as advanced, cross-trained nursing assistants (called Patient Care Technicians, PCT’s, by the industry), Health Care Technicians, Patient Care Assistants, Nursing Aides and Orderlies, Home Health Aides, Phlebotomist, Electrocardiograph Aides, or Allied Health Assistants and to provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in any of these occupations.  This program offers a broad foundation of knowledge and skills, expanding the traditional role of the Nursing Assistant, for both acute and long term care settings.

 

Entrance Requirements

 

¹    16 years of age or older who are not currently enrolled in another Miami-Dade County Public School

¹    Students entering clinical experience MUST complete a physical examination before beginning clinical experience

¹    Students entering clinical areas are required to be in the approved uniform with appropriate accessories (watch, stethoscope, scissors)

 

 

Program Length

 

The entire program is 600 hours, but  it is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of seven occupational completion points.

The Health science Core is required for all health programs and options. Students who have previously completed the Health Science Core will not have to repeat the core. A student who completes the applicable competencies at any occupational completion point may either continue with the training program or exit as an occupational completer.

 

OCP A (Basic Health Core Worker) (CORE)

              90 hours

OCP B (Articulated Nursing Assistant) 75 hours

OCP C (Advanced Home Health Aide) 50 hours

OCP D (Patient Care Assistant) 75 hours

OCP E (Allied Health Assistant-

               Electrocardiograph  Aide & 

               Monitor Tech.) 150 hours

OCP F (Advanced Allied Health Assistant-

              Phlebotomist Aide)100 hours

OCP G (Patient Care Technician) 60 hours

 

Minimum basic-skills grade levels required for awarding a Full Program Completion Certificate  are 10th grade in Math, Reading, and Language on the TABE Test

 

Employment Opportunities

 

Upon completion of the Articulated Nursing Assistant completion point, students are encouraged to write the state examination for certification as a nursing assistant (C.N.A.).  Certificates are issued for each completion point and a Certificate of Completion is issued upon completion of the P.C.T. program.  Graduates of this program may work in a multidisciplinary health agency, clinic or private home.

 

*** Upon completion of the Articulated Nursing  Assistant competencies, the student may transfer to the Practical Nursing Program, but must meet the requirements for that program: pass the TEAS entrance exam, and had maintained a 77% grade average.

 

Salary

 

Patient care technicians’ salaries range form $8.94 to $12.93 per hour.

The job placement rate for graduates actively seeking employment is about 96 percent.