Patient Care Assistant - Certificate Program
Eastern Florida State College's Patient Care Assistant certificate program is designed to prepare students for employment as Patient Care Assistants (PCA), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), and Home Health Aides (HHA). The Career and Technical Certificate program also offers supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in any of these occupations who have the prerequisite course work.
The program is one semester in length and begins every fall and spring.
Classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction prepare the student to function as a member of the healthcare team in varied settings and roles. Upon completion of the program, the student will receive a certificate in Patient Care Assistant.
The program's course modules also earn students certificates for Articulated Nursing Assistant, Advanced Home Health Aide, HIV/AIDS, First Aid, Domestic Violence, and Basic Life Support/CPR, with those given as the coursework is completed.
The mission of EFSC nursing programs is to provide accessible, quality education to a diverse group of students for all levels of nursing from PCA to BSN. EFSC nursing programs prepare students to meet individual and community needs while providing quality patient care and modeling civic and ethical behaviors.
Patient Care Assistant - Certificate Program
Program Overview
- Certificate Type
- Career & Technical Certificate (CTC)
- Delivery Method
- On-Campus
- Location
- Melbourne
- Total Clock Hours
- 290
- Academic Community
- Health Sciences
- Contact Information
-
Health Science Advising
Email Advising
321-433-7575
Patient Care Assistant COURSE CURRICULUM
The hands-on curriculum prepares students for the Florida Nursing Assistant Certification Exam and includes learning to perform accurate pulse checks, blood pressure measurements, and other basic healthcare functions. There is also a focus on cooperative care and communicating effectively with patients, family members, and co-workers within a variety of healthcare settings.
How to Apply to the Patient Care Assistant Program
Admission to the Patient Care Assistant program is first-come, first-serve. Students need to complete and submit the general EFSC online application and once accepted, can coordinate course registration with a general EFSC advisor or health sciences advisor.
There is no separate Health Sciences Application needed for this program. Prerequisite classes or placement testing are not required for this program. See the EFSC Admissions steps for additional assistance.
Eastern Florida State College is dedicated to providing a nondiscriminatory environment which promotes equal access, equal educational opportunity, and equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, race, national origin, color, ethnicity, genetic information, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, marital status, veteran status, ancestry, or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.
EFSC recognizes the rights of students and applicants with disabilities, including those with hepatitis B, under the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Brief Costs & Financial Aid Eligibility
The program's tuition and lab fees are approximately $1,116 for a Florida resident. This does not include uniforms, textbooks, and program-specific supplies. As a Career and Technical Certificate program that requires just 290 clock hours of coursework, the Patient Care Assistant program is not eligible for federal financial aid due to its program length. Students can use Florida Bright Futures Scholarships, Florida Prepaid, or the Nelnet Payment Plan toward the tuition and can also apply for Veterans Educational Benefits, Titan Scholarships and outside scholarships. Visit the scholarships area for details on those options.
Courses You Will Take to Earn the Certificate
The Patient Care Assistant CTC includes four clock-hour courses that total 290 hours of time during one semester. Students spend time in the classroom, lab, and on-site clinical experience at a local hospital or rehabilitation center, expanding the hands-on experience to include the nursing home, assisted living, and home health environments.
Entry level course covers basic anatomy & physiology, healthcare delivery & computers, legal, ethical & communication issues, concepts of wellness & disease, infection control, safety, CPR, basic math, & science.
Focuses on caring for geriatric residents in the long-term care setting. Content in the classroom, lab, & clinical setting includes, but is not limited to, nutrition, physical comfort & safety, & personal patient care.
This course meets Florida requirements for Home Health Aide, medical error prevention, & assisting with self-administered medications. It includes training on comfort, safety, nutrition, & infection control.
With clinical experiences at a hospital & rehabilitation unit, content includes the care of patients with acute common health problems, pre- & post-operative patients, & special procedures.
Related Programs
If you are interested in the Patient Care Assistant certificate you may also want to explore these other healthcare options. An advisor can help you narrow your choices and answer questions as you apply.