Patient Care Assistant

Patient Care Assistant Program

EFSC'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). It 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, begins every fall and spring, and is located on the Melbourne campus.

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.

Certificates for Articulated Nursing Assistant, Advanced Home Health Aide, HIV/AIDS, First Aid, Domestic Violence, and BLS/CPR will be given upon completion of these modules. During course work, the student is prepared for the Florida Nursing Assistant Certification Exam.

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. Prerequisite classes or placement testing are not required for this program.

MAJOR COURSES                                       Clock Hours Needed: 290

HCP 0020 Patient Care Assistant ............................................... 75

HCP 0621 Articulated Nursing Assistant ................................... 75

HCP 0332 Advanced Home Health Aide .................................... 50

HSC 0003 Basic Healthcare Worker ........................................... 90

                                                               TOTAL CLOCK HOURS: 290

Note: A grade of "C" or higher is necessary in each course for progression and graduation. View the official curriculum.