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Patient Care Assistant Courses, Training Programs and Schools
Patient Care Assistant Courses, Training Programs and Schools
Your training options for becoming a patient care assistant include certificate programs. Find out what you'd study in these programs, and review the licensure requirements for patient care assistants. Get info on earning certification in this field. Explore the job duties of patient care assistants in detail.
What You Need to Know
A patient care assistant works with patients under the supervision of a licensed nurse or physician. In the position, you will take vital signs, assist with personal hygiene, record changes in patient health and order supplies, as well as perform other duties delegated by the supervising medical professional. Your work expands on the traditional roles of a home health aide or certified nursing assistant, and you will be able to work in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Courses</b> </td><td> Medical Terminology, Nutrition, Anatomy, Echocardiography, Bloodwork, Basic Health Care Techniques, Patient Interaction and Communication.</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Licensing</b> </td><td> National Nurse's Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Responsibilities</b> </td><td> Take vital signs, assist with personal hygiene, record changes in patient health and order supplies</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhereWillIGetTheTrainingINeed">Where Will I Get the Training I Need?</h3><p>Some certificate programs can provide you with the training necessary to become a patient care assistant or patient care technician. Your program may prepare you to complete the National Nurse's Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), which is a nurse aide certification program. You will find these types of programs through community and vocational colleges. Some of these schools include:
</p><ul><li>Augusta Technical College
</li><li>Collin College
</li><li>Lone Star College
</li><li>Dona Ana Community College
</li><li>Bunker Hill Community College
</li><li>Community College of Baltimore County
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhichCoursesWillITake">Which Courses Will I Take?</h3><p>Your program may include coursework that overlaps with that of a nursing assistant or home health aide program. You will likely take courses in basic health care techniques, patient interaction and communication. Completing clinical hours will also be part of your program. Your training may also include medical terminology, nutrition and anatomy. Specific courses you can expect to take include:
</p><ul><li>Phlebotomy
</li><li>Electrocardiography
</li><li>Body systems
</li><li>Diet and nutrition
</li><li>Home health aide
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WillINeedALicense">Will I Need a License?</h3><p>Licensure and certification requirements vary by state. Some states will require that you pass the NNAAP exam and/or be licensed as a certified nurse aide (CNA). You may need a license depending on the facility where you work. To work as a home health aide for a company that accepts Medicare or Medicaid, you may need training based on the guidelines of the U.S. government. If becoming a patient care assistant is the first step in your career, you may want to seek certification.
</p><h3 id="section---HowCanIBecomeCertified">How Can I Become Certified?</h3><p>You can become certified by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To be eligible to take the certification exam, you will need to have completed a patient care assistant or patient care technician training program, or you will need to have one year of experience in the field. The 100 multiple-choice exam will include questions on the composition of cells, tissue and organs, use of equipment, controlling the spread of infection, venipuncture techniques and electrocardiograph procedures.</p>
