Patient Care Technician (PCT)
Certificate
Program Start Date: Fall, Spring and Summer terms
Minimum Program Length: Two (2) terms
Program Description:
This certificate is a credit program taken in the Academic Affairs area. Students in the Patient Care Technician (PCT) Certificate Program learn special advanced foundational skills such as phlebotomy, glucose monitoring, EKG, urinary catheterization, sterile dressing changes and various specimen collections.
Gainful Employment Disclosure information
This program falls under Gainful Employment Disclosure regulations, a
rule by the U.S. Education Department. Each program that falls under these regulations is required to report:
- Occupation, SOC code, and links to profile on O*NET
- Costs – tuition/fees and books/supplies
- On-time graduation (completion) rate for program.
- Job placement rate for students completing program
- Median
loan debt incurred by students as provided by ED (identified separately
as Title IV loan debt and private educational loan debt)
Practical Experience:
Students gain interpersonal, comprehensive technical skills through clinical rotations in affiliated hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities.
Professional Opportunities:
Patient Care Technicians (PCT) may be employed in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitations centers, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The role of the PCT continues to evolve and expand. This profession is a good pathway into nursing or other health care professions. As an unlicensed health care professional, a PCT works under the supervision of physicians and other licensed health care personnel.
Unique Aspects:
Students taking this credit program may be eligible for Lottery Tuition Assistance LTA), scholarships or other financial aid. Check with the SCC Financial Aid Office to determine eligibility for financial aid while taking this program. If you are interested in ONLY receiving CEUs, check with Corporate and Community Education (CCE) to inquire about the availability of the Patient Care Technician courses which are not eligible for financial aid. By the end of the first semester, students must obtain their nursing assistant certification (CNA) from the state of South Carolina in order to register and progress into the second semester of the program. Patient care technicians have excellent job prospects, and opportunities in the field are expected to increase rapidly over the next few years with the changing patient demographics. Patient Care Technicians (PCT) may earn $18,000 - $35,000 annually; depending on the area which he/she goes to work.
EEDA Career Cluster:
Health Sciences
Course Requirements (followed by credit hours):
Prerequisites:
ASSET or COMPASS
A. General Education: None
B. Major Courses:
AHS 101 Introduction to Health Professions (2)
AHS 102 Medical Terminology (3)
AHS 104 Medical Vocabulary/Anatomy (3)
AHS 106 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (1)
AHS 107 Clinical Computations (2)
AHS 143 Phlebotomy Skills (6)
AHS 152 Health Care Procedures II (6)
AHS 163 Long-Term Care (5)
AHS 165 ECG Applications (5)
AHS 170 Fundamentals of Disease (3)
C. Electives and/or Other Additional Courses Required for Graduation:
• No electives required for this program.
• Graduates of the program must be at least 18 years old.
Minimum semester credit hours required for graduation: 36