Patient Care Technician (PCT)

The student will train in the area of Nurse Assistant, Patient Care Assistant/ Home Health Aide, EKG, and Phlebotomy. The student will demonstrate the following elements of the health care industry: planning, management and technical skills. The student will be able to perform patient care, vital signs, a 12-lead EKG, and draw blood for testing.

A great deal of emphasis is placed upon students’ theoretical and clinical proficiency and job Search assistance is provided, so that the student may find employment opportunities to meet their unique needs. Instructors are available to offer special help to students as needed. Students are encouraged to enhance their capabilities and be motivated to meet their personal goals in a positive, caring atmosphere, where graduation expectations begin the first day of class. National Patient Safety Standards and Quality Measures are incorporated throughout.

1. To prepare students to have allied health skills in addition to all other caretaking skills appropriate for Nurse Assistants, so they may access the wide variety of health care career opportunities.
2. To develop critical thinking, knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to providing care in specialized settings, which include the occupational levels of Nurse Assistant, Patient Care Assistant, EKG skills, as well as one allied health modules of the student’s choice: Phlebotomy skills, or Home Health Aide.
3. To prepare graduates to care for clients across the lifespan in diverse healthcare delivery systems.
4. To be prepared to give care to patients in the home, in long term care, in nursing homes, in acute hospitals, in out-patient and rehab settings, as well as Adult Living Facilities and Physician’s Offices.
5. To prepare students to successfully obtain and maintain employment in a wide variety of health care settings.
6. To prepare students to take the State of Florida Nurse Assistant Certification Exam.

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will be able to:

• Provide basic patient care — bathing, feeding, catheter care, etc.
• Acquire, distribute and administer patient care supplies
• Perform safety checks and ensure cleanliness in patient rooms
• Accommodate the special needs of patients accordingly
• Obtain EKG readings and monitor vital signs
• Perform phlebotomy procedures
• Provide emotional support to patients and families, particularly coping with grief and death

Programs are open to individuals who have a sincere desire for education and career development. PBC – School of Allied Health Sciences admits applicants from all cultural, racial, religious, and ethnic groups and does not deny admission or discriminate based on race, age, creed, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, or national origin. Applicants are enrolled based on full compliance with requirements as described in this catalog.

Individuals interested in attending PBC – School of Allied Health Sciences must meet with the school admission representative. Applicants will receive a tour of the facilities at the time of the visit. If the person decides to enroll, they will complete an Enrollment Agreement and be referred to the Finance department.

Students receive the same information and orientation; however, the clinical externship component of the program requires a rotating schedule. This has been designed to afford each student equal opportunities to benefit from the various clinical experiences.

The school recognizes that students choose their sessions to accommodate domestic obligations (family or work). However, specific examinations, events, externships/clinical, and make-up days must be held on weekends or other times than the student’s preferred schedule. Therefore, the students must be prepared to adjust their schedules to comply with the requirements of their program and its externship/clinical requirements.

General Admission Requirements

All correspondence concerning admission should be sent to:

For more information, students may call the admissions office at 772-882-4032. Students are admitted to the School prior to the Fall, Spring, Winter and Summer terms.

All applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission into PBC – School of Allied Health Sciences:

1. Be a minimum of 17 years of age; or, if under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the enrollment application. Additionally, the applicant must turn 18 prior to entering externship.
2. Complete an admission application and return it to our admission office, along with the application fee $ 100.
3. *Provide evidence of high school diploma, high school certification, or GED. All applicants must show proof of graduation from an accredited high school or have completed a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Official high school transcripts (in a sealed envelope) and/or GED must be provided to the School Registrar’s Office or the Admission Director prior to enrollment, but no later than 30 days after the start of the initial semester of enrollment.
4. Transfer applicants must provide official transcripts from all schools attended no later than 30 days after the start day of their first semester of enrollment at PBC – School of Allied Health Sciences. Transfer student must show a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (on 4.0 scale). Transfer credits from national or regional approved institutions will be evaluated and credited after enrollment at PBC – School of Allied Health Sciences.
5. Submit documentation of English Proficiency (for student whose native language is not English). Student enrolling in a Diploma or a Degree Program is required to demonstrate the ability to read and write in Standard English. Evidence of such level of English Proficiency may be established by transcripts of prior study from English speaking school; scores on the school entrance exams, personal interviews and/or by special demonstrations orally or in writing.
6. **Take the TABE test or equivalent and pass with a minimum score of 11.0 to assess the student’s math, reading and comprehension abilities.
7. Complete and sign an Enrollment Agreement, and provide photo identification.
8. Provide a non-refundable registration fee of $150 prior to enrollment.

*PBC reserves the right to deny enrollment, if the School deems that an applicant’s proof of graduation cannot be authenticated or verified.

Students are expected to maintain the standards of the school in academic, professional and personal achievement.

Orientation will be conducted prior to the start of the class, and an institution catalog is given to each student.

Prior to registering, a student should have on file in the Records Office the following:

1. A completed admissions application;
2. Transcripts of all previous Institution attended, if applicable;
3. Proof of high school completion; official transcripts (in a sealed envelope) must be sent to the PBC – School of Allied Health Sciences Records Office.

Note:

1. The applicant is responsible for providing verifiable proof of graduation from high school, or proof of having satisfied the requirements for high school in a manner recognized by the United States Department of Education.
2. Academic transcript that indicates the student successfully completed at least a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s degree at any institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
3. Foreign high school diploma equivalent to a United States high school diploma.
4. If an applicant previously entered a program in a degree-granting institution for which a high school diploma was required, the School may accept an evaluation from a NACES or AICE approved credentialing agency certifying that a high school diploma was a requirement for the higher degree program.
5. The Campus Director monitors the progress of all students. The students are evaluated on a continual basis.
6. PBC reserves the right to deny enrollment, if the School deems that an applicant’s proof of graduation cannot be authenticated or verified.
7. Students are expected to maintain the standards of the school in academic, professional and personal achievement.
8. Orientation will be conducted prior to the start of the class, and an institute catalog is given to each student.
9. The school does not discriminate regarding age, race, sexual preference, gender, color, creed, religion, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin in the acceptance and admission of students.

Additional Admission Requirements

The Patient Care Technician Program has specific requirements for admission. Students must:

• Be at least 17 years of age;
• Apply and be accepted to PBC – School of Allied Health Sciences;
• Complete an application;
• Have a High School Diploma or GED;
• Take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). TABE score must be at or above minimum level: Language11; Math10 and Reading11.
• Have BLS & HIV/AIDS certifications;
• Submit a criminal background check and a disposition of any criminal offenses and drug screening. This is not an admissions requirement. However, nursing students are included in criminal background checks when required by state law, regulation or the policies of hospitals and other healthcare facilities. All students should be prepared to do a criminal background check prior to their clinicals;
• Provide proof of a negative TB skin test or chest X-Ray (if required)

*Note: Minimum passing scores are subject to change as a result of evidence based findings, best practices and program outcomes. Failure to complete and pass the TABE assessment shall result in the student being administratively withdrawn from the nursing program. Students administratively withdrawn for failure to complete/pass the TABE on the second attempt may not be considered for re-entry.

Delivery Mode

This program is on campus.

Program Minimum Hours Requirements

The minimum clock hours required for graduation: 605

Graduation Requirements

A diploma will be issued to each student who successfully completes the program requirements and satisfies graduation requirements below:

• Student has a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Student has completed and passed all required externship hours
• Student is current with financial obligations to the School
• Student has met with the Career Services department for assistance with job placement or provides documentation of employment
• Student has completed an Exit Interview
• Student has completed the Graduation Clearance form and submitted it to the Registrar at least 60 days before the last day of class

The Bursar is responsible for managing students’ accounts, as well as payment plans, adjustments, refunds, and credits.

TUITION, FEES, AND COSTS

Program Costs Disclosure: The program price includes only one instance of each item. Students are responsible for any cost incurred more than once, such as retaking exams, reapplication of exams, reevaluations, additional background checks, additional vaccines and health clearance requirements, supplies (scrubs, etc.), books, or any materials lost by the student that need to be repurchased/replaced.

* Estimated Book and Material may vary based on potential transfer credits, new vs used books, electronic devices, and other services used. Please refer to your enrollment packet for additional information.

*Note: Classes scheduled on holidays will be made up in other regularly scheduled classes unless otherwise noted on individual course syllabi. The calendar dates are subject to change.