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Patient Care Assistant, TCC (PC21)  Technical Certificate of Credit

Campus Locations: Valdosta, Ben Hill Irwin, Coffee, High School, Cook

The Certified Nursing Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit prepares students with rigorous classroom training and practice as well as the clinical experiences to perform a full range of patient care duties or services under nursing or medical direction. This includes taking vital signs, obtaining lab specimens, assisting with activities of daily living, observing and charting patient information, and reporting appropriate information to supervisors. It may also include providing various outreach services to clients within the community. Federal and state government requirements exist for nursing aides who work in nursing care facilities. In Georgia, aides must complete a minimum of 85 hours of state-approved training and pass a competency evaluation. Students who successfully complete the Certified Nursing Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit may be eligible to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment exam (NNAAP) which determines competency to become enrolled in the State nurse aide registry as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

This program qualifies for the HOPE Career Grant.

Curriculum: Upon completion of the program, graduates will perform competently as integral members of healthcare teams, delivering patient care activities with skill and professionalism.

Careers: Nursing Assistants

Length of Program: 2 Terms

Admission Requirements:

Program Requirements:

  • American Heart Association Provider CPR Certification, physical examination, up-to-date immunizations, criminal background check and drug screen required prior to start of clinical rotation.
  • Successful completion of NAST 1100 allows students to sit for the Certified Nurse Aide license through the Department of Community Health. Successful completion of ALHS 1100 allows students to sit for a private exam and become a certified Patient Care Technician. State funded health care facilities require a Certified Nurse Aide license through the Department of Community Health.

Start Terms:

  • This program begins each semester on all campuses.

Gainful Employment Information
Curriculum Outline (23 hours)
General Education Course 2
EMPL 1000

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes human relations and professional development in today's rapidly changing world that prepares students for living and working in a complex society. Topics include human relations skills, job acquisition skills and communication, job retention skills, job advancement skills, and professional image skills.

2
Occupational Courses 21
ALHS 1011

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 5 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

5
ALHS 1040

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Introduces a grouping of fundamental principles, practices, and issues common in the health care profession. In addition to the essential skills, students explore various delivery systems and related issues. Topics include: basic life support/CPR, basic emergency care/first aid and triage, vital signs, infection control/blood and air-borne pathogens.

3
ALHS 1060

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None A study of the nutritional needs of the individual. Topics include: nutrients, standard and modified diets, nutrition throughout the lifespan, and client education.

2
ALHS 1090

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
COMP 1000

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture -1.667; Lab – 2.667 Pre-Requisites: None Co-Requisite: None This course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include introductions to computer and digital terminology and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications. Please note that this course may not transfer to a 4-year institution. Students should check with their transferring institution for transferability of courses. COMP 2000 may be taken in place of COMP 1000 if it is required by a transferring institution.

3
Choose One of the Following (6 Hours) 6
ALHS 1100

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 5 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces student to the role and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide. Emphasis is placed on understanding and developing critical thinking skills, as well as demonstrating knowledge of the location and function of human body systems and common disease processes; responding to and reporting changes in a residents /patients condition, nutrition, vital signs; nutrition and diet therapy; disease processes; vital signs; observing, reporting and documenting changes in a residents condition; emergency concerns; ethics and legal issues and governmental agencies that influence the care of the elderly in long term care settings; mental health and psychosocial well-being of the elderly; use and care of mechanical devices and equipment; communication and interpersonal skills and skills competency based on federal guidelines. Specific topics include: roles and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide; communication and interpersonal skills; topography, structure, and function of the body systems; injury prevention and emergency preparedness; residents rights; basic patient care skills; personal care skills; and restorative care.

6
NAST 1100

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces student to the role and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide. Emphasis is placed on understanding and developing critical thinking skills, as well as demonstrating knowledge of the location and function of human body systems and common disease processes; responding to and reporting changes in a residents /patients condition, nutrition, vital signs; nutrition and diet therapy; disease processes; vital signs; observing, reporting and documenting changes in a residents condition; emergency concerns; ethics and legal issues and governmental agencies that influence the care of the elderly in long term care settings; mental health and psychosocial well-being of the elderly; use and care of mechanical devices and equipment; communication and interpersonal skills and skills competency based on federal guidelines. Specific topics include: roles and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide; communication and interpersonal skills; topography, structure, and function of the body systems; injury prevention and emergency preparedness; residents rights; basic patient care skills; personal care skills; and restorative care.

6
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