Patient Care 1-Year Certificate (CERT) Program

Welcome to the Patient Care Certificate Program, designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in the healthcare field. This comprehensive one-year program provides a strong foundation in patient care, preparing you for a rewarding career in various healthcare settings.

Program Objectives

• Develop a thorough understanding of patient care principles and practices.
• Enhance communication skills for effective interaction with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Gain hands-on experience in clinical settings to build practical skills.
• Understand the ethical and legal aspects of patient care.
• Prepare for certification exams and career advancement in healthcare.

Curriculum Overview

• Nursing Assistant I: The Nursing Assistant program prepares students for employment in a senior care facility or as a Home Health Aide. The program consists of two semesters of classwork and skills practice. Nursing Assistant I includes an introduction to the senior care industry, legal and ethical issues surrounding senior care, anatomy & physiology, an overview of long term care, and an introduction to dementia care. Nursing Assistant students will also learn workplace safety and valuable job skills such as professional communication skills and taking vital signs. Students earn an industry certification in Dementia Awareness.
   
• Nursing Assistant II: Nursing Assistant II continues the classwork and introduces more advanced senior care skills. Topics include patient safety and lifting/transferring patients and other basic patient and resident care skills. Students in Nursing Assistant II will learn job skills such as completing an incident report and basic first aid. Students will earn certifications in CPR and First aid by a certified CCCS instructor.
   
• Nursing Assistant III: Students in this course will apply what they have learned to various scenarios and research projects. They will learn to practice patient care in a culturally aware manner, as well as learn the principles of working with patients with special concerns such as developmental disabilities, mental illness, cancer, and post-surgical patients. They will begin working with facilities in a variety of forms such as field trips and/or internships. Finally, they will learn resume-building and interviewing skills.