Patient Care Assistant

Program Overview

Patient care assistants are allied health professionals who provide direct patient care within their regulated scope of practice. They perform basic nursing assistant tasks (as delegated by the nursing or medical staff) which may include obtaining patient vital signs and other data, communicating with the healthcare team and patients, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), complying with confidentiality requirements, and performing ECGs and phlebotomy tasks.

Duties performed by a Patient Care Assistant may include:

• 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

Certification Exams

Graduates of this program may sit for the following certification exams:

• National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) – certifications in Patient Care Assistant, EKG Technician and Phlebotomy Technician
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - certifications in Patient Care Assistant, EKG Technician and Phlebotomy Technician
• American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) - certifications in EKG Technician and Phlebotomy Technician
• Graduates are eligible to challenge the Florida Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam.

This program is not eligible for any Federal Financial Aid or VA programs.