Patient Care Technician Certificate Career Talk and Program Requirements
Welcome to the PCT Career Talk! Completion of this Career Talk is a requirement for all students prior to registration for PCT courses. This presentation will help answer most of the questions you may have about the PCT program, requirements, and career highlights.
PCT Program Offerings One semester certificate program Offered only at the Northwest campus at this time Day sections available during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
Employment and Benefits Employment Opportunities: Hospitals Nursing Homes Home Health Care Doctor s Offices Hospice Medical Clinics Blood Center Who would this program benefit? Individuals who want to be Patient Care Technicians Students who are taking prerequisite courses for other Health & Wellness programs, such as: Nursing Surgical Technology Radiology Physical or Occupational Therapy Dental And more
Weighted Admissions Points PCT program completion and work history may help add points to your weighted admissions application in other Health & Wellness programs. Please see each individual H&W department s weighted admissions applications for specific PCT points available. www.gvltec.edu/health-wellness-div/
Estimated Cost of the PCT Program All prices below are estimates and are subject to change. All costs are student expense unless stated otherwise. Tuition 10 credit hours (see www.gvltec.edu/tuition for current tuition) Non-refundable Deposit - $100 (amount does apply toward tuition) Lab fees - $40 Textbook approximately $60 Supply kit approximately $180 CPR for Healthcare Providers approximately $80 Physical Varies Immunizations Varies CNA certification exam - $101 (for those taking the test) Uniform approximately $50-$60 Shoes approximately $50 Wrist watch with a second hand Varies
Financial Aid and the PCT Program PCT certificate is a 10 credit hour program and is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid (i.e., Pell Grant, Federal Student Loans, etc.). Most students are able to use SC State Lottery Tuition Assistance. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a FAFSA Waiver Form must be submitted. S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance pays a maximum of $1,000 of the total tuition costs for eligible PCT students. Please see Financial Aid for any specific questions you may have about your eligibility and aid available. www.gvltec.edu/financial_aid
Entrance Requirements Before Registration These requirements must be completed prior to registration. Complete Admissions processes, including: Must be at least 18 years old Have a high school diploma or GED Meet minimum placement for MAT 032 and RDG 100, or have completed MAT 031 and RDG 032 or higher Complete the online Career Talk Career Talk can be found at www.gvltec.edu/pct under Program Requirements Complete the Letter of Intent and pay the non-refundable deposit of $100 at the Business Office Due the day of registration Deposit amount will be credited toward your tuition for the semester registered for. The Letter of Intent form can be found at www.gvltec.edu/pct under the PCT Program Requirements section. Students should print and complete the form, then bring the completed form to the Business Office to pay the required deposit.
Requirements After Registration (continued ) These requirements must be completed by the first week of class. Student responsibility: Attend the mandatory PCT orientation Obtain a physical exam by your doctor or nurse practitioner Should be completed by either a licensed practicing physician or nurse practitioner. This should be the person who prescribes your daily medications. Must present written documentation of emotional and physical ability to carry out the normal activities of nursing care. Provide proof of immunity to certain communicable diseases, as well as a twostep PPD (TB test) The two-step PPD test takes up to 3 weeks to complete the entire process. Negative titers require that some immunization series be repeated. This process can take 28 days or more to complete. Obtain 2-year CPR Must be CPR for Health Care Provider Adult/Child/Infant plus AED by the American Heart Association (AHA) only Students that fail to submit any of the requirements by the deadline will be counseled by faculty and may be withdrawn from the program.
Requirements After Registration ( continued) These requirements will be completed during PCT Orientation and during the first week of the semester. The fees for these requirements are included in the non-refundable deposit. Pass a criminal background check with a clear record for 7 years with no history of violent crimes Will be completed during orientation Pass (negative results) a 10-panel drug screen prior to the start of clinical Will be completed during NUR 151; random drug screens also possible during program Complete online pre-clinical Healthstream courses Will complete the first week of the semester
Student Health Form Physical Exam Physical exam must be completed by either a licensed, practicing physician or nurse practitioner. Example: the health care provider who prescribes your daily medications. Health care provider will complete the health form provided during registration. Must present written documentation of emotional and physical ability to carry out the normal activities of nursing care.
Student Health Form Immunizations (continued ) 2-step PPD (TB Skin Test) Complete this test 1 st! Requires 2 steps: 2 shots and 2 readings Must be read at specific times Can take up to 3 weeks to complete process MMR Mumps, Measles, and Rubella Proof of 2 doses, OR Proof of Immunity by + Titer results If Negative Titer, must repeat vaccine series (2 shots) and can take 28 days to complete
Student Health Form Immunizations ( continued ) Varicella (Chicken Pox) Proof of vaccinations (2 doses), OR Proof of Immunity by + Titer results If Negative Titer, must repeat vaccine series (2 shots) and can take up to 28 days to complete Hepatitis B Not required for PCT because the series takes 6 months to complete, but is strongly recommended If a student declines vaccination, there must be a signed waiver on record Proof of immunity by series of 3 injections followed by a positive Titer
Student Health Form Immunizations ( continued) Td or Tdap Tetanus/Diptheris/Pertussis Proof of immunization required If greater than 2 years, immunization should be repeated Influenza (Flu shot) Must present proof of annual immunization Receipt of payment is NOT proof of immunization. Must have documentation that you were the recipient including the date, time, and lot number received.
Clinical Requirements: CPR for Healthcare Provider Documentation of current CPR certification is required Two year CPR must be Health Care Provider: Adult/Child/Infant with AED by the American Heart Association only You are strongly encouraged to locate and register for a course as early as possible because classes fill quickly Courses are available through GTC s Economic Development & Corporate Training [864-250-8800]. Online registration is also available at www.gvltec.edu/edct.
Healthstream Pre-clinical Transcript Healthstream is an online, web-based, pre-clinical course that will fulfill the safety and OSHA guidelines/requirements for our clinical site facilities. Directions for completing this requirement will be sent to student GTC email accounts the first week of each semester. A printed transcript of all completed online courses will be due by the date stated during registration. These courses will take several hours (usually 4-6) to complete, but you can stop and go back to complete the modules if needed. Plan accordingly. You will need access to a computer and printer to complete this requirement. Students without computer and/or printer access can use any of the GTC computer labs during normal operating hours. See www.gvltec.edu/computer-labs/ for locations and hours of operation.
CNA Certification (Certified Nursing Assistant) Students are encouraged to take the CNA exam for state certification upon completion of the PCT program Students are encouraged to take the exam within one year after graduation to improve their chances of testing successfully PCT students will have the option to take the certification exam through In-Facility testing at the Northwest campus upon successful completion of the program
Program Schedule and Structure Students begin with NUR 151 Students are responsible for their own transportation to each class and to all clinical experiences. Class times vary depending on the semester enrolled and course section All courses run within the same semester, either back-to-back or concurrently in structure Clinical Experience will vary depending on semester and campus location. Fall and Spring students will typically attend clinical once per week for 11 weeks Summer students may attend clinical in 11 consecutive days (Mon- Fri) due to the condensed nature of the semester
PCT Courses NUR 151: Basic Patient Care 1 3 credit hours Covers the basic skills required for patient care These core skills plus your clinical experience will qualify you to take the CNA exam Taught on campus in a lecture and lab format NUR 152: Basic Patient Care 2 3 credit hours Covers advanced skills required for patient care These skills will include sterile dressings and catheter insertion Taught on campus in a lecture and lab format (continued to next page )
PCT Courses ( continued from previous page) NUR 153: Clinical Experience 2 credit hours This is the clinical portion of the PCT program Taught off campus in a clinical setting Students will demonstrate the skills they have learned in a clinical setting Facilities used for this course vary based on semester, day/evening section, and/or campus location enrolled AHS 142: Phlebotomy 2 credit hours Covers the basics of phlebotomy and specimen collection Does NOT qualify students to be a phlebotomist Taught on campus in a lecture and lab format
Technical Performance Standards for Admissions and Progression Purpose: To provide the applicant/student with a clear understanding of the physical demands required of the program based on the tasks performed by the graduate. Demonstration and/or documentation may be required. Answer Yes or No for the following standards: Communication ability sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form Explain treatment procedures; reinforce health teaching; document PCT actions Critical Thinking ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs without visual contact Identify, recognize, and report changes in clinical situations to nursing supervisor Hearing/Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs without visual contact Hear monitor alarm, emergency signals, cries for help, blood pressure sounds Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds Establish and maintain supportive relationships with patients and other health care providers (continued to next page )
Technical Performance Standards for Admissions and Progression ( continued from previous page) Mobility/Physical ability sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces Move around in patients rooms, work spaces, and treatment areas; administer CPR. Pushes, pulls, or moves/lifts equipment/supplies (up to 25 pounds). Ability to reach, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch. Prolonged standing/walking. Motor Skills: gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care Calibrate and use equipment; position patients; assist patients in and out of bed Self Care: ability to present professional appearance and implement measures to maintain own health and not place patients in jeopardy Implement universal precautions; use good personal hygiene Smell: olfactory senses sufficient for maintaining environmental and patient safety Distinguish smells which are contributory to assessing and/or maintaining patients health status (e.g. fire) Tactile ability sufficient for assessment of physical health status Perform palpation, functions of physical assessment and/or those related to therapeutic intervention (e.g. insertion of a catheter) Visual ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs Observe patient responses; read patients records; read gauges and digital printouts *Students who answer no on any of the Technical Performance Standards indicates the awareness of applicant to make an appointment with Student Disabilities Services by calling 864-8408 to determine reasonable accommodations. Demonstration may be required.
Deadlines All PCT Clinical Requirements are due the first week of class. Turn in all requirements to PCT faculty. Students that fail to submit any of the requirements by the deadline will be counseled by faculty and may be withdrawn from the program.
Ready to start your PCT journey? Complete the online Career Talk and quiz www.gvltec.edu/pct-career-talk Complete Admissions, if you have not done so already Only day sections at the Northwest campus are available at this time Complete the Letter of Intent and pay your non-refundable $100 deposit Make an appointment with a designated coordinator to begin registration and obtain your PCT Registration Packet Attend the Mandatory PCT Orientation at the Northwest Campus on the designated date (a valid photo ID is required) Purchase necessary supplies and complete all preclinical requirements prior to the deadline stated in the PCT Registration Packet Attend class and begin your journey to becoming a Patient Care Technician!
Questions or Comments? If you have any questions or comments not answered by this presentation, please email or call: Susan Whittington, RN BSN PCT Faculty 864-250-3663 Susan.Whittington@gvltec.edu Lisa Patterson Administrative Assistant 864-250-3660 Lisa.Patterson@gvltec.edu
Completing the PCT Career Talk Students must have viewed this entire presentation. Click the link below to complete a short quiz about the PCT program. The link may have also been provided in the email or handout you received. Students must answer all questions on the quiz to complete the Career Talk. Confirmation of Career Talk completion will be emailed to students within a few days. Career Talk completion is valid for 2 years. Keep all emails regarding the Career Talk for your records. Click the following link to begin the Career Talk Quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/pctcareertalk