Overview
The Patient Care Assistant is an unlicensed assistant (with Nurse Aide certification) who supports the professional nurse in providing basic patient care in an acute care setting such as a hospital’s general medical unit or surgical unit.
The certificate program includes topics such as the role of the Patient Care Assistant, medical terminology, basic concepts of anatomy and physiology, basic concepts of nutrition and diet therapy, and care skills for hospitalized patients.
Prospective students must be at least 18 years old, and have State-Tested Nurse Aide certification, and a high school diploma or GED.
Related Programs
Health Sciences Technology (HSCT)Contacts
Advisor
Career Outlook
Graduates Are Prepared To
- Provide basic patient care in an acute care setting such as a hospital's general medical unit or surgical unit
Representative Job Titles For Graduates
- Patient Care Assistant (employers will require criminal background checks and a drug test)
Graduate Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 21 percent through 2022 (faster than average). In Ohio nearly 2,000 job openings are expected in a typical year. Because of the growing elderly population, many nurse aides, orderlies, and attendants will be needed in long-term care facilities and in home health.
$24,400 median annual salary
Graduate Starting Salary Projections
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Curriculum
Effective 2023-2024 academic year
Patient Care Assistant Certificate (PCAC)
Program Prerequisites: AFL 085 Applications of College Reading and Writing and AFM 095 Foundations of Basic Algebra, or appropriate placement test scores, and MCH 130 Nurse Aide Training or currently in good standing on the Ohio State Nurse Aide registry.
| MCH 132 | Patient Care Assistant Training | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |