Patient Care Assistant

Provide basic patience care under the direction of nursing staff

Program Objective:

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster.

Program Content:

This program is designed to prepare students for employment as cross-trained nursing assistants (SOC 31-1014 Nursing Assistants). All others, Patient Care Assistants, Nursing Aides, and Orderlies, or Home Health Aides. This program offers a broad foundation of knowledge and skills, expanding the traditional role of the nursing assistant, for both acute and long-term care settings. The program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the health care industry; planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues.

Admission Requirements:

  • 16 years of age or older and not currently enrolled in any K-12 program

  • Occupational Interest

Completion Requirements:

The entire program is 290 hours but students can earn a certificate upon completion of the following OCPs:

OCPCOURSEHOURS
OCP ABasic Healthcare Worker90 Hours
OCP BNurse Aide and Orderly (Articulated)75 Hours
OCP CAdvanced Home Health Aide50 Hours
OCP DPatient Care Assistant75 Hours
Total Hours: 290

Those students who satisfactorily complete an approved course are eligible to apply to take the national nursing assistant examination being utilized in Florida, in accordance with Chapter 464.204, F.S. This program includes both Acute and Long Term Care. Students are expected to complete program competencies.

Employment Opportunities:

  • Patient Care Assistant
  • Home Health Aide
  • Nursing Assistant

Employment Requirements:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant by the State of Florida

Salary:

The average wage for this career in Florida is $13.78 hourly or $28,660 annually.

Financial Aid:

Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Applicants must have a high school diploma from an accredited High School, or its equivalent. To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, at www.fafsa.gov. Questions pertaining to this matter should be directed to the Financial Aid Office.

Program Cost:

  • In-state residents – $2.56 per hour (Subject to change)

  • Out of state resident – $10.25 per hour (Subject to change)

  • $15.00 application fee per trimester

  • Material fee – $75.00 

  • Identification fee – $5.00 per trimester

  • Liability/Accidental Insurance: $25.00

  • Students must purchase books/kits and/or uniforms, if applicable

  • Testing Fee: $240.00

Program Hours:

  • Monday – Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.

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    Healthcare Occupations