Healthcare Assistant (HA21) Technical Certificate of Credit

Campus Locations: Vidalia, Swainsboro

The Healthcare Assistant (HCA) Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) provides students with the general core courses and occupational courses for the health science professions Healthcare Technician and Phlebotomy. The general studies component develops students' written and oral communication skills and computational skills. The occupational courses provide students with a broad background in health science core courses. Program graduates are trained in the underlying fundamentals of health care delivery and are well prepared for employment and subsequent upward mobility.

The program prepares students with classroom training and practice as well as the clinical experiences necessary to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, doctor's offices, clinics, outpatient care centers, family practices, nursing homes, and group practices or to pursue further education in healthcare.

The standard curriculum for the Health Care Assistant Certificate is designed for the semester system. Students may enter the Certificate program during any semester term.
Minimum credit hours required for completion will vary depending upon option selected. See program options section for specific minimum semester credit hours required.

Option One - HEALTH CARE TECHNICIAN
In addition to a career as a Health Care Technician, this option is also designed for prospective students seeking admission into the Practical Nursing Diploma program.
*Prior to a student enrolling in NAST 1100, the following prerequisites must be met: all general core courses for the program along with the occupational courses and ALHS 1011. In addition, the following co-requisites must be taken either prior to or along with NAST 1100 including: ALHS 1040, ALHS 1060, and ALHS 1090.
*NAST 1100 is a State approved course which offers training to candidates that desire to become eligible for certification as a certified nurse aide. Please refer to the Nurse Aide Certificate section of the Catalog for additional requirements related to NAST 1100 Nurse Aide Fundamentals.

Option Two - PHLEBOTOMY
Special Note Regarding PHLT 1030 and PHLT 1050: Due to the specific requirements in PHLT 1030, including a urine drug test and background screens and the identification of clinical sites for students by STC instructors, students may not transfer in PHLT 1030 and subsequently enroll in PHLT 1050.
*Prior to a student enrolling in either PHLT 1030 or PHLT 1050, all prerequisites, which include all general and occupational courses for the program, must be met.
*Students with one semester term or greater lapse after the completion of PHLT 1030 must retake the course prior to enrolling in PHLT 1050.
**Students are allowed a maximum of two (2) attempts to successfully complete PHLT 1030 and/or PHLT 1050. Students may be eligible for academic forgiveness three (3) years after last PHLT 1030 or PHLT 1050 courses are attempted and may apply for readmit to the first PHLT course.

Clinical Requirements for Phlebotomy Option
Students must complete a total of 200 clinical hours within PHLT 1050 in addition to biweekly class meetings. Students must obtain 50 venipunctures and 10-finger sticks from their approved clinical site. Instructors will be responsible for securing the clinical sites. Prior to completing the PLHT 1030 course, students must submit documentation of TB skin testing, respiratory N95 mask fitting, and all required immunizations, including Hepatitis B. Students who refuse Hepatitis B vaccination must sign a declination form and be aware that clinical sites may refuse to accept them. Students will be required to have a drug screen and background check before attending a clinical site. Forms will be provided by the instructor.

*For more detailed program information, please refer to the Catalog & Handbook.

Requirements

Submit a completed application;
Be at least 17 years of age;
Submit official high school/high school equivalent transcripts;
Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
Satisfy Placement Testing requirements.

Program Costs

Expenses may vary depending upon the option students choose to pursue. Costs are estimates and are subject to change.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) requires all colleges to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses. Most of these requirements must be completed prior to the beginning of clinical or laboratory activities.

Healthcare Technician Option

Tuition/Fees: $1,508
Books/Supplies: $521
Criminal Background & Drug Screen: Approximately $84.50 (NAST 1100; paid to PreCheck) (Clinical background checks are mandated for all nursing facilities as stated in Georgia Code Title 31-7-350-353. Adverse information on criminal background checks does hinder an individual from participating in clinical and obtaining employment.)
Liability Fee: $12 per year (NAST 1100)
Respiratory N95 Mask Fitting: $20 (NAST 1100)
CPR: $30 (NAST 1100)
CPR Mask: $9 (NAST 1100)
First Aid: $25 (NAST 1100)
Student Nurse Aide Program Picture ID (must read Student Nurse Aide or Nurse Aide Student): First ID is Free; Replacement ID $5 (NAST 1100)
Campus Parking Decal: First Decal is Free; Replacement Decal $8
Uniforms: $50 (varies) (NAST 1100)
Uniform Patch Fee: $5 each (Purchased from STC Bookstore or Meridy’s Uniforms-Vidalia (NAST 1100)
Government Issued Picture ID or Driver’s License (paid to Department of Motor Vehicles (NAST 1100)
Graduation Application Fee $40 (if student participates); Print Certificate Fee $10
Immunizations/Laboratory Tests (NAST 1100)
- PPD (two-step): $40 (health department or physician’s office)
- Influenza Vaccine: $25 (varies) (annual) (health department or physician’s office)
- Hepatitis Vaccine: $117 (Titer: $20) (health department or physician’s office) or may sign declination form
Recommended Immunizations/Laboratory Tests (optional for Nurse Aide, NAST 1100)
- MMR Vaccine: $64
- Measles Titer: $20
- Mumps Titer: $20
- Rubella Titer: $20
- Varicella Titer: $20
- Hepatitis B Titer: $20
- Varicella Vaccine: $117
- Tdap: $40
- Tetanus Vaccine: $20
- Hepatitis A and B: $163 for 3-Shot Series (This option may be chosen instead of the Hepatitis B series.)

Phlebotomy Option

Criminal Background & Drug Screen: Approximately $84.50 (PHLT 103; Paid to PreCheck)
Liability Fee: $12 per Year (PHLT 1030)
Respiratory N95 Mask Fitting: $20
CPR: $30
CPR Mask: $9
First Aid: $25
Student Program Picture ID; First ID is Free; Replacement ID $5
Campus Parking Decal: First Decal is Free; Replacement Decal $8
Uniforms: $50 (varies) (PHLT 1030)
Uniform Patch Fee: $5 each (Purchased from bookstore or Meridy’s Uniforms-Vidalia) (PHLT 1030)
Graduation Application Fee $35 (if student participates); Print Certificate Fee $20
Immunizations/Laboratory Tests (PHLT 1030)
- PPD (two-step): $40 (health department or physician’s office)
- Influenza Vaccine: $25 (varies) (annual) (health department or physician’s office)
- Hepatitis B Vaccine: $117 (Titer: $20) (health department or physician’s office) or may sign declination form; or Hepatitis B Titer: $20
- MMR Vaccine: $64; or Measles Titer: $20, Mumps Titer: $20, Rubella Titer: $20
- Varicella Vaccine: $117 or Varicella Titer: $20
- Tdap: $40
- Tetanus Vaccine: $20
- Hepatitis A and B: $163 for 3-Shot Series (This option may be chosen instead of the Hepatitis B series.)

Option One - Healthcare Technician (30 hours)
General Core (12 hours)	12
COLL 1040College Foundations (Institutional Credit Only) (Prerequisite: None) This course is designed to provide tools to assist students to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen occupational/technical program of study. Topics include: Computer Applications/Technology Skills, Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Styles, Time and Money Management, Study and Test Taking Skills, Stress Management and Wellness, Communication Skills, and Career Exploration.	3
ENGL 1010Fundamentals of English I (Prerequisite: ENGL 0097 OR Appropriate Placement Test Score AND READ 0097 OR Appropriate Placement Test Score) Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.	3
MATH 1012Foundations of Mathematics (Prerequisites: MATH 0097 OR Appropriate arithmetic placement test score.) Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.	3
PSYC 1010Basic Psychology (Prerequisite: Provisional admission) Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work, and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.	3
Occupational Courses (18 hours)	18
ALHS 1011Structure & Function of Human Body (Prerequisite: Regular Admission) Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.	5
ALHS 1040Intro to Health Care (Prerequisite: Provisional Admission) Introduces a grouping of fundamental principles, practices, and issues common in the health care profession. In addition to the essential skills, students explore various delivery systems and related issues. Topics include: basic life support/CPR, basic emergency care/first aid and triage, vital signs, infection control/blood and air-borne pathogens. A $20 fee is associated with this course due to the cost of CPR/first aid card and training.	3
ALHS 1060Diet & Nutrition for Allied Health Sciences (Prerequisite: Program Admission) A study of the nutritional needs of the individual. Topics include: nutrients, standard and modified diets, nutrition throughout the lifespan, and client education.	2
ALHS 1090Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences (Prerequisite: Provisional Admission) Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.	2
ALMA 1000Allied Health Math (Institutional Credit Only) (Prerequisites: MATH 1012) (Co-requisites: MATH 1111) Prepares students in understanding the application of mathematics in their health science program courses. The topics included are basic mathematics, medical terminology, mathematical conversions, weight and measurement applications used in health science programs. Additionally, problem solving strategies, basic principles of medication administration, and research in health science will be incorporated into the course competencies.	0
NAST 1100Nurse Aide Fundamentals (Prerequisite/Co-requisites: ALHS 1040, ALHS 1090, ALHS 1060) Introduces student to the role and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide. Emphasis is placed on understanding and developing critical thinking skills, as well as demonstrating knowledge of the location and function of human body systems and common disease processes; responding to and reporting changes in a residents /patients condition, nutrition, vital signs; nutrition and diet therapy; disease processes; vital signs; observing, reporting and documenting changes in a residents condition; emergency concerns; ethics and legal issues and governmental agencies that influence the care of the elderly in long term care settings; mental health and psychosocial well-being of the elderly; use and care of mechanical devices and equipment; communication and interpersonal skills and hands-on skills competency based on federal guidelines. Specific topics include: roles and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide; communication and interpersonal skills; topography, structure, and function of the body systems; injury prevention and emergency preparedness; residents rights; basic patient care skills; personal care skills; and restorative care.	6

Option Two - Phlebotomy (30 hours)
General Core (12 hours)	12
COLL 1040College Foundations (Institutional Credit Only) (Prerequisite: None) This course is designed to provide tools to assist students to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen occupational/technical program of study. Topics include: Computer Applications/Technology Skills, Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Styles, Time and Money Management, Study and Test Taking Skills, Stress Management and Wellness, Communication Skills, and Career Exploration.	3
ENGL 1010Fundamentals of English I (Prerequisite: ENGL 0097 OR Appropriate Placement Test Score AND READ 0097 OR Appropriate Placement Test Score) Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.	3
MATH 1012Foundations of Mathematics (Prerequisites: MATH 0097 OR Appropriate arithmetic placement test score.) Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.	3
PSYC 1010Basic Psychology (Prerequisite: Provisional admission) Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work, and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.	3
Occupational Courses (18 hours)	18
ALHS 1011Structure & Function of Human Body (Prerequisite: Regular Admission) Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.	5
ALHS 1040Intro to Health Care (Prerequisite: Provisional Admission) Introduces a grouping of fundamental principles, practices, and issues common in the health care profession. In addition to the essential skills, students explore various delivery systems and related issues. Topics include: basic life support/CPR, basic emergency care/first aid and triage, vital signs, infection control/blood and air-borne pathogens. A $20 fee is associated with this course due to the cost of CPR/first aid card and training.	3
ALHS 1090Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences (Prerequisite: Provisional Admission) Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.	2
PHLT 1030Intro to Venipuncture (Prerequisite: All program curriculum courses excluding PHLT 1050, no exceptions without approval of Dean of Health Sciences) Provides an introduction to blood collecting techniques and processing specimens. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills needed to collect all types of blood samples from hospitalized patients. Topics include: venipuncture procedure, safety and quality assurance; isolation techniques, venipuncture problems, and definitions; lab test profiles and patient care areas; other specimen collections and specimen processing; test combinations, skin punctures and POCT; professional ethics and malpractice; and certification and licensure. A $35 fee is associated with this course due to gloves, various blood drawing tubes, needles, including vacutainer, butterfly & syringes; lancets for finger sticks, and bandaging supplies.	3
PHLT 1050Clinical Practice (Prerequisite: All program curriculum courses including PHLT 1030, no exceptions without approval of Dean of Health Sciences) Provides work experiences in a clinical setting. Emphasis is placed on enhancing skills in Venipuncture techniques. Topics include: introduction to clinical policies and procedures and work ethics; routine collections: adult, pediatric, and newborn; and special procedures.	5