Patient Care Technician
Certificate Program
Students pursuing programs in the medical office laboratory area are required to complete an Essential Functions form prior to registering for courses
Health Sciences
Founders Hall 112 • Phone 215-968-8353 (option 3)
Curriculum Code No. 3204
The Patient Care Technician Certificate Program prepares students to support nurses, doctors, and other medical staff in caring for patients with physical and mental health concerns. Patient Care Technicians are employed in a wide range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, assisted living communities, and more.
The required prerequisite to enter the Introduction to Patient Care course is to be 18 years or older and possess a High School diploma or GED. Interested candidates must have completed a certified nursing course within 2 years of the start of the Introduction to Patient Care course. Active status on the PA/NJ Nurse Aide registry is mandatory if the nursing assistant course was not completed at Bucks County Community College. The required prerequisite to enter the Electrocardiography Interpretation course is BIOL115 or BIOL181 and BIOL182.
Graduates of this program can:
- Utilize effective verbal communication in the health care setting
- Apply culturally competent care to meet the needs of a diverse population
- Provide safe and effective patient care in acute care
Patient Care Technician Program Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIOL115 Basic Human Anatomy B,C | 3 |
| COLL101 College Success Seminar | 1 |
| HSCI130 Introduction to Patient Care B | 4 |
| HSCI200 Electrocardiography Interpretation B | 4 |
| MEDA120 Medical Terminology A | 3 |
| MEDA204 Phlebotomy Procedures and Techniques B | 4 |
| MEDA205 Medical Law and Ethics | 3 |
| MEDA287 Phlebotomy Externship B | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 25 |
Recommended Semester Sequence
Courses in this certificate must be taken in the designated sequence order, as the curriculum builds from one semester to the next. Students must have completed the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate prior to enrolling in the Patient Health Care Technician Certificate. If students have completed the Phlebotomy Certificate, they only need to take HSCI130 and HSCI200 in order to receive their Patient Health Care Technician Certificate.
Graduates are eligible to sit for a national examination to become a certified patient health care technician.
Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIOL115 Basic Human Anatomy B,C | 3 |
| COLL101 College Success Seminar | 1 |
| HSCI130 Introduction to Patient Care B | 4 |
| MEDA120 Medical Terminology A | 3 |
| Total | 11 |
Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| HSCI200 Electrocardiography Interpretation B | 4 |
| MEDA204 Phlebotomy Procedures and Techniques B | 4 |
| MEDA205 Medical Law and Ethics | 3 |
| Total | 11 |
Summer Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| MEDA287 Phlebotomy Externship B | 3 |
| Total | 3 |
A Open for credit by examination.
B Course requires prerequisite.
C Placement Testing required.