Patient Care Technician - Certificate of Completion
Doña Ana Community College
2022-2023 Catalog
Certificate of Completion
Graduates of the Patient Care Technician certificate program may work in a variety of settings, including long-term and acute-care facilities, private homes, clinics, and home care agencies. In most cases, the work involves providing personal care for patients and support services such as drawing blood, operating specialized equipment, and furnishing the results of diagnostic procedures.
Employment opportunities are numerous in Doña Ana County and the surrounding areas. Salaries for those who have completed diverse competencies within the program average well above minimum wage. Once employed, many graduates will find opportunities for on-the-job training and advancement.
Students may use the program as an introduction to other healthcare programs, such as nursing, respiratory therapy, diagnostic medical sonography, and radiologic technology. The program includes classroom theory, laboratory experience, and applied learning in clinical settings. Because some of the learning takes place off-campus, students will need to have reliable personal transportation.
State and/or national certifications are available in certain areas upon successful completion of the courses:
- State of New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) New Mexico Nurse Aide Competency Exam and Certification Management.
- National Healthcareer Association
- Phlebotomy
- ECG Technician
- Patient Care Technician certification
Important Facts About This Certificate Program
For information concerning the total cost, financing, time to completion, and job placement rates associated with this program, visit the following web page: https://dacc.nmsu.edu/hca/index.html
Clinical Clearance Packet
Students registering for a course that has a clinical component (NA 105, NA 109, NA 110, NA 205) are required to complete a clinical clearance packet and submit online to Castlebranch for the director's approval to register.
Mandatory Attendance
Students must attend all class meetings and lab sessions to be eligible for state or national certification testing.
Patient Care Technician (38-42 credits)
NOTE: Students must earn a final grade of C- or better in all required courses and achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. A grade of C- or better is required in ENGL 1110G Composition I and designated Mathematics courses.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 38 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements (7 credits) | ||
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I 1, 2 | 4 |
| MATH 1215 | Intermediate Algebra 1, 2 | 3 |
| Related Requirements (7-11 credits) | ||
| AHS 120 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| Choose from the following: | 4-8 | |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I for the Health Sciences and Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 8 | |
| Introductory Anatomy & Physiology (non-majors) | 4 | |
| Technical Requirements (24 credits) | ||
| NA 104 | Nursing Assistant Fundamentals 2 | 3 |
| NA 104 L | Nursing Assistant Fundamentals Lab 2 | 1 |
| NA 105 | Nursing Assistant Clinicals 2 | 4 |
| NA 109 | Phlebotomist Basic 2 | 4 |
| NA 110 | Electrocardiogram Technician Basic 2 | 4 |
| NA 204 | Patient Care Technician 2 | 4 |
| NA 205 | Patient Care Technicians Practicum 2 | 4 |
| Total Credits | 38-42 | |
- 1
Courses identical to those offered at New Mexico State University (main) Campus.
- 2
Course has a prerequisite. Please consult DACC catalog for more information.
(38-42 credits)
A Suggested Plan of Study
The contents of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. This is only a suggested plan of study for students, and is not intended as a contract. Individual student academic plans may vary. Please contact your academic advisor to create a plan that works for you. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.
NOTE: Students must earn a final grade of C- or better in all required courses and achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. A grade of C- or better is required in ENGL 1110G Composition I and designated Mathematics courses.
Students must complete all University certificate requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 38 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Area I: Communications - English Composition Level 1 | 4 | |
| Composition I | ||
| AHS 120 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MATH 1215 | Intermediate Algebra | 3 |
| Choose one from the following: | 4-8 | |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I for the Health Sciences and Human Anatomy and Physiology II 1 | ||
| Introductory Anatomy & Physiology (non-majors) | ||
| Credits | 14-18 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NA 104 | Nursing Assistant Fundamentals | 3 |
| NA 104 L | Nursing Assistant Fundamentals Lab | 1 |
| NA 105 | Nursing Assistant Clinicals | 4 |
| NA 109 | Phlebotomist Basic | 4 |
| NA 110 | Electrocardiogram Technician Basic | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| NA 204 | Patient Care Technician | 4 |
| NA 205 | Patient Care Technicians Practicum | 4 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 38-42 | |
- 1
BIOL 2210 & BIOL 2225 option will need to be taken in separate semesters.