Patient Care Technology/Medical Assisting

CIP Code:

31.51.0801.03

Program Description:

The Patient Care Technology/Medical Assisting program is designed to provide the student with a thorough understanding of basic nursing care, including providing direct bedside care to patients in a variety of settings. The PCT/MA is a multi-disciplinary technical assistive healthcare personnel. PCT’s/MA’s are educated to provide basic nursing care under the supervision or direction of a Physician, Advanced Practice Nurse, Registered Nurse, or Licensed Practical Nurse. The education shall be in an organized program with planned learning experiences in a logical sequence, including both theory and clinical.

Program Outcomes:

At the completion of the diploma in Patient Care Technology and/or Medical Assisting graduates will be able to:

• Become an active member of healthcare teams to provide care to the sick, assist with patient rehabilitation, and promote wellness and prevention of illness
• Demonstrate cognitive training and skills that will allow them to be able to care for clients with or without complex medical needs
• Pass the certification requirements for PCT/MA and Tennessee Board of Health Nursing Assistant
• Perform duties of a unit secretary on either a medical-surgical unit or specialty unit, or in a clinic
• Understand anatomy and physiology fundamentals
• Translate appropriate medical terminology and perform procedures correctly
• Perform and interpret 12 lead EKGs
• Demonstrate confidence in collecting lab specimens and venipunctures
• Demonstrate, in the clinical setting, appropriate skills learned in the PCT/MA class, with no procedure performed whereby the PCT/MA student has not had the necessary education or background

Professional Accrediting Body:

NA

State Agency/Entity Oversight:

• Tennessee Department of Health (Nursing Assistant only)
• National Health Career Association or National Center for Competency Testing

Applicable Certification/License or Industry-recognized Certificates to Be Awarded:

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Patient Care Technician Certification