2008 - 2009 PATIENT CARE TECHNOLOGY
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM BROCHURE

This program is designed to educate and train individuals to function as nursing support personnel who are above the level of a nursing assistant but below the level requiring licensure. The major focus is the role of the PCT in the hospital setting. The student will be trained to support the nursing staff by performing duties that may be safely and legally delegated. Included in the courses are the role and scope of practice of the PCT, cross-training in basic health care skills, ethical and legal concepts, and alterations in various body systems. Also covered are principles of infection control, safety, activities of daily living, vital signs, professionalism, meeting nutrition and elimination needs, providing skin care, communication skills (written and verbal), and consideration of growth and development and grief and loss concepts. Lecture and skills laboratory practice and evaluation are used to prepare the student to meet the objectives. Skills such as Foley catheter insertion, collection of specimens, enemas, colostomy care, sterile dressing changes, pulse oximetry, obtaining an EKG, basic phlebotomy skills, and blood glucose monitoring are included. Clinical experiences are provided to give the student the opportunity to administer basic nursing care and practice selected skills for patients in all age groups.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

Trinity Valley Community College maintains an open door admissions policy and constantly strives to provide programs beneficial to all students. The admission requirements to the College are found in the College catalog. The following includes additional information regarding requirements for the PCT program:

1. There are no pre-requisite courses for the PCT program. Students who are not certified as a nurse aide at the beginning of the program will have an opportunity during the semester to take the state certifying examination for an additional fee.
    

2. Students need to pre-register for the PCT program. Students will pre-register at the Health Science Center for the PCT courses (16 semester credit hours). Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis until the spaces are filled.  A brief orientation will be conducted at the same time as the beginning of pre-registration.  

To be eligible to pre-register the applicant must have:
A.    Applied to TVCC.
B.    Completed one dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine or have a blood test verifying immunity to Hepatitis B, before June 1st for the fall semester and two doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine, at least 30 days apart, or a blood test verifying immunity before November 1st for the spring semester.

The student must bring proof of the one or two doses of Hepatitis B vaccine or  blood test showing positive antibody titer to the Health Science Center to register depending on instructions posted on the website. Check the web site at www.tvcc.edu/campus/healthscience/pcare.aspx for the exact dates of registration in June and November.

3. Students who have not taken a reading/math assessment test such as the THEA will be given an assessment test at the beginning of the courses.  Those who do not have an equivalent of Level I proficiency on the Reading and Math sections of the THEA will be advised to take appropriate developmental studies courses at TVCC.
    

4. Prior to starting clinical, the student must provide a completed physical exam, negative TB test (or chest x-ray if student has a positive TB test), and submit documentation of immunizations or immunity to specific diseases as required by law and clinical sites including tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and hepatitis B.  Current immunization requirements are available on the TVCC website at:  www.tvcc.edu/campus/healthscience/immunizations.aspx.  The physical form can be downloaded from: www.tvcc.edu/campus/healthscience/downloads/physical form.rtf.  CPR will be offered in the class.
    

5. All students enrolled in a health occupations program will be required to have a negative criminal background and registry checks and drug screen prior to beginning clinical rotations.  Details about the requirements for background checks and drug screens will be provided in orientation. 
    

6. If a student successfully completes NURA 1401 and NUPC 1260 and enters the Associate Degree Nursing Program, he/she will receive credit for RNSG 1119 – Integrated Nursing Skills I.
   

SCHEDULE

The PCT program is offered during both the fall and spring semesters. The courses require about 30 hours per week in class, skills, and clinical (usually 4 days). Call the Health Science Center at (972) 932-4309 or check the current schedule for the specific days of the week that the course will be offered for the next semester. Class days begin at 8:00 a.m. Clinical days begin at 6:45 a.m. Class/skills will be at the Health Science Center in Kaufman. Clinical sites may be in Kaufman, Terrell, Mesquite, or Athens. Students must provide their own transportation to the clinical site.

SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2008 IS T/W/Th/F.

ESTIMATED EXPENSES

Additional requirements: Physical, & immunizations.

Students are encouraged to apply for Pell Grants, if they are eligible, at least several months before the beginning of the semester.

PATIENT CARE TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM
A grade of "C" or better is required in all PCT courses for graduation.

Fall or Spring Semester (One semester only)

For More Information

TVCC Health Science Center - (972) 932-4309
TVCC Athens Campus - (903) 675-6385
TVCC Palestine Campus - (903) 729-0256
TVCC Terrell Campus - (972) 563-9573

E-mail: pct@tvcc.edu

 TVCC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution which provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination or harassment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.

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