Patient Care Technician Certificate Program

Patient Care Technicians work with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to oversee and monitor patients. As vital members of the healthcare team, they provide direct patient care and comfort measures, take vital signs, collect specimens, and much more.

Graduates of the Patient Care Technician program are eligible to participate in a variety of certification examinations, including:

• Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT/A)
• Certified Electrocardiography (CET)
• Certified Phlebotomy (CPT)
• Basic Cardiac Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS)

Students who wish to enhance their career opportunities can apply Patient Care Technician certificate program credits toward the Berkeley College Health Sciences Associate in Applied Science degree program.

Benefit from:

• A strong foundation in both the theory and techniques of patient care
• Hands-on learning in on-site medical laboratories that simulate the clinical environment
• Opportunities to practice communication and interpersonal skills needed for developing a rapport with colleagues and patients
• Valuable, practical experience gained through the completion of a Patient Care Practicum at an off-campus healthcare facility, under the supervision of a New Jersey licensed Registered Professional Nurse (RN) instructor 

Not all programs are offered for completion at each campus or through Berkeley College Online®. Please review the academic program pages (https://berkeleycollege.edu/academics/index.html) for information on where each program is offered. Additionally, all students may be required to take some courses at another campus or online. The Internship courses are only offered online.

PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES

SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE(Effective Fall 2024, this program is no longer being offered)

SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE

Course Requirements

MAJOR CORE COURSES

HEA2200 Medical Terminology

3 Credits

Provides a solid foundation and understanding of the medical language used by healthcare professionals through the introduction, reinforcement, and combination of medical word parts including prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms. Emphasis is placed on word building, analysis of word parts, spelling, special endings, plural forms, correct pronunciation of terminology related to procedures, and diseases of the various body systems. Commonly used abbreviations and symbols will also be introduced.

HEA2203 Ethical and Legal Aspects of Health Services

3 Credits

An introduction to the principles of law as applied to the healthcare field. Students learn ethical standards and issues as related to healthcare.

HEA2310 Patient Care Communication

3 Credits

MED1130 Medical Emergencies and Electrocardiography

3 Credits

Introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the cardiac system. Students learn how to perform electrocardiogram (EKG) on patients, troubleshoot EKG machine problems, and recognize basic cardiac arrhythmias. Spirometry testing is performed. Students will also learn to respond to common emergency situations, administer first aid in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, recognize the effect of stress on all persons involved in emergency situations, and demonstrate self-awareness in responding to emergency situations. Emphasis is placed on professional attitudes and the principles and basic concepts of ethics and laws involved in providing medical services. Students must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association.

Prerequisites or Corequisites: SCI1100 (Medical Assistant and Health Sciences - Patient Care Technician students only), HEA2200

MED1140 Specimen Collection and Procedures

3 Credits

Students learn a variety of laboratory procedures, specimen collection, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment Waiver Test, and Point of Care Testing (PoCT). Includes performing proper venipuncture and finger-stick techniques for obtaining human blood specimens, as well as other methods of collecting body fluid specimens while complying with OSHA Standards.

Prerequisites or Corequisites: SCI2100 (Medical Assistant and Health Sciences - Patient Care Technician students only), HEA2200

PCT1010 Foundations of Patient Care

6 Credits

Introduces students to the roles and responsibilities of healthcare providers in nursing care settings, as well as the associated legal and ethical considerations. This course also introduces students to the fundamental components of patient care and the application of techniques and procedures required to provide basic care.

PCT1320 Advanced Patient Care

3 Credits 

Builds the foundational knowledge required to provide safe and effective patient care; nutrition and fluid intake; comfort, rest and sleep; as well as the management of patients with injuries; and how to assist in the nursing process of patient admission, discharge, and transfer.

Prerequisite: PCT1010

PCT2320 Patient Care Practicum

3 Credits

Provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned in all previously completed courses to the acute care environment or laboratory with the supervision of a New Jersey Licensed Registered Nurse. Prerequisite: CPR certification and completion of all departmental physical forms, including purchase of malpractice insurance

Corequisite: PCT2700

PCT2700 Patient Care Capstone

3 Credits

Requires the integration of knowledge, skills, and techniques attained throughout the program. Critical thinking and teamwork skills are assessed through workplace-based case studies. This course stresses entry-level job requirements, upward career paths, resume writing skills, interviewing techniques, and networking.

Prerequisite or Corequisite: PCT1320 

30 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

Additional Program Information

Students applying to the Patient Care Technician certificate program must provide authorization for a criminal background check prior to being accepted into the program. In instances where a student’s criminal background check contains information related to past criminal activity, Berkeley College may not make an offer of Admission into the program or guarantee that it will find suitable clinical placement(s) since the decision to allow students to complete clinical rotations is at the sole discretion of the clinical affiliate. This program requires clinical experience. Prior to participating in clinical rotations, students must satisfy all clinical clearance requirements, which include, but are not limited to, a physical assessment by a licensed medical professional; meeting immunization requirements; purchasing their own malpractice insurance; a secondary criminal background check at the request of clinical facilities; and drug screenings.

Students enrolled in the Patient Care Technician (PCT) specialization must meet the minimum passing grade requirements for certain courses.

For more information about the PCT program, grade requirements, and clinical requirements, see:

Patient Care Technician Student Handbook Supplement: http://berkeleycollege.edu/catalogs/patient-care-technician-student-handbook-supplement-2024-2025/index.html

Program Costs

Requirements for clinical courses are extensive and may total several hundred dollars. The costs of these requirements are borne by the student.

Information about program costs (including tuition, fees, books, and supplies) is available at: https://berkeleycollege.edu/catalogs/undergraduate-2024-2025/admissions/certificate-program-tuition-fees-2024-2025/index.html

Professional Licensure & Certification

Information about professional licensure and/or certification requirements for this program is available online at: https://berkeleycollege.edu/about/accreditation-regulatory/professional-licensure-and-certification/index.html