Curriculum
Instruction Pack I: Introduction to Patient Care Technician
In Pack 1, students explore the roles and duties of the patient care technician and other healthcare professionals within the healthcare industry. Students learn medical terminology using a unique word-building system to help them interpret new terms. Additionally, students discover the role medical records play in health care. This pack wraps up with the basics of electronic records, and then explore interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with patients and healthcare professionals.
Instruction Pack II: Anatomy, Ethics and Clinical Skills
In this pack, students gain an overview of human anatomy. Students learn about pathology, including etiologies, or the causes of abnormal human biology. Then, students discover medical ethics and legal responsibilities that pertain to the healthcare industry, and specifically, to patient care technicians. Students recognize the body’s reaction to inadequate supplies of nutrients and vitamins, and understand the need for feeding tubes. Students explore infection control and universal safety precautions before discovering basic first-aid techniques and the importance of CPR training. Finally, students learn the process to obtain, record, monitor and report patient vital signs.
Instruction Pack III: Patient Care and Blood Testing
Pack 3 begins by exploring the need for emotional support during grief and death. Then, students examine patient therapy, which includes preparing and performing EKG testing, range of motion exercises and modalities. Students discover the methods to assist patients with positioning and mobility issues and devices. The daily needs of patients are examined with swallow precautions when feeding patients and understanding devices used to prevent bed sores. After discovering how to assist patients when dressing and bathing, students learn to provide catherization, ostomy and urinary care, and measure urinary output. Students also learn to perform capillary puncture, phlebotomy and venipuncture, and collect blood properly. Finally, students examine the organizations and certifications available to the patient care technician before taking the final exam for the course.
