What is the difference between a Medical Assistant and a Patient Care Technician?
Medical Assistants work in an outpatient setting and must have excellent computer, customer service, and communication skills. They are most likely to work daytime hours. Patient Care Technicians work in an inpatient setting on a hospital floor or in a long-term care facility and are likely to have work schedules that include some evenings, nights or weekends.
Can I register online?
No. You must attend a scheduled Information Session or meet individually with the program coordinator. You can only register in person at the enrollment services desk with a form signed by the program coordinator.
When do the programs begin?
All Programs begin both in September and in January.
How long is the certificate training?
Students who begin in September will complete either in May or August. Students who begin in January will complete in August.
What hours will I be in school?
Most classes are scheduled between the hours of 8:30am and 2:15pm Monday through Friday. Some classes are offered in the evenings, so each schedule will be different.
What is the cost of the certificate programs?
This depends on the tuition and fees set by the state and college for the upcoming semester. It also depends on which classes you need and if you have appropriate transferrable credits.
How many credits do I need to be eligible for a BHCC certificate?
Medical Assistant, 25; Patient Care Technician, 26; Phlebotomy Technician, 16; Medical Interpreter, 18; Nurse Aide/Home Health Aide, 7.
How many hours is the specialty clinical internship?
Specialty internships for Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician and Phlebotomy Technician are 144 - 160 hours, depending upon your site of placement. The specialty internship hours for Medical Interpreting are 46 hours and for Nurse Aide/Home Health Aide there are 21 hours of internship.
How are students placed in internships?
The Clinical Placement Director places students in specialty internships based upon where they live, course grades, and feedback from faculty.
Can I request a particular site?
You may submit a request in writing to the Clinical Placement Director. However, you are not guaranteed placement at that site.
Will I receive national certification in any of these programs?
Graduates of the Phlebotomy Technician and Medical Interpreting Programs are eligible to sit for the respective national certification exams.
Does the program provide job search assistance?
We provide you with all the tools you need to find a job (you will prepare a professional resume, cover letters, etc.) but you will find your own job. You will learn how to apply for positions online and will learn which websites to use. We also hold employer workshops where representatives from healthcare institutions visit BHCC to discuss their facilities and the positions available and to accept applications from interested students.
Can I do nurse aide/home health aide training as part of one of the certificate programs?
Yes. It is a requirement for the Patient Care Technician Program. This training is optional, but strongly recommended, for Medical Assistants.
What does the nurse aide/home health aide training include?
Students take a total of 7 credits:
AHE 110 (Principles of Clinical Practice) - 3 credits
AHE111 (Patient Care Skills) - 3 credits
AHE106 (CNA Practicum) - 1 credit
How long is this training?
One semester - either September-December or January-May
Can I do this training in the evening?
Yes. These classes are offered both days and evenings
How long is the CNA Practicum (internship)?
The internship is a total of 24 clinical hours (three days of 8 hours of clinical experience, including an orientation and conference time.) This training will always be conducted on weekends and/or holidays beginning after the eighth week of the semester. Students sign up in groups of 10 following their medical clearance.
Can I choose where I go for the CNA Practicum?
No. You must participate in one of the scheduled 24-hour sessions at a long-term care facility.
Will I get a BHCC Certificate if I complete the classes that fulfill the Nurse Aide/Home Health Aide curriculum?
No. You will sit for the CNA exam, which is administered by the American Red Cross. If you pass both the written and skills portions, you will receive your state certification from the American Red Cross. You will also receive a program-generated Home Health Aide Certificate.
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