DSCC’s Healthcare Technician program prepares the student to become nationally certified through the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) certificate.
Healthcare
Technician
About the Program
DSCC’s Healthcare Technician program prepares the student to become nationally certified through the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) certificate. Students choose which track they wish to take.
CCMAs are multi-skilled professionals who are valuable assets to physicians. CCMAs assist during physical examinations, maintain treatment rooms, sterilize instruments, answer patient questions, and obtain vital signs.
CPCT/As are multi-skilled professionals who play a vital role in patient care, primarily in hospitals, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities. CPCT/As assist patients by serving meals, changing bedding, assisting with restroom needs, measuring and monitoring vital signs, managing food and liquid intake, and performing venipuncture.
CCMA or CPCT students will also take Phlebotomy and Electrocardiogram (EKG) classes. In Phlebotomy class, students will earn a nationally accepted certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and become certified Phlebotomists. Students with credentials in Phlebotomy will be able to collect blood specimens from patients for testing purposes. In Electrocardiogram (EKG) class, students will also earn a nationally accepted certification through NHA and will become certified EKG Technicians. Students with credentials in electrocardiogram will be able to administer testing and interpret heart rhythms.
Due to clinical requirements for this certificate, the student should be prepared to have a background check and drug screen completed at the student’s expense.
Students will also be required to show proof of up-to-date immunizations.
The courses in this program require the student to take the industry certification exams in Phlebotomy, EKG, and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant or Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant after each applicable course. The certification exams also come at an additional cost to the student.
Top 10 FAQs for the
Healthcare Technician Program
Please review the top 10 frequently asked questions for the DSCC Healthcare Technician program below.
There are two ways to apply.
-Visit www.dscc.edu and access “Admissions and Records.” Next, follow the link, “How to Apply for Admission.” Then, select “Apply Online Now.” Access “Create an Account” and complete the Account Creation page by filling in all required information.
-Visit the One-Stop center on DSCC Dyersburg or Covington location. Someone will assist with the admission application and completing the FASFA.
EKG Soft Skills is offered online. CCMA, PCT, and Phlebotomy are offered in person.
No, there are not any prerequisite requirements for the courses within the Healthcare Technician certificate program.
View the current Class Schedule.
Each class of students will earn a certification from a nationally accepted certification through the National Healthcareer Association. Once you have completed the entire program (ex. CCMA, Phlebotomy, EKG or PCT, Phlebotomy, EKG) students will graduate from DSCC and earn the Healthcare Technician Certification.
You must fill out a FASFA application and as long as the student qualifies and is enrolled in the entire program (Ex. CCMA, Phlebotomy, EKG or PCT, Phlebotomy, EKG) financial aid can be applied to the program.
Visit the DSCC Bookstore Website (www.dscc.edu/dscc-bookstore).
It takes approximately one week to receive an e-mail with further information.
Each class is one semester long. A semester in the fall and spring is four months each, for a total of eight months. Typically, students take either PCT or CCMA in one semester, then, in the other semester, take the Phlebotomy and EKG class.
No, DSCC does not require students to be vaccinated for COVID-19. For classes that include a clinical component, students must be vaccinated or sign a declination form.
Books for each class, a three-ring binder, and a folder with pockets. For CCMA, PCT, and Phlebotomy class copies of childhood immunization (available at your county health department), these will include Tdap, MMR, varicella, Hepatitis B 3-vaccine series, up-to-date tetanus, 2-step TB skin test, flu vaccine or declination form, and COVID-19 vaccine or declination form. Must pass a drug screen and a background check
For More
Information
Contact the DSCC Healthcare Technician program at healthcare@dscc.edu or (901) 475-3182.