News
Release
AUGUST 24, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DEBBIE KUCHMAS AT 203-332-8582
PCT CERTIFICATION BECOMES EASIER AT HCC
National Certification Exam Now Part of Program -
Class Starts Sept. 13
BRIDGEPORT – Obtaining Patient Care Technician (PCT)
certification has just become easier at Housatonic Community College.
Starting
next month, students completing the PCT program will be able to take their
national certification exams at the college as part of the course. That’s
because Housatonic has become certified as a testing site by the National Healthcareer
Association, which offers the certification.
The PCT
Program is the next rung up from Certified Nurse’s Aide (CNA) on the
health care career ladder. It adds another layer of skills to those learned
in a CNA program, preparing students to perform patient-care activities that
include such things as lab tests, electrocardiograms, simple dressing changes,
phlebotomy, and physical and occupational therapy.
“We’re
delighted that we can offer the exam as part of the program,” said Deborah
S. Kuchmas, director of workforce and non-credit programs. “No longer
will PCT candidates have to take courses at Housatonic, and then travel to
another location at some future time for the examination.”
The PCT training offers a pathway that will enable interested people
to develop the skills necessary to seek higher-level positions in health-care
facilities. The HCC course is approved under the Workforce Investment
Act, which extends tuition benefits to unemployed and underemployed
health care workers based on financial need.
For students interested in pursuing a health career pathway, HCC offers
both CNA and PCT programs. Both programs, which run for 12 weeks, start
Sept. 12.
HCC will offer the PCT training again in the Spring, which will enable
interested students to begin their CNA program in September and obtain
their PCT certification in the Spring.
“Offering these programs reflects HCC’s commitment to preparing
students for careers that are in demand,” said HCC Dean of Community
Outreach Gary A. Kecskés. “It is central to Housatonic’s
mission to offer such programs when so many people are looking for jobs and
career changes.”
Both programs will enable health care providers to meet the growing
demand for these medical professionals as baby boomers reach retirement
age, Kecskés said. “Nursing careers are projected to grow
17 percent over the next eight years,” he said.
“More and more health-care facilities are looking for skilled nurses
trained as a PCT,” he added. “Hospitals are beginning to change
their patient-care models to offer quality nursing skills and enhance customer
service.”
A new CNA/PCT Laboratory at HCC accommodates the programs and enables
students to practice the skills learned in class.
The PCT course includes lectures, labs and clinicals. Lectures will
be held Tuesdays, Sept. 13 – Dec. 5, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., in Room
A208 in Lafayette Hall. Labs will be held Saturdays, Sept. 17 – Oct
22 (no class 10/15), 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (30-minute lunch) in Lafayette
Hall Room A208, while clinicals will be conducted Saturdays, Oct. 29 – Dec.
10, (no class Nov. 26), 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (30-minute lunch), Bridgeport
Hospital. Tuition for is $2,250, which includes the exam fee,
textbooks, supplies, materials, and uniforms.
The CNA program also includes lectures, labs and clinicals. Lectures
will be held Mondays, Sept. 12 – Dec. 5 (no class Oct. 10), 10
a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room B125 in Lafayette Hall. Students can choose
between two labs: Tuesdays, Sept. 13 – Oct. 25 (no class Oct.
11), 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (30-minute lunch), Room 208 in Lafayette Hall,
and Thursdays, Sept. 15 – Oct. 27 (no class Oct. 13), 8:30 a.m.
to 3 p.m. (30-minute lunch), in Room 208 in Lafayette Hall.
Students also have the choice of two clinicals: Tuesdays, Nov. 1 – Dec.6,
7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (30-minute lunch), Lord Chamberlain Nursing and
Rehab Center in Stratford, and Thursdays, Nov. 3 – Dec. 15 (no
class Nov. 24), 7 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (30-minute lunch), Lord Chamberlain
Nursing and Rehab Center. Tuition is $995.
For more information, or to apply for either of the programs, contact
the HCC Lifelong Learning Center at 203-332-5057.
Housatonic Community College
provides an affordable and accessible education through two-year degrees,
transfer preparation, and certificate programs, as well as a wide variety
of continuing education and personal/professional enrichment seminars
and workshops. In
addition, HCC offers employee and occupational training for businesses, municipalities,
government agencies, and professional associations to help develop the educated
and skilled workforce required to meet regional business and industry needs. HCC
is nationally recognized as an “Achieving the Dream” institution.
HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less
than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from
the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Free parking is available in
the Housatonic garage.
Anson C. Smith, Public Relations Coordinator
Housatonic Community College
900 Lafayette Blvd.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Tel: 203-332-5229, Fax: 203-332-5247
E-mail: asmith@hcc.commnet.edu