Direct Care Worker Certificate

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CONTACT

Rebecca Lewis 413.552.2426, rlewis@hcc.edu

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Direct Care Worker Certificate prepares students to perform the responsibilities of both a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and a Home Health Aide (HHA). Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Direct Care Workers help patients with their healthcare needs in a variety of settings: nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, adult day care centers, primary care, pediatrics, rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, or at the patient’s home. Direct Care Workers help fulfill basic quality of life needs for those who need help due to illness, disability or infirmity. The certificate combines specialized training that meets both state and federal standards with academic coursework that students need to successfully compete for entry level positions in health care.

Upon completion of this degree students will be able to:

Identify and Explain the primary role/responsibilities of a direct care worker and how this applies to various care settings

Successfully pass clinical and written state exam for HTH 210 CNA course

Successfully pass written exam for Home Health Aide Certification

Identify and Apply principles of cultural competence to direct patient/person care

Explain the role of professionalism in health care and how it relates to patient care in both home and facility settings

Understand how to work with individuals with dementia and related behaviors in both home and facility settings

Explain the role of electronic medical records in patient care.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 25 CREDITS

ANT 114(B) - Understanding Diversity and Valuing Similarities Credit(s): 3
BUS 112 - Professional Etiquette Credit(s): 1
BUS 115 - Computer Applications Credit(s): 3
GRT 110(B) - Introduction to the Study of Aging Credit(s): 3
HTH 101 - Introduction to Health Careers Credit(s): 3
HTH 105 - Alzeimer’s Disease and Other Dementia-Related Disorders Credit(s): 1
HTH 109 - Principles of Electronic Health Records for Direct Care Workers Credit(s): 1
HTH 114 - Medical Terminology Credit(s): 3
HTH 210 - Field Experience Credit(s): 6
HTH 216 - Home Health Aide Supplemental Credit(s): 1

TOTAL: 25 CREDITS

NOTES

Students must be ENG 101 eligible in order to complete this certificate.

HTH 210 - Field Experience : Documentation of current successful CORI/SORI background check is required.

** Criminal Offense Record Act (CORI), Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI)**

Foundations of Health students enrolled in the HTH 210 - Field Experience or applying for Selective Programs are required to complete a CORI/SORI background check prior to the end of the Add/Drop period each semester. A positive finding may prevent students from successfully completing the HTH 210 - Field Experience course, applying for Selective Programs, or graduating with a Foundations of Health Degree due to clinical site requirements. The College policy can be found in the Student Handbook.

Inability to attend orientation for the HTH 210 course and meet requirements for clinical orientation and placement will result in Administrative Withdrawal from HTH 210 . There is a SEPARATE CORI/SORI application you must complete online if you have lived outside of the state of Massachusetts in the past 10 years; failure to disclose all relevant information may result in an inability to complete the HTH 210 course. Out of state CORI/SORI fees vary. If you have had legal issues in the past or have any legal aff airs pending, you must contact the dean of Health and Natural Sciences.

This program can be completed 80% online. Go to Online Learning for further information.

Gainful Employment

(M085)