Course Catalog

Geriatric Care Assistant - GC51 Technical Certificate of Credit


Campus Locations: High School

The Geriatric Care Assistant Technical Certificate provides the basic knowledge and skills needed to qualify employment as a nurse aide in nursing homes, elder personal care homes, and home healthcare agencies. The certificate emphasizes geriatric patient care, CPR, and first aid. Students successfully completing the certificate are eligible to be placed on the State Registry for nurse aides.

Requirements:

  • Submit a completed application and application fee
  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Submit official high school transcript or High School Equivalency transcript or college transcripts showing successful completion of 60+ semester credits or 72+ quarter credits
  • Submit official college transcripts, if applicable
  • Present acceptable ACCUPLACER, ACT, ASSET, COMPASS, PSAT, or SAT scores or GED score of 145 or higher or have one of the following: an associate degree or higher or have a HOPE GPA of 2.6 after the completion of 10th grade. Documentation on a college transcript of successful completion of appropriate courses from a regionally accredited college or university may be accepted in lieu of test scores.

Additional Program Requirements:

  • American Heart Association Provider CPR Certification, physical examination, up-to-date immunizations, criminal background check and drug screen required prior to start of clinical rotation.
  • Successful completion of NAST 1100 allows students to sit for the Certified Nurse Aide license through the Department of Community Health. Successful completion of ALHS 1100 allows students to sit for a private exam and become a certified Patient Care Technician. State funded health care facilities require a Certified Nurse Aide license through the Department of Community Health.

This program is a HOPE Career Grant eligible program for students who are HOPE Grant eligible. The Career Grant award is a fixed amount per semester based on the number of credit hours taken. Maximum award per term is $500.

Curriculum Outline (15 hours)
Occupational Courses 15
ALHS 1090

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
GERT 1000

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course provides a description of the aging client in the aging services network as well as an examination of sociological, psychological, and biological aspects of aging.

2
GERT 1020

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course addresses behavioral health issues associated with aging, including psycho-social impact of cultural and cohort influences; a discussion of prevention, diagnosis, assessment, and intervention; as well as an examination of pertinent legislation.

2
GERT 1030

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course provides a study of the nutritional needs of the individual, including older adults. Topics include: nutrients, standard and modified diets, nutrition throughout the lifespan, and client education.

1
Choose One of the Following (2 Hours) 2
ALHS 1040

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Introduces a grouping of fundamental principles, practices, and issues common in the health care profession. In addition to the essential skills, students explore various delivery systems and related issues. Topics include: basic life support/CPR, basic emergency care/first aid and triage, vital signs, infection control/blood and air-borne pathogens.

3
ALHS 1060

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None A study of the nutritional needs of the individual. Topics include: nutrients, standard and modified diets, nutrition throughout the lifespan, and client education.

2
Choose One of the Following (6 Hours) 6
ALHS 1100

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 5 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces student to the role and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide. Emphasis is placed on understanding and developing critical thinking skills, as well as demonstrating knowledge of the location and function of human body systems and common disease processes; responding to and reporting changes in a residents /patients condition, nutrition, vital signs; nutrition and diet therapy; disease processes; vital signs; observing, reporting and documenting changes in a residents condition; emergency concerns; ethics and legal issues and governmental agencies that influence the care of the elderly in long term care settings; mental health and psychosocial well-being of the elderly; use and care of mechanical devices and equipment; communication and interpersonal skills and skills competency based on federal guidelines. Specific topics include: roles and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide; communication and interpersonal skills; topography, structure, and function of the body systems; injury prevention and emergency preparedness; residents rights; basic patient care skills; personal care skills; and restorative care.

6
NAST 1100

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces student to the role and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide. Emphasis is placed on understanding and developing critical thinking skills, as well as demonstrating knowledge of the location and function of human body systems and common disease processes; responding to and reporting changes in a residents /patients condition, nutrition, vital signs; nutrition and diet therapy; disease processes; vital signs; observing, reporting and documenting changes in a residents condition; emergency concerns; ethics and legal issues and governmental agencies that influence the care of the elderly in long term care settings; mental health and psychosocial well-being of the elderly; use and care of mechanical devices and equipment; communication and interpersonal skills and skills competency based on federal guidelines. Specific topics include: roles and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide; communication and interpersonal skills; topography, structure, and function of the body systems; injury prevention and emergency preparedness; residents rights; basic patient care skills; personal care skills; and restorative care.

6
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