Patient Care Assistant

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education. The standard length of the entire program is 290 hours.

Program Structure:

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of four occupational completion points.  The Health Science Core is required for all health programs and options.  Secondary or postsecondary students who have previously completed the Health Science Core will not have to repeat the core.  A student who completes the applicable competencies at any occupational completion point may either continue with the training program or exit as an occupational completer. Specific course information regarding licensure and certification guidelines is included with the student performance standards portion of the framework.  The recommended length of the core is 90 clock hours.

To complete as Patient Care Assistant, the module Core, Articulated Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide plus the Patient Care Assistant module must be completed.

Laboratory Activities:

Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program.  These activities include instruction in the use of safety procedures, tools, equipment, materials, and processes related to these occupations.  Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students. Students will perform nursing skills in a clinical setting for approximately one-half of the program, under the supervision of a qualified registered nurse instructor.  The recommended teacher/student ratio in the clinical area is 1:12. Clinical learning experiences must correlate with didactic instructional and laboratory experiences.

  • In order to be a full program completer, students must complete all five OCPs and score a minimum of 11.0 in math and 10.0 in reading and language, on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE).
  • Admission Policy:  16 years of age or older and not currently enrolled in another Miami-Dade County Public School. Students must score a minimum of 7.0 on the TABE.
  • Refund Policy: Before the start of class – full tuition refund. Within first 14 days – 50% tuition refund. After 14 days – no refund

Classes are offered at South Dade Skills Center Campus

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday | 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Office: (305) 247-7839

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