This course is designed to teach the student the skills necessary to function as a patient care assistant in hospitals and ambulatory care facilities. The role of the patient care assistant has evolved and expanded to include diagnostic testing skills that are performed under the supervision of the professional nurse or other licensed health professional. These skills include phlebotomy, recording electrocardiography, applying basic oxygen therapy, pulse oximetry, measuring blood glucose levels, and collection and processing various body fluids for testing.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Explain the purpose of electrocardiography as it is related to the basic anatomy and physiology of the heart.
Perform the skills necessary to complete an electrocardiogram.
Describe basic hematology laboratory tests and the components and function of the blood.
Perform phlebotomy skills, including venipuncture and skin puncture correctly and successfully.
Demonstrate proper technique in obtaining blood glucose measurements and other components of blood obtained through skin puncture.
Explain the reasons for the collection of urine, stool and sputum specimens in assessing health status and diagnosing disease.
Perform procedures for collecting, measuring and testing urine, stool and sputum specimens appropriately.
Describe basic anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and the underlying principles associated with respiration.
Demonstrate skills in administration of low-flow oxygen therapy, reservoir systems, hyperinflations therapy, and oxygen assessment.

Prerequisites: AHN 100.

4 Credits2 Weekly Lecture Hours
 4 Weekly Lab Hours

Delaware County Community College's "Excellence in Care" Nursing Assistant Program is a 133-hour intensive course in accordance with the regulatory guidelines established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It includes, 48 hours of didactic, 25 hours of simulation laboratory activities, and 60 hours of clinical experience at an approved long term care facility. This course prepares students for employment in acute care, acute rehab, hospice, home health care and long-term care facilities. In addition to preparing students clinically, this course emphasizes leadership skills, service excellence values, problem solving/decision making, cultural sensitivity, interpersonal and civility skills in the workplace, professionalism/employability skills, conflict resolution, and time and stress management. Students completing this course are qualified to test with the American Red Cross and placed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. Departmental approval is required to enroll in the course to comply with federal and state legislative requirements- OBRA and Act 14, respectively.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
Function as an unlicensed individual in the role of a nurse aide within the legal and ethical standards set forth by the profession nursing as regulated by the State Board of Nursing for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Demonstrate use of appropriate and effective communication skills.
Apply the basic principles of infection control.
Assist with basic emergency procedures.
Demonstrate behavior that maintains client and/or client rights.
Demonstrate behaviors and skills that promote client and clients independence and prevents abuseDemonstrate knowledge and applies the principles of basic nutrition to prevent neglect and exploitationIdentify and report abnormal signs and symptoms of common diseases and conditions of the body systems.
Provide for a safe, clean environment.
Provide personal care as directed by the licensed professional/practitioner/supervisor.
Provide care to client when death is imminent.
Demonstrate skills that incorporate principles of restorative care under the direction of a licensed professional/practitioner/supervisor.
Demonstrate basic skills by identifying the psychosocial characteristics of the populations being served in the nursing facility and/or by the health care agency including persons affected by intellectual disabilities, mental illness, Alzheimer's disease and related disorders that cause cognitive impairment.
Explain how to anticipate and manage crises and identifies alternative solutions when appropriate interventions fail.
Plan problem-solving strategies using critical thinking to improve the health care delivery process.
Employ leadership and peer mentoring skills in the clinical setting.

Prerequisites: High School diploma or GED. Students must meet DCCC's clinical and physical program requirements and therefore departmental approval is required.INT 100 is strongly encouraged.

6 Credits