Health Care Assistant

Campuses

Clarkesville
Blairsville
Currahee

Credentials Offered

Certificate

Program Length

3 Semesters

TUITION-FREE ELIGIBLE

This department has programs that are eligible for 100% tuition coverage. 

Academic Programs > Health Sciences > Health Care Assistant

Health Care Assistant

The Health Care Assistant certificate of credit program provides a solid foundation in the fundamental principles for diploma-level Health Science fields at NGTC including Practical Nursing, Phlebotomy, Medical Assisting, and more.

Students who enroll in the Health Care Assistant program will choose a specialization or may select one of two tracks to pursue:

  • Patient care assistant – for those students interested in careers in practical nursing. The courses in this track focus on diet and nutrition, interpersonal relations and professional development, and nurse aid fundamentals.
  • Phlebotomy – for those students interested in becoming a certified phlebotomist and an important member of the clinical laboratory team. The courses in this track focus on all types of blood collecting techniques for patient populations throughout the lifespan, processing and preparing other lab specimens, lab test profiles, aseptic and sterile techniques, safety and quality assurance both in the classroom and clinical setting.

The field of technology is fast-growing, and qualified phlebotomists are in high demand. Phlebotomists can work with mobile clinics, laboratories, nursing homes, and hospitals. These courses prepare students to become highly skilled technicians as well as deliver high-quality compassionate care to patients in various settings.

Students who complete the Health Care Assistant certificate and choose the patient care specialization are eligible to sit for the state certification exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). 

NGTC offers a wide variety of diploma-level health care programs including Phlebotomy, Pharmacy Technology, Emergency Services, Medical Assisting, and Practical Nursing. Program-specific information is available on each of these under the Academic Programs tab.

Credentials You Can Earn

Certificate

The Health Care Assistant certificate program provides academic foundations at the diploma level in communications, mathematics, and human relations, as well as technical fundamentals. Program graduates are trained in the underlying fundamentals of health care delivery and are well prepared for employment and subsequent upward mobility. Classes provide hands-on instruction in vital signs, wound care, venipuncture, and trauma assessment so that the student is prepared to enter specific programs of study in the health care field.

Career Opportunities

Students who complete the Health Care Assistant program have a foundation for diploma-level programs such as:

Phlebotomy

Practical Nursing

Students in the Health Care Assistant program receive BLS and First Aid certification.

Students who complete the Health Care Assistant program may sit for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam.

Health Care Assistant graduates may find employment in places such as:

Home Health Care or Long-term Care Facilities

Hospitals and clinics

Medical Laboratories

Additional career options can be researched on the following site(s):

Meet the Faculty

Photo of Haley Adams Haley Adams Clinical Laboratory Technology Program Director/Instructor
706-754-7792
Photo of Stacie Bohannon Stacie Bohannon Health Sciences Department Chair/Medical Assisting Program Director/Instructor
706-779-8144

Gain a solid foundation in the fundamental principles for diploma-level Health Science fields at NGTC.

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