HAZLETON, Pa. — Penn State Hazleton has announced upcoming start dates for its fall nurse aide, phlebotomy technician and clinical medical assisting programs, flexible offerings designed for those looking to strengthen their resume, reenter the workforce or launch a career in a growing healthcare field.
Nurse aide begins Aug. 16 for part-time evening sessions and Sept. 13 for full-time day sessions. The program is a mix of classroom and clinical learning, with students receiving an introduction to healthcare while learning to provide basic nursing, personal and restorative care. Students will also gain the skills necessary to take the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Test.
The clinical medical assisting program begins Sept. 13. The four-month, part-time evening program combines classroom and clinical instruction to provide students with the diverse skillset to work in a variety of healthcare settings. Among the outcomes of the course, students will receive the training to prepare patients for examination, testing, treatment, and procedures, record vital signs, blood pressures and other patient care items, and more.
After completing 140 hours of classroom education, students will have the option of taking up to 160 hours of clinical practice. Students who complete the course would be prepared to sit for the National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Clinical Medical Assistant national certification examination.
In addition to facilitating entry-level positions with physicians’ offices, chiropractic offices, hospitals and outpatient facilities, this course is ideal for students interested in pursuing a formal certified medical assistant or nursing program in the future.
Finally, the phlebotomy technician program begins Sept. 14. This program prepares professionals to collect blood specimens from clients for laboratory analysis. Students will become familiar with all aspects related to blood collection and develop comprehensive skills to perform venipunctures completely and safely. This program prepares students to sit for the national certification exam.
For more information or to enroll, visit https://hazleton.psu.edu/healthcare-programs or contact the Office of Continuing Education at 570-450-3110.