Health Care Assistant
Fast Track Your Career in One Semester
Fall, Spring, Summer Entry
This program is being offered at a special discounted rate. Many of the standard fees, excluding tuition, are being covered by a grant. Contact Debra Buie for more information and details on program costs at debra.buie@mgccc.edu or (228) 267-8642.
Apply for Health Care Assistant
Become a health care assistant (HCA) and Phlebotomist in only one-semester. As a one (1) semester 16 credit hour course, the curriculum prepares the student for the national exam to become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) and a Nationally Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT). Earning two distinct health-related certifications will offer a wide variety of benefits for the HCA graduate, the potential employer, and the patients or clients in acute care, long-term care, assisted living facilities, and private homes.
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Career Opportunities
- Physical Therapy
- Mental Health
- Cardiology
- Nursing
- Phlebotomist
Program Overview
The Health Care Assistant (HCA) program option at MGCCC is a one semester, 16 credit hour course designed to prepare students to sit for the national exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Phlebotomist. The one-semester program is approved by the state of Mississippi’s Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP) and is intended for individuals who have never been certified as nurse aides.
Salary Range
In Mississippi, the median salary is $22,790. Nationally, the income range is $20,680 – 38,630.
The Mission of the Health Care Assistant program at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is the preparation of Nursing Assistants who provide high quality and compassionate care for residents and patients in acute care, long-term care, assisted living facilities, and private homes. The Concepts and Outcomes of the Health Care Assistant program align with the nursing options offered at Gulf Coast. They include:
- Provide holistic care that is client centered, caring, culturally sensitive and based on the physiological, psychosocial and spiritual needs of clients (Client-Centered Care).
- Collaborate with members of the interdisciplinary health care team to promote continuity of client care (Interdisciplinary Collaboration).
- Use research as a basis for evidence based nursing practice and clinical judgment (Evidence-Based Practice).
- Promote quality improvement by participating in the development and implementation of organizational and care related plans for improving health care services (Quality Improvement).
- Minimize risk of harm to clients, self and others (Safety).
- Integrate information technology resources into the provision of client care (Informatics).
- Provide health-related education to restore health and promote optimal wellness (Client-Education).
- Demonstrate accountability for the delivery of nursing care in a professional, ethical, and legal manner (Professionalism).
In order to be eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment (NNAAP) Examination for certification as a nurse aide in Mississippi, the applicant applying will fall under the MS-Non Facility-Based and Proprietary Schools and Colleges eligibility route which includes the following requirements:
- A completed examination application, fees, and a copy of the training program certificate of completion, or
- An original letter from the training program stating that training has been completed, must be submitted to Credentia.
- If an original letter is sent with the Examination Application as proof of training, this original letter must be written on the training program’s letterhead and must include:
- The nurse aide candidate’s name
- The nurse aide’s date of training program completion; and
- The signature of the instructor, director, or administrator of the training program.
- If an original letter is sent with the Examination Application as proof of training, this original letter must be written on the training program’s letterhead and must include:
- Although the student has twenty-four (24) months from the completion date of the training program to take and pass both parts of the NNAAP Examination, the student at MGCCC must test within a certain time frame as determined by the course faculty.
In order to be eligible to take the National Center for Competency Testing Examination for certification as a phlebotomist, the applicant applying with fall under the Current Student eligibility route which includes the following requirements:
- A completed examination application, fees, a copy of the training program certificate of completion, and a phlebotomy technician certification critical skill competency form.
- All required documents must be submitted within two years after successful program completion in order for your certification to be released.
Tuition
Prior to Entering Program
- Criminal Background Check $65 – $80 (MGCCC Campus Police)
- Pre-admission Physical Exam and Immunizations $200 – $300 (required for first day of class)
Program Fees
- General MGCCC Tuition and Fees
- Career and Technical Program Fee $30 per credit hour
- Textbooks/Workbooks/Rentals $100 – $300 – (Rentals may or may not be available)
- Substance Testing $29 – $35 per semester
- Liability Insurance $12 – $15 per semester
- Uniform, Lab Coat, Shoes, Accessories $200 – $300
- Licensure Exam Fees $100 – $200
- Cost may be subject to change
Questions? Contact a nursing representative.