Healthcare Technician Certificate

Courses and Requirements

The Healthcare Technician certificate prepares students to work as multi-skilled Healthcare Technicians. There are three program concentrations that the student may elect to complete. Eligibility for certifications are listed in each concentration. 

Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” or higher in all required courses in order to graduate. A minimum of 24 -25 credit hours are required for graduation.


Concentration One (Phlebotomy and EKG): includes classroom theory and laboratory practices; anatomy and physiology of the heart, legal aspects of patient care, electrocardiography and the proper use and functions of the EKG machine. Students learn phlebotomy skills in our state-of-the-art simulation laboratory. Graduates of this concentration are eligible to take the National Healthcare Association examination to become a Certified EKG Technician (CET) and Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT). Graduates are also eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) examination via the route 2 eligibility process.

Concentration Two (EKG and Nursing Assistant): includes classroom theory and laboratory practices; anatomy and physiology of the heart, legal aspects of patient care, electrocardiography and the proper use and functions of the EKG machine. Additional topics include, safety and infection control procedures and basic personal care skills for patients/residents in sub-acute, long term care and in an individual’s home. Graduates of this concentration are eligible to take the National Healthcare Association examination to become a Certified EKG Technician (CET) and the State of Massachusetts Nurse Aide examination for certification. Applicants to this concentration must have successfully completed a nurse aide training program and hold current Nurse Aide certification in Massachusetts prior to entering this program.

Concentration Three (Phlebotomy and Nursing Assistant): includes classroom theory, laboratory practices and legal aspects of patient care. Students will learn phlebotomy skills in our state-of-the-art simulation laboratory, safety and infection control procedures and basic personal care skills for patients/residents in sub-acute, long term care and in an individual’s home. Graduates of this concentration are eligible to take the National Healthcare Association examination to become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) examination via the route 2 eligibility process and the State of Massachusetts Nurse Aide examination for certification. Applicants to this concentration must have successfully completed a nurse aide training program and hold current Nurse Aide certification in Massachusetts prior to entering this program.

CORI/SORI/CHRI

Students interested in participating in this program may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Criminal Records Central Repository (CHRI) check, and a Sex Offender Record Information (SORI) check. For more information, visit the CORI/SORI/CHRI page on the NECC website. 

Northern Essex Community College is committed to the success of every student. Students with legal issues in their background will meet with a committee as part of the CORI/SORI/CHRI process and will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records. NECC personnel make every effort to help students prepare for careers in their chosen field. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and support. 

Drug Screening

Students enrolled in this academic program may be required to pass a random drug screening analysis.

CPR

Students are required to be CPR Certified at the Health Care Provider/Professional Rescuer level prior to the start of clinical courses. 

Health

Students are required to complete a health evaluation, including a Hepatitis B immunization series, prior to beginning HES121 Clinical Externship.

Student Professional Liability Insurance

Students are required to carry professional liability insurance. The premium is to be paid at the time of course registration.

Requirements

Course NumberTitleCredits
ENG101English Composition I

3

HES103RICCS: Preparing for Success in a Healthcare Career

1

HES115Medical Terminology

3

HES201Healthcare Law and Ethics

3

Courses with Prerequisites: HES201

Choose one of the Concentrations Below

Course NumberTitleCredits

EKG and Nursing Assistant Concentration

Course NumberTitleCredits
CVT101Electrocardiography I

3

CVT111Electrocardiography II

3

HES112Nursing Assistant

6

Course with Prerequisite: CVT111

Phlebotomy and EKG Concentration

Course NumberTitleCredits
CVT101Electrocardiography I

3

CVT111Electrocardiography II

3

HES120Phlebotomy

3

HES121Phlebotomy Externship

2

Courses with Prerequisites: HES201, Computer Elective, CVT111, HES121

Phlebotomy and Nursing Assistant Concentration

Course NumberTitleCredits
HES112Nursing Assistant

6

HES120Phlebotomy

3

HES121Phlebotomy Externship

2

Courses with Prerequisites: HES121

Elective

Computer Elective CIS110 or higher for Phlebotomy and EKG Concentration  3-4
Course NumberTitleCredits

Program Notes

Recommended Course Sequence Healthcare Technician Certificate EKG and Nursing Assistant Concentration

Course NumberTitleCredits

Year 1

Course NumberTitleCredits
Fall
Course NumberTitleCredits
CIS110Computer Applications

3

CVT101Electrocardiography I

3

ENG101English Composition I

3

HES115Medical Terminology

3

Spring
Course NumberTitleCredits
CVT111Electrocardiography II

3

HES103RICCS: Preparing for Success in a Healthcare Career

1

HES112Nursing Assistant

6

Recommended Course Sequence Healthcare Technician Certificate Phlebotomy and EKG Concentration

Course NumberTitleCredits

Year 1

Course NumberTitleCredits
Fall
Course NumberTitleCredits
CIS110Computer Applications

3

CVT101Electrocardiography I

3

ENG101English Composition I

3

HES115Medical Terminology

3

Spring
Course NumberTitleCredits
CVT111Electrocardiography II

3

HES103RICCS: Preparing for Success in a Healthcare Career

1

HES120Phlebotomy

3

HES121Phlebotomy Externship

2

HES201Healthcare Law and Ethics

3

Recommended Course Sequence Healthcare Technician Certificate Phlebotomy and Nursing Assistant Concentration

Course NumberTitleCredits

Year 1

Course NumberTitleCredits
Fall
Course NumberTitleCredits
CIS110Computer Applications

3

ENG101English Composition I

3

HES112Nursing Assistant

6

HES115Medical Terminology

3

Spring
Course NumberTitleCredits
HES103RICCS: Preparing for Success in a Healthcare Career

1

HES120Phlebotomy

3

HES121Phlebotomy Externship

2

HES201Healthcare Law and Ethics

3