Program Overview
If you are seeking a career in the health care field, like working with people, and possess good interpersonal skills, a career as a Healthcare Technician may be for you. Healthcare Technicians perform EKGs (electrocardiograms) on patients to record and monitor their heart rate and rhythm. They also draw blood from patients and prepare specimens for testing or storage. Most Healthcare Technicians work in hospitals, but some also work in doctors’ offices and medical and diagnostic labs.
The iHealth@NECC’s Healthcare Technician certificate will prepare you for employment as an entry level EKG technician and phlebotomist. The program includes classroom theory and laboratory practices, anatomy and physiology of the heart, legal aspects of patient care, and electrocardiography and the proper use and functions of the EKG machine. Phlebotomy content includes classroom theory and laboratory practices, anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system, and the use of patient simulators to enhance the development of competency before your clinical externship. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the National Healthcare Association certification exam for EKG Technicians and Phlebotomists. Graduates are also eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) examination under the Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) category, Route 2.
Career Opportunities
Graduates will be able to pursue many career paths. Healthcare Technicians work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, and more.
Program Requirements
Students who attend the Healthcare Technician program through iHealth@NECC will complete most of their course work in online courses and come to our Lawrence campus one day or evening a week for in-class meetings and laboratory sessions. (Note: If taking the program during the evening, the third session will require two evenings per week.) Students should be aware that the Phlebotomy externship will require an additional full-time day commitment in a healthcare facility for approximately three to four weeks.
Program science courses must be completed within (5) years prior to the anticipated start date of the program to count towards completing the certificate. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all CVT & HES courses in order to graduate. A minimum of 24 credits hours are required for graduation.
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.
Drug Screening
Students enrolled in this academic program may be required to pass a random drug screening analysis.
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.
Elective
Healthcare Technician Certificate Required Courses
| CVT101 | Electrocardiography I | 3 |
| CVT111 | Electrocardiography II | 3 |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| HES103 | RICCS: Preparing for Success in a Healthcare Career | 1 |
| HES115 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HES120 | Phlebotomy | 3 |
| HES121 | Phlebotomy Externship | 2 |
| HES201 | Healthcare Law and Ethics | 3 |
Program Notes
Recommended Course Sequence Healthcare Technician Certificate
Year 1
Fall
Spring
| CVT111 | Electrocardiography II | 3 |
| HES103 | RICCS: Preparing for Success in a Healthcare Career | 1 |
| HES120 | Phlebotomy | 3 |
| HES121 | Phlebotomy Externship | 2 |
| HES201 | Healthcare Law and Ethics | 3 |