Allied Health
Summer 2025 Community Education Allied Health Courses
Build your career in healthcare and choose from a variety of work settings including assisted living facilities, long-term care centers, rehabilitation facilities, patient homes, hospitals and clinics. In response to market-driven research, our training leads to high demand jobs in entry and mid-level positions. Don’t know which path to pursue? We’ll guide you based on your interests and personal goals.
The following Healthcare courses will be held either in person, online or in a hybrid model of online lecture with in-person labs. Courses where students meet in person or for labs and/or examinations will be held at our Center City location in downtown Schenectady.
Please call the Office of Workforce Development and Community Education at 518-595-1101 ext. 3 for additional information, visit our healthcare website or e-mail us at healthcare@sunysccc.edu.
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)/Personal Care Aide (PCA)/Home Health Aide (HHA)
CFE 007 +017
Fee: $2,300
The tri-certification program trains students to become certified as Personal Care
Aides (PCA) and to upgrade their training to receive the Home Health Aide (HHA) certification.
In addition, it prepares students to take the written and practical skill exam to
obtain the New York State Nurse Aide Certification. Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) and
perform delegated tasks involving personal care of residents at long-term care skilled
nursing facilities. Most CNAs work with the elderly; however CNAs are also in demand
for work with children and developmentally disabled residents. PCAs and HHAs work
primarily in home care settings and in assisted living facilities. This course has
a minimum of 100 classroom hours and a minimum of 38 hours of field experience in
clinical sites. Included in the course is an additional 40 hours of Personal Care
Aide and 48 hours of Personal Care Aide upgrade training for those who prefer to work
in a home setting. The CNA course (including the PCA and PCA upgrade) is taught in
English and lasts approximately eight weeks. To ensure success, more than the required
number of classroom and lab hours are provided. Classes are held in our Center City
location in Schenectady.
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
CFE 037
Fee: $1,800
The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program prepares students to take the written and practical
skill exam to obtain the New York State Nurse Aide Certification. A Certified Nurse
Aide performs delegated tasks involving personal care of residents of long-term care
skilled nursing facilities. The majority of CNAs are employed at geriatric nursing
facilities; however, CNAs are also in demand for work with pediatric and developmentally
disabled residents. The SUNY Schenectady Allied Healthcare CNA course has a minimum
of 90 classroom hours and a minimum of 30 hours of rotations in clinical sites. Included
in the training is an additional 40 hours of Personal Care Aide (PCA) training for
those who might prefer to work in home settings. Applicants will need to supply required
medical information and have no criminal background. It is advised to contact our
office to obtain additional information and the necessary forms well in advance of
the class.
Home Health Aide (HHA)
CFE 014
Fee: $1,200
This training covers material for both Personal Care Aide (PCA) and Home Health Aide
(HHA). It provides students with the foundation of working in a home setting and providing
care ranging from personal care for the elderly, disabled and infants to taking vital
signs. There is growing demand and high need for in-home care professionals in our
region. An HHA has a scope of care/services that is wider and more advanced than a
PCA. The course is taught in English and has a minimum of 80 hours of classroom and
lab experience followed by 8 hours of clinical rotation at a local Assisted Living
facility. Students who successfully complete course requirements receive HHA certification
and are entered into the New York State Department of Health Home Care Registry.
Personal Care Aide (PCA)
CFE 016
Fee: $800
The Personal Care Aide (PCA) training provides students with the foundation of working
in a home setting and providing care limited to personal care and light household
work. The 40 hours of training is needed to pass the certification exam.
Personal Care Aide (PCA) Upgrade to Home Health Aide (HHA)
CFE 017
Fee: $825
This course is designed for those who already have the Personal Care Aide (PCA) certification
and wish to acquire additional training to become a certified Home Health Aide (HHA).
The training is two weeks long and covers the required 35 hours of classroom and clinical
lab as well as the eight hours of clinical experience in an assisted living facility
setting.
Phlebotomy Technician
CFE 018
Fee: $2,000
Phlebotomists are health care professionals who draw blood and other specimens from
patients or blood donors for medical testing and processing. This certificate program
prepares professionals to collect blood specimens from clients for the purpose of
laboratory analysis. Students will become familiar with all aspects related to blood
collection and develop comprehensive skills to perform venipunctures completely and
safely. Classroom and lab work include terminology, anatomy, and physiology; blood
collection procedures; specimen hands-on practice; and training in skills and techniques
to perform puncture methods. A minimum of a 40-hour internship or 100 successful venipunctures,
whichever comes first, is required after the class and before sitting for the national
exam. Internship placements are done at local hospitals and depend on the availability
of sites. High school diploma or equivalency are required to take the national exam.
EKG Technician
CFE 025
Fee: $1,550
The EKG Technician program prepares students to function as EKG technicians and to
obtain a national level certification. This course covers key areas and topics such
as detailed anatomy and physiology of the heart; medical disease processes and terminology;
medical ethics and legal aspects of patient contact; electrocardiography and echocardiography;
an introduction to the components, function, and proper use of the EKG machine; the
normal anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement; 12 lead placement, and
other practices. At the end of the course, participants can sit for the national exam
if they have successfully completed the class and hold a high school diploma or equivalency.
Community Health Worker (CHW)
CFE 020
Fee: $1,800
Community Health Workers (CHW) are a vital link to promote health and wellness throughout
communities and to lower health care costs. Certified Community Health Workers act
as part of a team within public-health, hospital, social-service, and other community
support organizations to promote health and wellness, and to provide support and services
as directed by the organization through outreach, education, referral and follow-ups,
case management, advocacy, and home-visiting services. Prior experience in the field
of healthcare (CNA, HHA, EMT) or medical science OR prior experience in community
engagement, either paid or volunteer as demonstrated by confirmation by the sponsoring
organization, is preferred. The certification can be obtained after successful completion
of 96 hours of classroom training and 108 hours of internship with area hospitals,
medical centers, and other healthcare or community organizations. Classes are held
in the evening to accommodate student workers and will take place in the Fall Semester
with internships beginning on or about January of the following year and in the Spring
Semester with internships starting in late May of each year. High school diploma or
equivalency is preferred.
Behavioral Health Technician
CFE 019
Fee: $1,200
Behavioral Health Technicians care for people who have mental impairments. They assist
doctors and nurses with the treatment of patients who have various behavioral problems,
such as substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental instability, developmental
disabilities, and physical and emotional abuse. Technicians typically provide therapeutic
care and monitor their patient’s conditions. Techs help patients in their daily activities
and ensure a safe and clean environment. They are expected to understand and implement
individual treatment plans, record patient behavior, and provide a safe, supportive
environment for the patients. Technicians may provide patients with their daily prescribed
medications in addition to observing and recording activities of daily living. The
course prepares participants to work in hospitals, clinics, or social service agencies.
It can be used as a stackable credential to Community Health Worker or as a standalone
training for various other professions such as Certified Peer Recovery Advocate.
Medical Administrative Assistant (MAA)
CFE 028
Fee: $1,950
The evolution of medical services has created a strong demand in the area of Medical
Administrative Assistant. Known also as Medical Office Secretary, Medical Receptionist
or Medical Office Assistant, the position offers opportunities to enter the area of
medical service. The training is designed to provide students with the skills necessary
to provide administrative support in a medical office (scheduling, reception, telephone,
and customer service), a basic understanding of medical terminology, enhanced oral
and written communication skills necessary to provide administrative assistance, ability
to help with transcription, and marketing and healthcare administrative management.
In addition, ethical and professional behavior, respect of confidentiality, HIPAA
rules, and patient needs along with problem-solving and critical thinking skills,
will be addressed. Successful completion of the course allows students to take a national
certification exam, provided they have a high school equivalency or diploma.
Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)
CFE 040
Fee: $3,000
The Certified Recovery Peer Advocate course provides the required training for provisional
certification (CRPA-P), as well as the follow up requirements for full CRPA certification.
The primary function of a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate is facilitating outreach
with individuals currently in a program or considering treatment.
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants play an essential role in medical offices working alongside physicians, nurses, and others in healthcare teams, typically in outpatient settings such as clinics and medical offices. A medical assistant tends to do both clinical and administrative tasks that increase quality of patient care and improve office efficiency. This program consists of five courses that can be completed over two semesters. To request an application for this program, please contact healthcare@sunysccc.edu or 518-595-1101 ext. 3.