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Allied Health

Summer 2024 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.

Medical Insurance Claims Processor and Customer Service 

CFE 037

Section #1: Foundations in Health Insurance, Fee: $700
Section #2: Health Insurance Customer Service, Fee: $800
Section #3: Health Insurance Claim Processor, Fee: $900

This program is a three-part program designed to provide students with the fundamentals of administrative, technological, and essential skills/competencies to gain employment in the health and dental insurance field. Students will receive a basic understanding of general medical terminology and medical/dental insurance terminology specifically, specialized administrative skills in the areas of medical insurance, medical billing, claim processing, medical documentation, insurance plan and healthcare administrative management, ethical and professional behavior with respect to confidentiality compliance, HIPAA rules, customer needs, problem solving, and critical thinking skills knowledge of current health insurance trends and regulatory updates.

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) 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 eight 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 Assistant (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 healthcare 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.