Point of Care Technician, Skill Set

Sherri Craddock, Point of Care Technician Program Coordinator
(304)333-3634
Sherri.Craddock@pierpont.edu

Program Purpose

This skill set is designed to prepare students for entry level point of care technician positions.  This skill set will be earned as part of the Medical Laboratory Assistant Program or qualified candidates can complete the skill set only.  This skill set can be completed in one semester.  If this is the student’s only major, it may not be financial aid eligible.

Admission into the Point of Care Technician Skill Set is based upon the following criteria:

1. Apply to Pierpont Community and Technical College for the term you want to begin the program and meet the general admission requirements or be a current student
   1. First-time students should select “Health Sciences: Point of Care Technician” as their educational goal on their application.
   2. Current students will need to complete a Change of Major form and select “Point of Care Technician (Skill Set)” as their requested major.
2. Have a high school and/or college GPA of 2.0 or better or passing score on High School Equivalency Exam.

Qualified students are accepted until capacity is met. 

As a pre-requisite to the program, students must complete LABA 2205 or have a current national certification or state license in Phlebotomy, Medical Assisting, EMT, Paramedic, LPN, RN, or Respiratory Care.  Other health career certifications may be accepted by the program coordinator.  

*Students can begin the program in the fall or spring semesters.

Program Requirements

• Students must pass a criminal background clearance check, meet health and immunization requirements, and drug testing.
• Students must be able to meet the essential functions of the program and classes, with or without accommodations.
• Students will need to provide their own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

Students must complete each course in the Point of Care Technician program model schedule with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain an overall 2.0 GPA to remain in the program.  Students who receive a “D” or “F” in a course must repeat the course before continuing in the program’s course sequence.  If students receive two such grades in the same course, they will be removed from the program.   

Readmission to the Point of Care Technician Skill Set will be determined on an individual basis. The decision will be made on the basis of the student’s prior academic performance in the program, the student’s qualifications when compared to other applicants, and the availability of space on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Point of Care Technician Skill Set Program, completers will be able to do the following:

• Perform point of care testing and obtain accurate results.
• Recognize sources of error that could produce erroneous results.
• Operate safely in a medical laboratory.
• Analyze data produced by Quality Assurance Measures.

Opportunities

Point of Care Technicians performs CLIA Waived testing on hospital floors for inpatients, in the Emergency Department, and in other diagnostic areas.  They provide testing in Physician offices and clinics.  They complete laboratory testing in the near-patient environment.

MLA 2024-2025 Student Handbook