Health Care Support

The Health Care Support program offers exciting opportunities for people who are considering entry into the health care field, as well as to current health care providers who want additional credentials or an Associate of Applied Science degree to complement their current skills. The program allows students to complete personal goals for attaining credentials required or preferred by employers in nearly all health care sectors - hospitals, long term care centers, physician practices, home care, and community services. Students may also complete the AAS degree, which offers courses relevant to many other health care professions, as well.

SAMPLE CAREERS IN THIS FIELD: Phlebotomists, Pharmacy Technicians, EMTs, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and Qualified Medication Aides (QMA), Home Health Specialists, Massage Therapists, or Electrocardiography Technicians (ECG)

DEGREES AVAILABLE: Associate of Applied Science, Certificate. Availability of concentrations and degrees varies by campus. Contact your campus of interest below for more information.

HEALTH CARE SUPPORT CERTIFICATES
Certificates are sequences of technical and professional courses. They provide access to targeted, short-term workforce training, and completers may sit for specific certification exams. Courses in certificate programs also apply toward technical certificates and associate degree programs in the subject area.

• Electrocardiography Technician (21 credits)
  Upon completion leads to Certified Cardiographic Examination through Cardiovascular Credentialing International, employment and/or completion of an associate degree. Program and Employment Information
• Pharmacy Technician (21 credits)
  Upon completion leads to taking the Indiana State Board of Pharmacy Certification, employment as a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT), and/or completion of an associate degree. Program and Employment Information
• Patient Care (19 credits)
  Upon completion leads to the Certified Nurse Aide Registry, Dementia Care Certification through the Alzheimer's Association, and preparation for a national certification exam for home health aide, employment and/or completion of an associate degree. Program and Employment Information
• Phlebotomy Technician (18 credits)
  Upon completion leads to taking the American Society for Clinical Pathology exam, employment in a medical assisting profession, and/or completion of an associate degree. Program and Employment Information
• Therapeutic Massage (18 credits)
  Upon completion leads to the American Society for Clinical Pathology exam, employment and/or completion of an associate degree. Program and Employment Information

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE
To earn this degree, you must have 62-67 credits in the following areas:

• General Education Core: 19-21 credits
• Professional/Technical Core: 19 credits
• Concentration Courses: 24-27 credits

Health Care Support AAS Concentrations:

• Clinical Support (24-27 credits)
  Graduates in the clinical support concentration will earn at least two certifications from the following areas: Certified Nursing Assistant, Dementia Care, Electrocardiography, Emergency Medical Technician, Home Health Aide, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, and Qualified Medication Aide. The combination of certifications will offer unique flexibility for students to meet the needs of employers in the current climate of change in the delivery of health care modalities.
• Therapeutic Massage (27 credits)
  The field of therapeutic massage is quickly evolving from a relatively new alternative medicine practice to a mainstream medical profession. This concentration prepares graduates to obtain both a national credential and state licensure for massage therapists, as required by Indiana law. Employment opportunities include private practice, chiropractor and physician offices, health clubs and spas, and manufacturing industries.

CURRICULUM
View the curriculum for this program and all others currently available at Ivy Tech.

LOCATIONS
The Health Care Support program is offered at the following campuses. Please click on the campus of interest below for contact and campus specific program information: