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Patient Care Support Assistant Program

two female and three male high school students in scrubs with textbooks

At Covenant Health, we are committed to helping grow future healthcare professionals, beginning as young as high school students through our Patient Care Support Assistant Program.

About the Program

The Patient Care Support Assistant Program is designed for high schools students ages 16 and 17 interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Students have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience through rotations in various areas, including the medical/surgical unit, emergency room and the laboratory and imaging departments.

The Patient Care Support Assistant Program is currently offered at Fort Loudoun, Fort Sanders Regional, Parkwest and Roane Medical Centers, with plans to expand the program to other Covenant Health facilities.

Preparing for the Future

Students admitted to the program will have a head start on their healthcare careers. Upon graduation, many students are promoted to a Patient Care Assistant role or take the Certified Nursing Assistant exam to become a CNA. Growth tracks are also available for students interested in non-nursing roles, such as laboratory assistants.

young female in blue scrubs holding a file smiling

What to Expect

High schoolers admitted to the program will start their rotations in the summertime and continue throughout the school year. Students are expected to work at least one weekend a month. Depending on the facility, they will rotate departments roughly every two weeks.

Typical duties of PCSAs include:

  • Answering call lights
  • Assisting patients with meals
  • Checking patients’ vital signs
  • Helping post-surgery patients get up and moving
  • Helping with daily living activities (brushing teeth, changing clothes, etc.)
  • Stocking floors
  • Transporting patients
young male student in white coat in medical setting

Benefits

Contessa Stewart
I never thought I’d be working in a hospital at 17, but here I am! This program has been a great way to get my foot in the door and is a really good opportunity.

Contessa Stewart

PCSA Student, Parkwest Medical Center

Application Process

Step 1: Apply for the Program

Watch for applications to open! Applications for the PCSA positions typically open in [March].

Step 2: Interviews

If you are identified as a potential candidate, you will be asked to come in for an interview.

Step 3: Orientation

Attend an orientation to help prepare you for your program.

Covenant Health University

The Patient Care Assistant Program is a great way to start your career at Covenant Health, and the growth doesn’t stop there! As a Covenant Health employee, you’ll have access to both personal and professional development opportunities, such as tuition assistance for postsecondary education and healthcare program partnerships with local colleges and universities.

Learn more here.

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