Professional Career Institute School Catalog

Table of Contents

General Information

• Welcome From the CEO
• History of Professional Career Institute
  
• Our Mission Statement
  
• School Philosophy
  
• Educational Objectives
  
• Equal Opportunity Statement
• Facilities

Admissions

• Application Procedures
  
• Requirements
  
• Acceptance Notification

Tuition

• Tuition Charges
  
• Cancellation Policy
  
• Termination Policy

Academic Policy

• Satisfactory Academic Progress
  
• Attendance Policy
  
• Make-up Work
  
• Graduation Requirements

Programs of Study

• Nurse Aide Training
  
• Medication Aide Training
  
• Patient Care Aide Training

Course Schedules

• Nurse Aide Training
  
• Medication Aide Training
  
• Patient Care Training

 Faculty and Student Information

• Student Responsibility and Requirements
  
• Grading Information
  
• Student Complaints Career
  
• Student Records
  
• Code of Conduct
  
• Dress Code
  
• Absence and Tardiness
  
• Refund Policy
  
• School Holidays
  
• Dismissal From School
  

The faculty, staff, and your fellow students would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Professional Career Institute (PCI).

We understand this is an important first step in your commitment to continue your education. The skills learned at PCI will be your springboard to success in an exciting new career field.

As you read through our catalog and meet our staff, you will quickly learn the tradition that is the foundation of PCI. We want you to succeed! Our innovative and accelerated approach to learning helps you achieve your goals in a minimal amount of time. Our day and evening class schedules accommodate the working student.

When evaluating our school, you will see each of our programs combine basic theory with extensive hands-on application in labs which will prepare you for your job.  Our dynamic student body is comprised of a diverse group of students just graduating high school, wanting to make a career change, re-entering the workforce and current professionals increasing their skills.
 

We invite you to visit Professional Career Institute. Our admissions personnel will provide you with a guided tour and discuss with you, your goals and career objectives. You will see how our modern business and technical equipment is used by our faculty, to train you in a caring, friendly, and professional environment.

At PCI, you will study only those career-related subjects necessary to complete your training in the shortest possible time. If you encounter problems on your planned road to success, we will be there to help you overcome those difficulties.

Our faculty and staff have a deep commitment to helping you achieve your desired success. We encourage you to join the other successful graduates of the Professional Career Institute who have come before you. In this spirit, we invite you to join us at Professional Career Institute.
 

Sincerely,

Valerie Bester, CEO

The tradition of excellence in education and career services for the Professional Career Institute began in 2008 in Richmond, Virginia.

The current courses that are being offered are Nurse Aide Training, Medication Aide Training and Personal Care Aide Training. We also offer Nurse Aide Refresher, Medication Aide Refresher.

The mission of the Professional Career Institute is not only to expand career and technical schools throughout the United States but to add additional programs several times a year which will include diploma programs as well.

Today, there are ten full-time employees who work for the organization that operates throughout Virginia. The schools are dedicated to providing quality education. PCI is offering classes that are among the fastest-growing career fields of today and in the future.

We help Youths and Adult students gain the skills and attitudes necessary for a meaningful entry-level career position. We strive to be responsive to the needs of not only our students, but also area businesses, industries, and government.

We are committed to high academic standards in all of our curricular offerings. We are dedicated to providing the services that support our students’ efforts to succeed.

Professional Career Institute is committed to the education and personal enrichment of each student. Students can succeed in our career-focused environment when properly motivated, taught to set goals, and encouraged to take responsibility for their own success in furthering their education. Our classroom sizes are smaller for more individualized learning. Each program that is offered is specifically designed and geared for careers that are in demand.

In accordance with the school’s philosophy, the school is devoted to the following objectives:

• To motivate, educate, and develop students to their maximum potential while enrolled in their chosen field of study.
• To maintain all instruction in a job-related environment to ensure graduates have the greatest potential for employment in the occupational fields for which they are trained.
• To offer dedicated and qualified instructors that provide the tools for learning that will enhance each student’s future success.
• To create an atmosphere for learning that is both personal and practical, while in a school that is friendly and informative.
• To enable students to establish independence through successful employment in their chosen career field.

The goal of the Professional Career Institute is to present the opportunity for job development and career advancement to all persons who commit to this goal when enrolling in school. This opportunity is given to all persons without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, or national origin.

Our Facility has three (3) lecture classrooms, two (2) labs, reception area, conference room and offices. Class sizes average 10 - 12 students.

Admissions

• High School Diploma or GED Certificate
• 18 years or older*

          * Under 18 must have an approved co-signer

• Pass a Criminal Background Check (Director of Admissions will determine eligibility).
  

An acknowledgment is immediately sent to the applicant upon acceptance for admission to the school. This may be provisional acceptance until such time as a determination can be made regarding the acceptance of financial terms. Applicants agree to submit all information required by the school to determine the acceptance of the terms of enrollment. Applicants will be considered accepted students if they are allowed to attend the first day of class.

A prospective student’s signed Student Enrollment Agreement does not constitute a contract until it has been approved by the Director of Admissions.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

In order to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress toward completion of a program, a student must maintain a specific average of at least 80%.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is of extreme importance in every program that is offered by our schools. Please receive specific clarification from your admissions representative regarding attendance for your program of interest.

Make-Up Work

Students are required to attend all their classes, so there is no difference between an excused or unexcused absence from class. Any class not attended detracts from the overall instruction being offered. Normally, instructors will make arrangements on the student’s time, outside of class, to make-up tests or other missed work. It is the responsibility of the student to contact each instructor and make appropriate arrangements before the next class meeting to complete any missed work. If a test is not taken within three school days after returning to class, a grade of zero may be recorded.

Graduation Requirements

In order to qualify for graduation from a certificate program, a student must have achieved a minimum of at least 80% average in their program. If your program requires you to have a minimum number of hours in order to receive your diploma or certificate, this must be met in addition to the 80% average in that specific program.

Individuals who are interested in Nurse Aide Training will gain a distinct competitive advantage by obtaining a certificate of completion in nurse aide training after only six weeks. As a nurse assistant, you will play a vital role in healthcare delivery. Many nurse assistants become the principal caregivers for patients, developing ongoing relationships and having a positive, caring influence in the patients’ lives. You will have the opportunity to improve patients’ quality of life and ensure that they receive the best care possible. Nurse Assistant training at PCI gives you the skills you need to work with patients and physicians.

Upon completion of the Nurse Assistant class, you can be ready for a rewarding, new career in:

• Doctors’ Offices
• Hospitals
• Nursing Homes
• Private Homes
• Clinics
• Home Health Agencies
  

Individuals who are interested in Medication Aide training will gain a distinct competitive advantage by obtaining a certificate of completion in Medication Aide training after only two weeks. This is a 68-hour course. In order to take this course, you must already be a CNA, PCA, . You will need to provide supporting documentation. The student will learn common drug classifications, indications, generic and brand names, dosages, side effects, as well as the proper principles and procedures for the administration of medications. The student will be introduced to information found on a prescription and appropriate pharmacological terminology and abbreviations. Emphasis will be placed on using pharmacology reference materials; accurate calculation of drug dosages using standard pharmaceutical principles; identification of proper equipment, preparation, and administration of injectable medication; and adherence to infection control standards.

Upon completion of the Medication Aide class, you can be ready for a rewarding, new career in:

• Doctors’ Offices
• Nursing Homes
• Private Home
• Clinics
• Home Health Agencies
  

Individuals who are interested in Patient Care Aide Training will gain a distinct competitive advantage by obtaining a certificate of completion inpatient care aide training after only two weeks. As a patient care aide, you will play a vital role in healthcare delivery. Many patient care aides become the principal caregivers for patients, developing ongoing relationships and having a positive, caring influence in the patients’ lives. You will have the opportunity to improve patients’ quality of life and ensure that they receive the best care possible. Patient Care Aide training at PCI gives you the skills you need to work with patients and care for their individual needs.

Upon completion of the Patient Care Aide Training class, you can be ready for a rewarding, new career in:

• Nursing Homes
  
• Private Homes
• Home Health Agencies

Student Responsibility and Requirements

Professional Career Institute requires that each and every student be responsible for their own education. Students at PCI are required to study all material, do all homework assignments, and actively participate in classroom and clinical activities. All classroom equipment is the property of PCI and any disrespect or vandalism to a property will result in immediate dismissal from the program. 

Grading Information

Each student will be responsible for their own success. If additional help is needed outside of the regular classroom schedule, please ask the instructor for personal after-class tutoring. Each student will receive their daily grades from their instructors. You must have an 80% in the class to pass. If there is a score lower than what is required, you must re-enroll to take the course in order to receive a certificate.
 

Student Complaints

Professional Career Institute realizes that disagreements may arise during the course of an intensive training program. All faculty, staff, and participants within our school are expected to conduct themselves professionally and to address potential sources of conflict constructively. Each student will receive a form at the time of enrollment that explains the process of filing a complaint with the Program Manager. If any student files a complaint, it will be kept confidential and action will be taken. Students will not be subject to unfair action or treatment at a result of the initiation of a complaint.

Career

Professional Career Institute provides the highest quality of education. PCI gives our students all of the tools and skills necessary to succeed in the medical field.

Student Records

PCI keeps a detailed record of each student that comes through the different programs. Each file is kept confidential and only authorized personnel may access them. Upon completion of the course, each file is archived with grades and other information that was provided by both the student and the school. These records are kept for five years. If for any reason a student needs to access his/her academic records, there must be a written request submitted to the Admissions Department two weeks prior to when the documents are needed. It is the Program Manager’s discretion to satisfy or reject these requests.

Code of Conduct

Upon enrollment with Professional Career Institute, each student received and signed a Code of Conduct that pertains to the course they are taking. Any violators of this code will be sent to Admissions for disciplinary action including but not limited to termination from the program. It is the Program Manager’s discretion as to whether that student will be allowed re-admittance.

Dress Code

Each class offered at Professional Career Institute has a strict dress code. Students are required to be in uniform with all required supplies and equipment for every class. If students do not comply with this dress code, they will be asked to leave the program.

Absence and Tardiness

Classroom and clinical participation is vital to being a successful student. Students are not allowed to miss any class time. If there is an emergency where the student may be absent or tardy to class, the Admissions Department must be notified prior to the beginning of the class. Students who arrive to class late will be sent to Admissions for disciplinary action. Tardiness is defined as being more than five minutes late to any class or clinical. You are asked to arrive fifteen minutes early everyday to class. If any student misses more than two days of class, that student will be withdrawn from the program without a refund for monies paid.

Refund Policy

Professional Career Institute reserves the right to decline any and all refunds. If you are requesting a refund, it will be reviewed by the Program Manager on a case by case basis. All refunds will be sent out to the payees' address on file within sixty days of the written request. There are no refunds or transfers for those failing to attend, or who do not pass the course. If paying with a credit card, a refund is issued to the same card only.

School Holidays

New Year’s Day

Independence Day

Martin Luther King Day

Labor Day

Easter Break

Thanksgiving Break

Memorial Day

Christmas Break

DISMISSAL FROM SCHOOL

PCI reserves the right to terminate a student’s enrollment for any of the following reasons:

1. Destruction or unauthorized removal of school property.
2. Failure to meet financial obligations.
3. Misconduct to include dishonesty, violence, or plagiarism.
4. Possession or consumption of illegal drugs and/or alcohol.
5. Dress code/ Code of conduct violations.
6. Disrespect to faculty/peers.
7. Sub-satisfactory grades, tardiness, and absenteeism