By blending the certified nursing assistant (CNA) experience with activity professional training, Collin College’s Activity Care Professional Program was designed. The rationale behind the ACP program is that “staying healthy and being involved in life is an important component of successful aging” (Bender, 2018). The need is imperative for individuals to be trained and certified to work in this field as “ten thousand people will turn 65 every day for the next 11 years and by 2029, 18 percent of the U.S. population will be 65 or older” (2018). Collin College’s Activity Care Professional program provides students the unique opportunity to enter into a career path that will prepare them to help meet the healthcare profession’s overarching need “to help older adults live longer, healthier, happier lives” (2018).
Students who graduate from Collin College’s Activity Care Professional Program will have a greater likelihood of long-term success in the fastest growing, highest demand sector for tomorrow’s health care professionals meeting the needs for holistic population health and well care. The opportunities in this field for advanced placement, growth, innovation, and further education are endless. These Activity Care Professionals will be not only be hired in long-term care, nursing home, adult day centers, and memory care facilities, but are integral to population health, community health, the rehabilitation service industry, in PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly), hospice, home care, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing, geriatric services, Autism Speaks, Special Olympics, Veterans’ Affairs, balance recovery, brain health and memory care services, in-home rehabilitation, and in athletic and sports rehabilitation services. The activity care professional’s value to healthcare cannot be underestimated, given that those who work in this profession help to advance the physical, psychosocial, and cognitive wellbeing of clients and residents, meaningful engagement being the foundation of person-centered care (NAAPCC, 2018).
Traditional adult students wishing to enroll in the program should possess a High School Diploma or GED prior to beginning the course work. Students wishing to enter into the degree plan, will need to make application to do so, the requirements for which will include the need to take the test for Health Occupations with 75% minimum competency rate earned, which will be waived for those who hold current State of Texas CNA certification.
If your program requires a criminal background check, your placement in a required clinical site, cooperative, practicum, internship, and/or licensure/certification opportunity may be impacted. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Program Director and check with your licensing/certifying entity, if any, to determine your status.
The curriculum contains both transfer and workforce courses. The workforce courses are mainly offered at the Technical Campus and the Wylie Campus. For additional information, please contact the Health Professions Director at 214-491-6253.
FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES/CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS STATEMENT
After initial acceptance to this program, all students are required to meet specific functional abilities with or without accommodations for successful completion of the program and to function safely and effectively in the variety of the profession’s settings. The specific functional requirements are found in “Functional Abilities/Core Performance Standards” documents provided in the program information and application forms. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the college ACCESS department as soon as this program is of interest.
ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
In addition to meeting Collin College Admission & Graduation Requirements, students would need to complete the following prior to acceptance to the program.
- Program Application
- Interview Drug Screening
- Background Check
- Test for Health Occupations with 75% minimum competency rate will need to be earned prior to entering into the Activity Professional program.
- In order to graduate from the program, students must successfully complete each course in the program with a grade of 75% C, or better.
- Students must also complete the 200 clinical hours (externship) in a long-term, nursing home, or assisted living residential care setting as assigned by the college.
Prior to enrolling in any clinical courses, students must complete all immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)*. All required workforce courses require a minimum grade of 75% to continue in the program.
* It is important to note that one of the required vaccinations, Hepatitis B, consists of a three dose series, which can take up to 7 months to complete. Individuals unable to receive the HBV must inform the Program Coordinator. In such cases, the applicant must sign a declination form. All immunizations must be complete before assignment to clinical training.
Health Insurance - All Health Profession students are required to show proof of health insurance prior to starting clinical rotations each semester.
CPR - Requires current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR certification.
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