Fall Allied Health

Fall 2026 Community Education Allied Health Courses

Basic EMT Training

Mondays and Wednesdays
August 24 – January 13 
5:45-9:45 p.m. 
CRN# 90490
CFP 001-51
Fee: $700/EMT fee: $150
Administrative fee: $150 (Admin. fee is non-refundable)

This course is designed to meet New York State Health Department (Bureau of Emergency Health Services) requirements for Emergency Medical Technician training. Students should note that some Saturday sessions are required in addition to regularly scheduled class hours. All students must be at least 17 years old before the end of course date. Register for Basic EMT Training

EMT Refresher

Mondays
August 24 – December 14 
5:45-9:45 p.m.
CRN# 90491
CFP 002-51
Fee: $335/Lab Fee: $75
Administrative fee: $75 (Admin. fee is non-refundable)

This course is designed to meet New York State Health Department (Bureau of Emergency Health Services) requirements for EMT Refresher. New laws and policies will be discussed, as well as new technologies appropriate to the course that have been introduced during the past three years. Prerequisite: A student may have a current EMT card that will soon expire; a student who was certified as a NYS Emergency Medical Technician may have a lapsed certification; a student who has previously failed the Final Practical Skills Exam within one year or has failed the state written certifying exam after a second attempt may enroll in the refresher course. Register for EMT Refresher

Healthcare Courses Including Allied Healthcare Training

Build your career in healthcare and choose from a variety of work settings including assisted living facilities, long-term care centers, rehabilitation facilities, patient homes, hospitals, and clinics. In response to market-driven research, our training leads to high demand jobs in entry and mid-level positions. Don’t know which path to pursue? We’ll guide you based on your interests and personal goals.

The following Healthcare courses will be held either in person, online or in a hybrid model of online lecture with in-person labs. Courses where students meet in person or for labs and/or examinations will be held at our Center City location in downtown Schenectady.

Please call the Office of Workforce Development and Community Education at 518-595-1101 ext. 3 for additional information, visit our healthcare website or e-mail us at [email protected].

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)/Personal Care Aide (PCA)/Home Health Aide (HHA)

CFE 007
Fee: $2,300

The tri-certification program trains students to become certified as Personal Care Aides (PCA) and to upgrade their training to receive the Home Health Aide (HHA) certification. In addition, it prepares students to take the written and practical skill exam to obtain the New York State Nurse Aide Certification. Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) and perform delegated tasks involving personal care of residents at long-term care skilled nursing facilities. Most CNAs work with the elderly; however, CNAs are also in demand for work with children and developmentally disabled residents. PCAs and HHAs work primarily in-home care settings and in assisted living facilities. This course has a minimum of 100 classroom hours and a minimum of 38 hours of field experience in clinical sites. Included in the course is an additional 40 hours of Personal Care Aide and 48 hours of Personal Care Aide upgrade training for those who prefer to work in a home setting. The CNA course (including the PCA and PCA upgrade) is taught in English and lasts approximately eight weeks. To ensure success, more than the required number of classroom and lab hours are provided. Classes are held in our Center City location in Schenectady.

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)

CFE 037
Fee: $1,900

The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program prepares students to take the written and practical skill exam to obtain the New York State Nurse Aide Certification. A Certified Nurse Aide performs delegated tasks involving personal care of residents of long-term care skilled nursing facilities. The majority of CNAs are employed at geriatric nursing facilities; however, CNAs are also in demand for work with pediatric and developmentally disabled residents. The SUNY Schenectady Allied Healthcare CNA course has a minimum of 90 classroom hours and a minimum of 30 hours of rotations in clinical sites. Included in the training is an additional 40 hours of Personal Care Aide (PCA) training for those who might prefer to work in home settings. Applicants will need to supply required medical information and have no criminal background. It is advised to contact our office to obtain additional information and the necessary forms well in advance of the class.

Home Health Aide (HHA)

CFE 014
Fee: $1,250

This training covers material for both Personal Care Aide (PCA) and Home Health Aide (HHA). It provides students with the foundation of working in a home setting and providing care ranging from personal care for the elderly, disabled, and infants to taking vital signs. There is growing demand and high need for in-home care professionals in our region. An HHA has a scope of care/services that is wider and more advanced than a PCA. The course is taught in English and has a minimum of 80 hours of classroom and lab experience followed by 8 hours of clinical rotation at a local Assisted Living facility. Students who successfully complete course requirements receive HHA certification and are entered into the New York State Department of Health Home Care Registry.

Personal Care Aide (PCA)

CFE 016
Fee: $880

The Personal Care Aide (PCA) training provides students with the foundation of working in a home setting and providing care limited to personal care and light household work. The 40 hours of training is needed to pass the certification exam.

Personal Care Aide (PCA) Upgrade to Home Health Aide (HHA)

CFE 017
Fee: $900

This course is designed for those who already have the Personal Care Aide (PCA) certification and wish to acquire additional training to become a certified Home Health Aide (HHA). The training is two weeks long and covers the required 35 hours of classroom and clinical lab as well as the eight hours of clinical experience in an assisted living facility setting.

Phlebotomy Technician

CFE 018
Fee: $2,050

Phlebotomists are health care professionals who draw blood and other specimens from patients or blood donors for medical testing and processing. This certificate program prepares professionals to collect blood specimens from clients for the purpose of laboratory analysis. Students will become familiar with all aspects related to blood collection and develop comprehensive skills to perform venipunctures completely and safely. Classroom and lab work include terminology, anatomy, and physiology; blood collection procedures; specimen hands-on practice; and training in skills and techniques to perform puncture methods. A minimum of a 40-hour internship or 100 successful venipunctures, whichever comes first, is required after the class and before sitting for the national exam. Internship placements are done at local hospitals and depend on the availability of sites. High school diploma or equivalency are required to take the national exam.

Community Health Worker (CHW)

CFE 020
Fee: $1,800

Community Health Workers (CHW) are a vital link to promote health and wellness throughout communities and to lower health care costs. Certified Community Health Workers act as part of a team within public-health, hospital, social-service, and other community support organizations to promote health and wellness, and to provide support and services as directed by the organization through outreach, education, referral and follow-ups, case management, advocacy, and home-visiting services. Prior experience in the field of healthcare (CNA, HHA, EMT) or medical science OR prior experience in community engagement, either paid or volunteer as demonstrated by confirmation by the sponsoring organization, is preferred. The certification can be obtained after successful completion of 96 hours of classroom training and 108 hours of internship with area hospitals, medical centers, and other healthcare or community organizations. Classes are held in the evening to accommodate student workers and will take place in the Fall Semester with internships beginning on or about January of the following year and in the Spring Semester with internships starting in late May of each year. High school diploma or equivalency is preferred.

Behavioral Health Technician

CFE 019
Fee: $1,200

Behavioral Health Technicians care for people who have mental impairments. They assist doctors and nurses with the treatment of patients who have various behavioral problems, such as substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental instability, developmental disabilities, and physical and emotional abuse. Technicians typically provide therapeutic care and monitor their patient’s conditions. Techs help patients in their daily activities and ensure a safe and clean environment. They are expected to understand and implement individual treatment plans, record patient behavior, and provide a safe, supportive environment for the patients. Technicians may provide patients with their daily prescribed medications in addition to observing and recording activities of daily living. The course prepares participants to work in hospitals, clinics, or social service agencies. It can be used as a stackable credential to Community Health Worker or as a standalone training for various other professions such as Certified Peer Recovery Advocate.

Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)

CFE 040
Fee: $3,000

The Certified Recovery Peer Advocate course provides the required training for provisional certification (CRPA-P), as well as the follow up requirements for full CRPA certification. The primary function of a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate is facilitating outreach with individuals currently in a program or considering treatment.

Clinical Medical Assistant Microcredential

Medical Assistants play an essential role in medical offices working alongside physicians, nurses, and others in healthcare teams, typically in outpatient settings such as clinics and medical offices. A medical assistant tends to do both clinical and administrative tasks that increase quality of patient care and improve office efficiency. This program consists of four courses (Electronic Health Records, Phlebotomy Technician, Medical Terminology, Clinical Care & Rotation) that can be completed over two semesters.

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)

Assist people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in realizing their full potential and becoming valued and participating members of their communities. DSPs are responsible for providing direct care, medication administration, health, and allied health treatment, teaching independent living skills, behavioral assessment, crisis prevention, intervention, and more.  DSPs may work in family or individual homes, residential group homes, community job sites, vocational and day programs, and other locations.