Healthcare Facilities Technician (HFT) Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. What is the cost?
Cost as of 3/1/2019 is $197 per credit hour. The cost includes $169 Tuition, $8 Build Smart Fee, & $20 Online Fee. Books and course material is separate and may vary based on whether student already has access to material through work, rental, used, or new. Typical cost is approx. $100 - $200 per class.
Total Tuition for HFT - $1,997. Estimate Course Material $400-$600.
Q. Can I apply for Financial Aid?
Yes. Applicants who do not have access to employer tuition reimbursement, scholarships, or the personal financial resources are encouraged to apply for financial at the following website: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
Q. Do I have to pay all of the tuition up front?
No. Payment is based on the credit hours you have enrolled in. Tuition is due the week before classes start. OCTC does have a payment plan that allows for installments.
Q. Does OCTC accept military education benefits?
Yes.
Q. What is the cost to apply?
There is currently not cost to apply.
Q. How do I apply?
For the first HFT COHORT, A special application must be used or requested from Mike Canales at mike.canales@kctcs.edu
Q. Will Previous Work Experience Count Towards Credit?
The HFT credential includes 8 credit hours at no charge based on competencies that reflect work experience in the categories of Life Safety, Medical Gas, Building Ventilation, & Basic Electrical for healthcare. Competencies are to be validated and signed off by the healthcare organization the student works at. All other classes(5) that make up the HFT Certificate will be required to be taken.
Q. Is program 100% online?
Yes, other than the competencies that are to be validated and signed off by the healthcare organization the student works at.
Q. What if I do not have a preceptor or trainer that can sign me off on the competencies?
The HFL program has a network of professionals that may be able to assist. Contact Mike Canales for additional information. There may be a fee for preceptor services. This is not a service offered by OCTC.
Q. Are courses on demand or semester based?
Courses are semester based(typically 15 weeks long) with some classes starting as a “bi-term”(halfway through the semester). Typical Semesters start January, June(Summer- 8 weeks), August. Bi-term courses would typically start March & October respectively.
Q. How much time will I need each week for courses.
Typically, each class taken will require 4-6 hours a week.
Q. How long will it take to get through the HFT Certificate?
Typically 1-2 years depending on pace. See following example:
Student A Example- Completes in 2 semesters – Start August, 2019 & finish May 2020:
Fall 2019- 6 Credit Hours
| HFO 100 – Healthcare Facilities Orientation | 1 Credit Hour- very easy class |
| HFL 100 – Intro to Healthcare Facilities Management | 3 Credit Hours – modestly challenging |
| HFL 120 – Infection Prevention for The Environment of Care | 2 Credit Hours – easy pace class |
Students will require about 10-12 hours a week at the beginning, Halfway through the semester, HFO 100 &HFL 120 will be done, then students will only need about 4-6 hours a week.
Spring 2020- 4 Credit Hours (This assumes the signed off competencies have been turned in by students healthcare organization).
| HFT Cap 1 – Validation Course for Life Safety & Medical Gas | 2 Credit Hours- modestly challenging |
| HFT Cap 2 – Validation Course for Ventilation & Electrical | 2 Credit Hours – modestly challenging. |
8-10 hours a week for 15 weeks.
TAKE CERTIFIED HEALTHCARE FACILITIES TECHNICIAN(CHFT) SUMMER 2020
Student B- Slower Paced Completes in 4 Semesters – Starts August 2019, Finishes December 2020.
Fall 2019- 4 Credit Hours
| HFO 100 – Healthcare Facilities Orientation | 1 Credit Hour- very easy class |
| HFL 100 – Intro to Healthcare Facilities Management | 3 Credit Hours – modestly challenging |
Students will require about 6-8 hours a week at the beginning, Halfway through the semester, HFO 100 will be done, then students will only need about 4-6 hours a week.
Spring 2020- 2 Credit Hours
| HFT Cap 1 – Validation Course for Life Safety & Medical Gas | 2 Credit Hours- modestly challenging |
4-5 hours a week for 15 weeks
Summer 2020- 2 Credit Hours (8 Week Semester)
| HFL 120 – Infection Prevention for The Environment of Care | 2 Credit Hour – easy pace |
4-5 hours per week for 8 weeks.
Fall 2020 - (This assumes the signed off competencies for Electrical & Ventilation have been turned in by students healthcare organization).
| HFT Cap 2 – Validation Course for Ventilation & Electrical | 2 Credit Hours – modestly challenging |
Students will require around 4-5 hours a week for this course.
TAKE CERTIFIED HEALTHCARE FACILITIES TECHNICIAN(CHFT) SPRING 2021
Q. If I decide to transfer to the Healthcare Facilities Leadership credentials, will any courses transfer from the HFT?
Yes, HFL 100 & HFL 120 will transfer towards HFL credentials. There will be a requirement to take an English, Reading, and Math college readiness test before entering the HFL Diploma or Degree credentials.
Q. Are there plans for advancing the HFT Certificate towards an Associates degree.
Maybe, depending on HFT program growth and industry needs and requirements.
Q. Will I be required to take the Certified Healthcare Facilities Technician(CHFT)* exam upon completion.
While it is highly encouraged that anyone completing the OCTC HFT should take the CHFT, it is not a program requirement.
*The CHFT is expected to be in place one year after successful HFT program start. It is currently not in place.
