End the Health Sciences Admissions Confusion

Jessica Blake & Jenni Smith

Health Sciences Counselors

October 16, 2009

Why is Health Sciences Admissions so confusing?

• Students (staff/faculty) are unclear about program of study

• There is a different process and minimum course requirements

• Health care offers lots of options

• Students are unclear about where to go and when to apply

What is the process for all PCC students to apply?

• Fill out a general application to the college • Submit official transcripts from high

school/proof of GED/college or university course work

• Take the placement test - if no college level English and/or math has been completed (can use SAT scores)

• See an advisor that specializes in the area of interest

How does this process differ for Health Sciences?

• Advisors for AGE Technical

• Required to take specific course work

• Complete an Orientation Session

• Complete a Health Sciences Application

• Wait for notification of acceptance

What is AGE?

• AGE - Associate in General Education

• AGE “Technical” - general application track for Health Sciences students

• Same as the old GOT

• “Holding Tank” for students until formally accepted into a program

• Timeframe depends on program and acceptance

What is the Health Sciences Admissions Process?

• Step by step guide created (available online, Step by step guide created (available online, AGE advisors, & in counselor’s offices) to walk AGE advisors, & in counselor’s offices) to walk students through the process students through the process

• Steps may be slightly different depending on Steps may be slightly different depending on programprogram

• Degree students spend time completing general Degree students spend time completing general education requirements – earning points for education requirements – earning points for competitive programscompetitive programs

• Separate application process during specified Separate application process during specified application periods application periods

Is there an entrance exam?Is there an entrance exam?

• Did require HOBET = Health Occupations Did require HOBET = Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test Basic Entrance Test

• NOW - no more entrance examNOW - no more entrance exam

What are the Health Sciences Programs?

• 10 Degree Programs 10 Degree Programs – (5 semesters minimum once in the (5 semesters minimum once in the

program)program)

• 7 Diploma Programs7 Diploma Programs– (2-3 semesters once in the program)(2-3 semesters once in the program)

• 6 Certificate Programs 6 Certificate Programs – (1-2 semesters once in the program)(1-2 semesters once in the program)

What are the Health Sciences Programs?

• Most programs involve direct patient care

• Most degree programs have competitive based admissions

• Diploma and certificate programs are usually advanced options– Exceptions: HIT, Medical Assisting, HUC

What is direct patient care?

• Hands-on medical care or servicesHands-on medical care or services• Ex: injections, caring for wounds, collecting samples of Ex: injections, caring for wounds, collecting samples of

bodily fluids, physically manipulating patients, etc.bodily fluids, physically manipulating patients, etc.

What are the degree programs?What are the degree programs?

• Medical SonographyMedical Sonography• Nursing (RN)Nursing (RN)• Health Information Health Information

TechnologyTechnology• Medical AssistingMedical Assisting• Nuclear Medicine Nuclear Medicine

TechnologyTechnology

• Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy AssistantAssistant

• PolysomnographyPolysomnography• RadiographyRadiography• Respiratory TherapyRespiratory Therapy• Therapeutic MassageTherapeutic Massage

What are the degree requirements?

– 2.5 GPA

– Orientation session

– Science/Math course requirements

– Program specific requirements» CPR» NA I

What are the specialty programs? What are the specialty programs? Diploma CertificateDiploma Certificate

• Health Information Health Information Technology-CodingTechnology-Coding

• EchocardiographyEchocardiography• Medical DosimetryMedical Dosimetry• Nuclear Medicine Nuclear Medicine • Computed Computed

Tomography/Magnetic Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging Resonance Imaging

• Positron Emission Positron Emission TomographyTomography

• Radiation TherapyRadiation Therapy

• Health Unit CoordinatorHealth Unit Coordinator• Medical Assisting Medical Assisting

Clinical Certificate Clinical Certificate (“Boot Camp”)(“Boot Camp”)

• Positron Emission Positron Emission Tomography (PET)Tomography (PET)

• Computed Tomography Computed Tomography (CT)(CT)

• Magnetic Resonance Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)Imaging (MRI)

• Polysomnography Polysomnography

– Years of experience or direct patient care– Previous degree– Licensure– Recommendation letters– Job shadowing– Clinical placement– GPA (may be 2.5 or higher)– Interview

What are the specialty requirements?

When a student expresses interest in Health Sciences…

• Send them to the Goess Student Center – Rm 120 and ask to speak to a counselor

• Or refer them to the websites…– Health Sciences Admissions

http://www.pittcc.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/admissions/

– Health Sciences Orientationhttp://www.pittcc.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/admissions/Health-Sciences-Orientation.html

– Specific Programshttp://www.pittcc.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/

– Explore Health Careershttp://www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/Index.aspx

What is our goal? To keep…

• Students from looking like this

• Staff and faculty from looking like this

What is the difference between…

• Advisor– Course sequencing– Register for classes if needed– Assistance with student educational plan– Inform of application deadlines (best time to

apply)• Counselor

– First and/or last point of contact for student – Application/counseling session– Point calculation and requirements– Know differences between programs to discuss

options with students

Any Questions?

Thanks for coming!