New and Improved HC Cliff Notes

Greetings Rockville Counselors,

The Nursing website should be updated by the end of this week to reflect the July date.

There will not be an August information session.

Information sessions resume in Fall.

If someone is not on this (old ) list, please feel free to forward to them.

***And as a reminder, you have EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW but not all HEALTH SCIENCE INFORMATION below to inform your students when I am not in the office.  Read for the most current information to date. *** MM.

Subject: * New and improved HC Cliff Notes--Important: Please toss the old!

Subject:  *New and improved HC Cliff Notes.  Please review changes in blackas of 2-21-2012.  Some items have been removed ( i.e. Do not give out the college vendor’s name of PreCheck, as students try to get this done prior ).

As I am part time, you may now give students Health Science program information to tell them you ‘know what I know’.  It is very important they attend their own information session to get the most current information.  Averaging 100 students per week via phone, email, walk in, and appointment, this should be helping the Counseling Departments!  

~For all programs, a minimum GPA of 2.5 is required of the most recent 24 credits taken, which is calculated by Admissions. 

~Being finished with the priority coursesby the Fall of the preceding semester as noted on the Health Sciences application and taking and passing the TEAS test are the qualifiers.   Winter session and Summer sessions are also included as long as the grade is received before applying.

~The highest TEAS scores are considered first.

~TEAS test expiration date has been expanded to 2 years.  

~The grading scale is higher:   Students must have a score of 75 or higher for most programs. 

~Criminal background checks and drug testing:  In accordance with Montgomery College’s Health Sciences Program Protocol:  This is required by facilities that are the sites for the clinical learning experience of nursing and health sciences students.  These are conducted by an independent, third party outside agency at the students’ expense, coordinated through the College, and must be completed before a nursing and health sciences student can be placed at a facility for his or her clinical experience.  The results of drug tests and criminal background checks are available for review by designated personnel in each clinical facility and the clinical facility has the right to refuse clinical placement for students based on such review.  The College does not receive the results of these checks. Drug test and background checks obtained from other sources, including by the students on their own, are not sufficient nor will they be accepted for this purpose. 

·         Students should not apply for any Background or Drug Checks prior to receiving instructions during their Student Orientation, where they will receive detailed information. 

·         All outside Background or Drug Checks submitted will not be accepted.

NURSING

A.       Out of approximately 250-300 applicants,  approximately 100+ spaces for Fall and for Spring.  It all depends on how many applicants allowed, therefore the numbers will be variable.  Fall has the most number of applicants, therefore Spring has a better chance.

B.      Another 20 students are put on a ‘stand by’ list.  Orientations are done, get health inoculations done.  They are prepped and ready to go as priority for the next semester. 

C.      If a student has taken BI 204/205 and it is older than five years, they must take BI 218 ( unless they re-take BI 204/205 ).

D.      If students have not had high school Chemistry and are not strong in Math, it is strongly recommended to take Chemistry for the TEAS test and for the program.

E.       *LPN-to-RN application deadline:  March 1 not April 1.  This is because it starts in the summer.  Maximum of 32spaces.  Students who successfully complete the transition course will join the Nursing program in the Fall of the second year.   Students must finish pre-requisites of BI 204, BI 205, EN 101, MA 110 or higher and PY 102.  It is strongly recommended to finish BI 203 and EN 102 before starting Military option and before applying.  Must pass TEAS test with the same percentages as Nursing.  Contact person:  Monique.alston-davis@montgomerycollege.edu ( RN/MSN )

F.       Past work experience not a good predictor of success.

G.     RN’s sit for the same NCLEX as BSN’s.

H.      High demand of academics and time.

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY

A.      There are 27 spaces.  

A.      Program Coordinator does not look at GPA at all.

B.      Only those who have put down RT as first choice will be considered. Those who choose RT as a second or third choice may be considered if the pool of first choice applicants  is insufficient.   

C.      Classes begin in the third week of May. Mandatory orientation is held the week before classes begin

D.      All students on the day of orientation will be required to complete a criminal background check and begin a drug screening check. Students will pay for these processes on the day of orientation and will be directed by the coordinator on how to complete/begin these checks online.

E.       If a student passes a TEAS test and does not get into the program, they do NOT have to retake the TEAS test to apply the following year. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain a copy of the TEAS scores for future attempts to apply to the program.  A three year time limit is given for passing TEAS scores. After three years, the applicant must retake the TEAS.  

F.       *For RT, scores no lower than 78.

DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY

A.      For the approximately 60 qualified applicants that apply, there are 30 spaces.

B.      Online blended program.

C.      Usually, a GPA of 3.0 or higher.  High GPA plus priority courses will give you first choice.

D.      Accepted based on specialty:  Students need to educate themselves via the DMS website.

E.       Have to complete within the 2 year cycle, or completely step out.

F.       This is the only degree program in the state of Maryland.

G.      *Certificate no longer offered at MC.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

A.      Out of 100-150 applicants, 75 qualify for 24 spaces.

B.      Strongly recommend 40 hours of volunteer work. This is not factored in nor required for Admissions. 

C.      *Effective Spring, 2010:  HE 107 is not required for program.  No Health Foundation course required, but students may take HE 205, CPR for Professional Rescuer or Healthcare Provider certification through Red Cross or American Heart Association.

D.      *Higher GPA more successful.

E.       BI 205 and PY 203 no longer required.

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY

A.      18 spaces.

B.      Classes begin in May, out by July 4.

C.      Program can be done in one year or two:  One year=No life, but can be done May to May, if the general education classes are done.

D.      There are a handful of BS programs around the country, none on the east coast.

E.        Certificate no longer offered.

F.       Courses will also be online 2013 ( don’t know how many/which ones yet ). * NEW as of May, 2013*

HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

A.      30 spaces available, out of 78 applicants, for the Certificate and Degree programs combined.   

B.      All evening classes 6pm and later.

C.      Students can take HI 135 and HI 214 with permission from the Program Coordinator.

D.      Nine courses are fully online with tests are taken in the Medical Learning Center.

E.       Corrine Smith will assume position as Program Coordinator in May, 2012.

F.       *Students may take HE 107 or any Health Foundation course, as CPR is not required for this major.

G.      *The average GPA changes yearly depending on the number of applicants:   Program Coordinator has taken less than 3.0 GPA in the past. 

POLYSOMNOGRAPHY

A.      22 spaces available * as of February, 2012.

B.      Three semester Certificate program. 

C.      12 month program from August to August.

D.      Candidate pool will be ranked by GPA if more qualified applicants than seats.

E.       Rapidly growing in demand profession.

F.       40 accredited sites in the US.

G.     Three 12 hour night shifts possible for job.

H.      Maryland will have licensure law by 2013.

HEALTH SCIENCES 101 ( HC 101 )

A.       Great introduction course to determine, prepare, and confirm that a career in Health Sciences is for you.

Maureen Mirowski, M.S.

Part timeHealth Sciences Counselor

Office:  CF-123 inside CF-120 suitesinside the School of Art & Design and Visual Arts Departments

Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus

Montgomery College

#240-567-5810

Maureen.mirowski@montgomerycollege.edu