The College offers numerous opportunities for those who wish to pursue a health-related career. Each certificate and degree program is designed with the advice of community health professionals to include a balance of technical and general education courses. In response to community needs, specialized short-term courses or technical certificates are also offered. The Annandale Campus is home to the College's eight Health Technologies programs. Students take general education support courses at any of the five College campuses.
In addition to campus Health Technologies laboratory and classroom facilities, the College contracts with a large number of Metropolitan Washington health-care facilities and agencies for clinical instruction. These contracts regulate the conditions under which NVCC Health Technologies students may obtain required clinical experience and in some cases may specify program requirements.
Because of limited laboratory, classroom and/or clinical space, certain Health Technologies programs have limited enrollment. Acceptance to Northern Virginia Community College does not constitute acceptance into a specific Health Technologies program.
Each program has specific admission, program continuation and program completion criteria. These are described in the appropriate catalog section. Due to the unique responsibilities involved in health careers, each program reserves the right to require that any student who appears to be unsuited for any Health Technologies program withdraw from that program and be guided into more suitable study.
Admission into a program begins with application to the College, followed by attendance at a program information session. A program placement interview with a counselor or a program head may also be required. Admission is not complete until all admission requirements are met. Early application is desirable.
Students are accepted on a first-come/first-served basis with priority given to: (1) legal residents domiciled in the cities and counties supporting the College, (2) other Virginia legal residents, (3) out-of-state applicants, and (4) international students.
For certain Health Technology programs, "counties supporting the College" may include those in which clinical affiliates have contractual agreements with NVCC.
The Health Technologies programs are authorized to deny enrollment in health programs to any student who has been arrested and charged with a felony pertaining to controlled substances and who was adjudicated guilty, or adjudication was withheld because of placement in a pre-trial intervention program or who entered a plea of nolo contendere.
Students are advised that the Northern Virginia Community College Health Technologies programs have been designed to prepare students for direct entry to health careers. Some programs have articulated agreements with four-year colleges and universities that enable the partial or complete transfer of NVCC course work to four-year degree programs. Students who wish to consider such options should consult the appropriate program head early in the program of study.
One- & Two-Year Health Technologies Certificate and Degree Programs
Credits Dental Hygiene AAS 71 Emergency Medical Services Tech. AAS 71 Emergency Medical Services Administration Specialization AAS 66 Emergency Medical Services Field Management Specialization AAS 65 Health Information Technology AAS 68 Medical Lab Technology AAS 72 Nursing AAS 69 Patient Care Technician Certificate 38 Physical Therapist Assistant AAS 72 Radiography AAS 72 Respiratory Therapy AAS 71 Respiratory Therapy Certificate 45
*These programs require students to successfully complete NAS 150 Human Biology, 4 cr, prior to admission. See program descriptions for specific details.
Career Studies Certificates
Credits Basic EMT ................................................. 23 Cardiac Care Technician ................................... 22 Histotechnology .......................................... 22 Medical Office Assisting: Office Management ....................................... 21 Pharmacy Technician ....................................... 29 Phlebotomy ................................................ 13 Rescue Squad Management ................................... 18