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The College offers numerous opportunities for those who wish to pursue health-related
careers. 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 Health Science programs consist of the Annandale Campus’ Health Technology programs
and the Veterinary Technology program at the Loudoun Campus. Students may take general
education support courses at any of the five College campuses.
Because of limited laboratory, classroom and/or clinical space, certain Health Science
programs have limited enrollment. Acceptance to Northern Virginia Community College does not
constitute acceptance into a specific Health Science program. The College contracts with a
large number of Metropolitan Washington health-care facilities and community-based agencies for
clinical instruction. These contracts regulate the conditions under which NVCC Health Science
students may obtain required clinical experience and in some cases may specify program
requirements.
Each program has specific admission, program continuation and program completion
criteria. These are described under each program. 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unsuited for any Health Sciences program be withdrawn and guided into a more suitable field of
study.
Admission into an Annandale Campus 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 Science programs, "counties supporting the College" may include those
in which clinical affiliates have contractual agreements with NVCC.
The Annandale Campus Health Technology 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 Sciences
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.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR ANNANDALE CAMPUS
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
One- & Two-Year Health Technology Certificate and Degree Programs
| Credits |
| *Dental Hygiene | A.A.S. | 71 |
| Emergency Medical Services Tech. | A.A.S. | 71 |
| Emergency Medical Services |
| | Administration Specialization | A.A.S. | 66 |
| Emergency Medical Services
| | | Field Management Specialization | A.A.S. | 65 |
| Health Information Technology | A.A.S. | 68 |
| Medical Lab Technology | A.A.S. | 72 |
| Nursing | A.A.S. | 69 |
| Patient Care Technician | Certificate | 38 |
| *Physical Therapist Assistant | A.A.S. | 72 |
| *Radiography | A.A.S. | 72 |
| *Respiratory Therapy | A.A.S. | 71 |
| Surgical Technician | Certificate | 35 |
* 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 |
| Breast Diagnostic Imaging | 10 |
| Cardiac Care Technician | 22 |
| Clinical Data Coding Specialist | 23 |
| Computed Tomography | 11 |
| Limited Radiography | 14-19 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging | 13 |
| Medical Office Assisting: |
| | Office Management | 21 |
| Medical Transcription | 29 |
| Pharmacy Technician | 29 |
| Phlebotomy | 13 |
| Rescue Squad Management | 18 |
Admission Requirements for Annandale Campus Health Technology Programs
Unless otherwise specified, applicants must meet all of the following requirements to be
admitted to Health Technology certificate or two-year degree programs:
- Admission to Northern Virginia Community College.
- Be 18 years of age or older, or have program head approval.
- Have made satisfactory scores on specified placement tests.
- Completion of one unit of high school-level algebra or equivalent.
- Completion of at least one unit of high school-level science or equivalent.
See "Admission Requirements" under EACH program for particular science course
prerequisites.
- Past academic achievement in the above course requirements must reflect a "C" average
or better. Deficiencies may be corrected in the College's developmental program before
entering a Health Technology program.
- Evidence of good physical and mental health, as substantiated by a completed
Preadmission Health History and Physical for Health Technology form (NVCC 125-7) signed
by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, must be submitted prior to entering program
courses. Applicants must be free of any physical and/or mental condition which might
adversely affect their acceptance or performances in the program.
- A student may elect to take general education courses listed in a program's curriculum
prior to seeking acceptance to a Health Technology program. These courses may be taken at
any of the College's campuses and may be transferred to NVCC from other accredited
post-secondary institutions. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better is
required in all required general education courses taken preceding admission to a Health
Technology program, unless waived by the division chair upon the recommendation of the
program head.
- CPR certification is required prior to entering clinical courses, unless formally
waived by the program head.
- The student seeking admission to a Health Technology program may need to arrange for
an interview with the program head prior to entering the program.
Responsibilities of Annandale Campus Health Technology Students
The following are responsibilities of students in all Health Technology programs:
- To prepare students for the high ethical standards of the health professions, the
College expects absolute academic integrity both in the classroom and in clinical practice.
Therefore, cheating, attempting to cheat, plagiarizing, lying, stealing academic work which
includes secured tests or related materials, submitting papers purchased or written by others,
or failing to report an occurrence of academic dishonesty or any violation of this honor code
may subject the student to the College's disciplinary procedures as defined in the NVCC Student
Handbook.
- Students in Health Technology programs incur a variety of additional expenses. These
include, but are not limited to, the cost of uniforms, accessories, and travel to clinical
assignments. Students are also responsible for state licensure and national accreditation
application and testing fees.
- A strict dress code is required in the clinical setting. Students may be dismissed if
they fail to comply with this dress code.
- The College reserves the right to require students to take out and maintain at their own
expense liability/malpractice insurance with a carrier authorized to transact such business in
the Commonwealth of Virginia. Whether or not insurance appropriate to the program is required,
students are encouraged to carry such insurance on their own.
- Students are required to complete learning experiences at local hospitals and/or other
community-based agencies. Students may be required to attend both day and/or evening clinical
assignments.
- Students must provide their own transportation to clinical assignments. Strict
attendance is required at clinical sites.
- Students may utilize the resources of the assigned clinical affiliate for emergency
medical treatment for injuries or illness which may occur during the time period when students
are assigned to the health care facility. The student is responsible for any expenses incurred
for this treatment.
- Students must comply with all clinical contract protocols including immunization
requirements.
- Students must keep their CPR certifications current each year, when required.
- While enrolled in clinical courses, students may not replace or take the responsibility
of "qualified" staff in affiliated facilities. However, after demonstrating proficiency,
students may be permitted to perform specified procedures under careful supervision. Health
Technologies students may be employed in clinical facilities outside regular education hours
provided that such work does not interfere with academic responsibilities. The work must be
non-compulsory and subject to employee regulations. Any exception to this policy must have the
approval of the Health Technologies Division Chair.
- Students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior consistent with standards
associated with health care practitioners.
Continuation Requirements
The following continuation requirements govern students in all Annandale Campus Health
Technology programs:
- All courses in the program major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better before
taking the next course in the sequence, unless waived by the division chair upon the
recommendation of the program head.
- All courses in the major must be taken in the sequence prescribed in the Catalog, unless
otherwise approved by the program head.
- Students must pass both the theoretical and the clinical/lab portions in order to pass a
course.
- Program faculty and clinical affiliates reserve the right to recommend, through
appropriate channels, withdrawal of any student who neither exhibits safe performance nor
adheres to prescribed clinical affiliate policies and procedures.
- Satisfactory physical and mental health must be maintained for continuance in the
program. Applicants must be free of any physical and/or mental condition which might adversely
affect their acceptance or performances in the program. The College reserves the right to
require medical examinations to verify continuing compliance.
Program Re-Enrollment Requirements
Any student who has voluntarily withdrawn or who has been withdrawn due to unsatisfactory
academic or clinical performance may apply for re-admission the following academic year.
Acceptance will be based upon space availability, successful fulfillment of any contingencies
agreed to in writing at the time of withdrawal, and program head approval. An interview and
medical examination may be required.
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