Start Youth Health Career at ACTC

Health care continues to be one of the strongest occupational fields in the country. The economic slowdown has had little impact on the health care employment, according to the Department of Labor, and eight of the 20 most rapidly growing jobs are in health care fields.

Ashland Community and Technical College offers several diploma and associate degree programs to help people prepare for those jobs.

The Health Care Science Technology Program helps students prepare for entry-level health care jobs or for selective admission health care programs. The Associate in Applied Science Degree program includes general education classes and technical courses for a health care foundation. Students unsure of their health care field can work on courses that will be useful for many programs. For more information contact Health Science Advisor Dan Bailey, 606-326-2028 or email: dan.bailey@kctcs.edu.

Students who know their field of study may select one the programs listed below. These programs have selective admission requirements, and spring semester is a good time to start on the courses required for acceptance.

Associate Degree Nursing students learn to provide and manage client care. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Contact the Health Science Office 606.326.2086, email: roxanne.neal@kctcs.edu.

Paramedic Technology students learn to provide pre-hospital emergency care to acutely ill or injured patients. A certificate and Associate in Applied Science Degree are offered, and graduates are eligible to take the National Registry Examination. For more information, call 606-326-2459 or email: estewart0001@kctcs.edyu or mjohnson0483@kctcs.edu.

Emergency Medical Technician training is offered though the Fire-Rescue Training Program. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification test. EMT training is required to enter the paramedic Program. Contact the office, 606.326.2459for details.

Pharmacy Technology students learn to perform technical functions under the direction of a Registered Pharmacist. A Pharmacy Technician diploma and Community Pharmacy Assistant certificate are available. Contact Coordinator Linda Tiller, 606.326.2154, email: linda.tiller@kctcs.edu.

Practical Nursing students learn to perform practical nursing functions under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. The diploma program graduates are prepared to take the national exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Contact Coordinator Elizabeth McGinnis, 606.326.2150, email: elizabeth.mcginnis@kctcs.edu.

Respiratory Care-Advanced Level is an AAS Degree consortium program with Morehead State University and Maysville Community and Technical Colleges Rowan Campus. Graduates are eligible to take the national Certified Respiratory Therapist board exam. Contact Marlene Vice, 606.783.1538 or email: marlene.vice@kctcs.edu

Surgical Technology students learn to prepare and select instruments for surgery, to assist the surgeon and help with operating room equipment. Graduates earn a diploma and are eligible to take the national exam certification exam. Contact Coordinator Jacqueline Cavins, 606.326.2006, email: jacqueline.cavins@kctcs.edu.

The Associate of Science Degree is available to students who plan on university transfer for a career such as doctor of medicine, dentist, physicians assistant or pharmacist. For information, contact Health Science Advisor Dan Bailey, 606.326.2028 or email: dan.bailey@kctcs.edu.

December 30 is the ACTC application deadline for spring semester, and classes start January 13. Applications are on the web at ashland.kctcs.edu and can be submitted electronically.

Short-Term Health Care Courses

Short term courses in Phlebotomy, State Registered Nurse Aid and Kentucky Medication Aid are offered on a regular basis by ACTC Workforce Solutions.

The Phlebotomy course prepares students to collect blood from patients or donors in hospitals, blood banks or clinics for analysis or other purposes.

The State Registered Nurse Aid (SRNA) course covers basic skills needed in a variety of health care settings and prepares students for the state competency exam for nurse aides.

The Kentucky Medication Aide (KMA) course prepares nurse aides to take the Kentucky Medication Aide Examination. KMA course applicants must have worked as a SRNA for six months and take the COMPASS test administered by ACTC.

For more information, contact Jennifer Criswell at ACTC Workforce Solutions, 606.326.2130 or: jennifer.criswell@kctcs.edu.

Uncertain about Your Health Career?

People who aren't sure about a health care career can get help from the Health Professions Pathways (H2P) project Were here for individuals who have lost their jobs, who are looking for their first job or who want prepare for a better job, said Robin Taylor, H2P Success Coordinator.

Many times, people considering a return to school don't know where to start, she said. They can find out about different careers available in healthcare, what those jobs require, what the jobs pay, and what education is required for each one.

We can also help them select courses for their chosen career path, whether they are preparing for immediate employment or preparing for acceptance into a selective admissions program, Taylor said. For more information, call 606-326-2098 or email: robin.taylor@kctcs.edu.

Need Help to Become College Ready?

Fast tracked education and training in health fields for students who are not college ready is offered through the Accelerating Opportunity project. This project is designed to help unprepared students become college and career ready at the same time.

Students can get basic skills education in math, reading and writing at the same time they get technical skills training for high-demand jobs.

Students can earn one certificate that qualifies them for an entry level job at the same time they get general college-level skills. Then they can go on for additional certificates that expand their job opportunities, said Chrisha Spears, project coordinator. For more information, contact her at 606.326.2425 or email: chrisha.spears@kctcs.edu.

Accelerating Opportunity is a community college initiative of Jobs for the Future, with funding from the Bill amp; Melinda Gates, Joyce, W.K. Kellogg, Kresge and Open Society Foundations. in partnership with national and Kentucky educational organizations.