Midlands Technical College offers six associate degrees,
three diplomas and thirteen certificate programs in Health Sciences.
Midlands Technical College offers six associate degrees,
three diplomas and thirteen certificate programs in Health Sciences.
Health Sciences programs have the mission of educating students to work in the fields of patient care, public health and health research. Graduates will enter the health system primarily as mid-level professionals and will participate as integral parts of the health care team. Educational enrichment, professional training and personal development are the primary concerns of Health Sciences faculty and staff.
The Health Sciences Department participates in several cooperative arrangements with other technical colleges. The Pre-Occupational Therapy Assistant certificate allows students to complete their first year at MTC and transfer to Trident Technical College or Greenville Technical College for the second year. The Department also provides the technical portion of Pharmacy Technician, Dental Hygiene and Medical Record Coder programs. Receiving students will complete their general education work at another college.
Each program contains an academically sound curriculum of general academic education and technical health specialty education taught under the guidance of qualified health professionals in conjunction with local hospitals and health care facilities.
In addition to the general requirements for college admission, Health Sciences programs have additional criteria for admission. The specific requirements for each program are outlined on the following pages. The criteria are on file in the Admissions Office and the offices of program directors. Admission to the individual program is based on indicators of success within each program. In addition to standardized admissions test scores, the following factors may be for admissions into Health Sciences programs: previous work experience; high school GPA; rank in class; high school or college grades in sciences, mathematics and other specific courses; and previous college experience. Certain programs require observations at area health organizations prior to admission. Many Health Sciences programs require an interview prior to final acceptance.
NOTE: Distance Learning students must meet the general entry requirements for admission to their host college as well as those for the Health Sciences programs at Midlands Technical College.
Standardized admissions tests that may be taken include:
Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET)
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
American College Test (ACT)
Standardized admissions tests must have been taken with in the previous three years to be considered for program admissions qualification to Health Sciences. The admissions section for each program will note the appropriate test and required scores. Students should read this catalog and consult an academic advisor to understand the specific entry requirements for Health Sciences programs.
Occasionally, for certain highly qualified applicants, including those with college credentials, one or more of the objective criteria may be waived or modified with the approval of the program director. To apply for waiver consideration, the applicant should contact the Admissions Office. Courses used to exempt standardized admissions tests must have been successfully completed within the previous three years to be considered.
Math and science courses must have been taken within three years of matriculation into the Health Sciences programs. Other general education courses must have been taken within the previous 10 years of program entry.
Students must complete all developmental and prerequisite courses one term prior to entry into the Health Sciences programs.
Students applying to Health Sciences programs may experience delays in entering their program because of the limited number of students accepted each year.
The Pre-Health Care certificate program is designed for students seeking admission to Health Science programs but not meeting program admission criteria. Students work closely with academic advisors to select courses that will help confirm their career choices and strengthen their academic skills.
In order to use the completed Pre-Health Care certificate as a substitute for the usual program admission criteria, the student must meet the specified academic performance standards set forth below:
Must obtain a program grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater at completion
Must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course
No course in the curriculum can be repeated more than once.
Students who complete this certificate, meeting the established criteria for academic success should be well prepared for acceptance into the designated program, but completion of the certificate does not guarantee admission into the program.
Applicants are required to complete testing for course placement according to regular college-wide admissions procedures, prior to interviewing for Health Sciences. These tests include:
Midlands Technical College (MTC) Writing Sample
Midlands Technical College Placement Test
Students are accepted for a specific class. If a student is unable to matriculate for that class, then the students may defer one time. If the student is unable to matriculate at this deferred time, then the student can be placed at the bottom of the interview list. The new interview eligibility date is the date that the student or program director notifies Admissions, in writing, of his/her desire to be placed back on the list.
The Health Sciences programs will accept comparable course work form other colleges. If there are questions about the differences of content or competency levels, then the program will issue the student a validation exam either in writing, orally or clinically. The student must pass the validation exam in accordance with required program grading standards.
To graduate, students must meet all requirements of the specific curriculum and receive a grade of "C" or better in all courses within the academic major. This includes all science and mathematics courses, including Allied Health Sciences. Students must also apply for graduation.
All mathematics and science courses must be taken within three years of program entry or must be validated in accordance with program standards. All major course work must be completed within the fours years preceding graduation.
In addition, students graduating from Health Sciences may not repeat curriculum courses more than once.
The number of technology courses that may be repeated is determined by the program director and published in the program section of the catalog.
Students who have an interruption of two semesters or less (excluding summers) in the normal progression of their Health Sciences studies, whether by failure or withdrawal, may apply to the program director for readmission. Space in these programs is very limited; therefore, students will be readmitted on a space-available basis. The student handbook of each program details specific readmission procedures, including restrictions on the number of readmissions allowed. If the student has been out of the program for three semesters or more, then the student must meet the current admissions criteria.
The Health Sciences programs use a more stringent attendance policy than the general college policy. Faculty in each program will inform students of the applicable attendance policy.
High School or college credits in biology, chemistry and algebra are recommended
Emotional and physical ability to carry out normal activities of patient care are determined by physical examination. Conditions that develop during the clinical or laboratory phases of training which prevent the student from carrying out the required activities may result in a delay in completion or temporary withdrawal from the program. In some cases, withdrawal may be permanent.
All Health Sciences students are required to purchase malpractice insurance through the college each semester as part of their student fees. The minimum amount of coverage required is $300,000 each claim, $600,000 each incident. The approximate cost of this coverage is $5 per semester. Some clinical affiliates may require additional coverage or higher limits. Any additional insurance or coverage will be the responsibility of the student.
In addition to insurance, students may be required to purchase and maintain certain equipment, learning modules and uniforms as part of the educational program. These requirements will vary depending on the student's program.
Upon acceptance, students are provided a health form that must be completed and submitted no earlier than 45 days before and no later than the beginning of the first semester in their major unless a specific extension is granted by the program director or department chair. Students are not allowed to participate in clinical training until this requirement is met. All students must present annual Tuberculosis Test results to remain in their program. Failure to complete these requirements may result in suspension or withdrawal from the program of study. Students, except Health Information Management majors, must present evidence of adequate Hepatitis B antibody titer or begin the Hepatitis B vaccine protocol prior to program entry.
All students must present current certification in adult, infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prior to program entry. Certification must be maintained in accordance with departmental and clinical affiliate policy. Students entering Nursing or Health Sciences Programs will be required to undergo a background investigation that will include but is not limited to: criminal background, including all places of residence since the age of 18; Sex Offenders Registry; Office of the Inspector General, FBI fingerprint record, and any other registry or records required by law. Some clinical facilities may require additional background checks. In addition to background checks, students may be required to submit to drug screening before or during their participation in Nursing or Allied Health Sciences education. Students must be eligible to rotate to all clinical locations utilized by the programs. Exclusion from any of the clinical locations based on a positive drug screen or criminal records check will prevent participation in clinical training. Eligibility for examination candidacy is determined by the individual state or national examination boards. Eligibility for clinical rotation does not guarantee eligibility for licensing or certification and registry examinations. Specific information about convictions and exclusion criteria can be found at the Midlands Technical College web site in the areas for Nursing or Allied Health Sciences.
The clinical phase of instruction is an integral and important portion of all Health Sciences programs. During this phase, students may be involved in either direct or indirect patient care.
Students are responsible for their own transportation during rotations and to off-campus program-related activities, including clinical and laboratories.
When participating in a clinical experience at any affiliate health care facility, students are governed by the college policies and regulations and regulations and protocols of the affiliate facility. Affiliate policies may require students to submit to the same drug testing procedures and criminal background checks that apply to employees of the facility. Students may be dismissed from clinical activities and/or the program if found in violation of clinical application policies. CPR certification must be current for clinical rotations. All immunizations and health tests must be kept current.
Students are required to observe standard precautions in all labs and clinics where there is a risk of exposure to blood and body fluids.
Students in the Health Sciences programs are not permitted to receive compensation for time spent in a facility as a part of the clinical course assignment. These assignments are considered learning experiences and are part of course requirements.