General Program Facts

With the complexity and diversity of today’s health care system, a variety of health care professionals are needed. To function effectively by providing safe, knowledgeable patient care, the health care professional needs a thorough understanding of basic sciences and curriculum specific theory. To provide the broad education necessary for the development of this understanding, Piedmont Technical College and area health care facilities cooperatively provide students with excellent opportunities in didactic and clinical and/or fieldwork experiences. The overall objective of these programs is to provide quality education that will lead to highly proficient, competent graduates. The clinical phase of instruction is an integral and important part of all Health Care programs.

During this phase, students may be involved with either direct or indirect patient care, as well as have the opportunity to train utilizing simulation lab scenarios. When participating in a clinical experience at an affiliate health care facility, the student is governed both by college regulations and regulations of the affiliate facility. Affiliate policies require students to submit to the same criminal background checks, drug testing procedures, and health requirements that apply to employees of the facility. Students may be dismissed from clinical and/or the program if found in violation of clinical application policies. The policies can be found in the Health Care Division Handbook.

No student in a Health Care program is permitted to receive remuneration for time spent in a facility as a part of the clinical course assignment. Clinicals are considered learning experiences and are a course requirement.

Criminal Record Checks and Drug Screening for Health Care Students

Background Check: As required by the clinical agencies, students in specific programs are required to have a criminal background check. These are conducted by an outside agency at the student’s expense. Pending criminal charges or conviction may result in the student being ineligible for enrollment or participation in clinical courses. As a result, students would be barred from admission or removed if the infraction occurs after admission. Please see the Health Care Division Handbook for specific policy details.

Drug Screening: The drug screen will be done on an unannounced basis. Prescription medications must be validated by submission of a pharmacy printout of prescribed medications. Students testing positive for an illegal or controlled substance without a valid prescription may be removed from any Health Care program. Please see the Health Care Division Handbook for specific policy details.

Progression in Associate Degree, Diploma, Certificate and Articulated Programs in Health Care

Candidates for associate degrees, diplomas or certificates in Health Care must meet the requirements for graduation of the college. In addition, students enrolled in Health Care programs leading to associate degrees, diplomas or certificates, and in articulated programs must progress in meeting the requirements of their programs according to the following policy:

1. All General Education and Major Studies’ coursework must be completed with grades of “C” or better. Certain majors require a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for program admission.
2. Students may repeat a specific Health Care course one time to achieve a grade of “B” or better. Students who need to repeat a Health Care course are required to meet with their Academic Advisors to discuss repeating the course in addition to adhering to the Readmission Policies within the various Health Care programs.
3. Students must maintain current CPR certification and yearly hospital orientation in-services.
4. Students must maintain annual documentation of required OSHA educational programs, including blood-borne pathogens, fire safety and body mechanics and required health screening procedures, such as tuberculosis screening.
5. Students must maintain acceptable health status that allows required performance within the clinical environment.
6. Admission to any Health Care program is limited to two attempts per program and three attempts in the Health Care Division combined.
7. Students are responsible for their own transportation

Programs and Credentials