Wallace State Health Science division hosts meeting to spotlight programs with openings for Fall 2018

HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Dozens of area residents took advantage of an opportunity to see what options they may have to enter a health science program at Wallace State Community College this fall. More than 30 attended a Second Opportunity meeting hosted by the Health Science division at Wallace State to learn about the programs that still have openings for Fall 2018.
Out of the 18 Health Science options at the college — the most offered at any of the state’s community colleges, said Dean Lisa German — six have openings for entry in Fall 2018. Those programs include Child Development, Emergency Medical Services, Medical Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technician, Pharmacy Technology and Therapeutic Massage. During the meeting, German gave a brief overview of each program then students were able to visit with representatives from each.
German said the intent behind the meeting was to provide potential students with information about programs of which they may not be aware and give them the opportunity to apply to those programs and start classes in the fall.
In discussing the programs, German pointed out these features of each:

• Child Development is offered completely online and offers certificate and degree options. The certificate options in most cases can be earned in one semester. Those who would like to can benefit from the college’s partnership with Athens State University and go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.
• Emergency Medical Services offers certificate and degree options. The Basic EMT certificate can be completed in one semester, allowing the student to become employable after completion.
• Medical Assistant is an associate degree program that can be completed in five semesters and offers instruction in a variety of skill sets, including patient care, lab, X-ray, and clerical and office administration.
• Medical Laboratory Technician is an associate degree program. German said this occupation is very fitting for those students who enjoy the lab portion of their coursework. Students who have already completed their academic requirements can complete the program in three semesters.
• Pharmacy Technology is a two-semester certificate program that can be completed 90 percent online. Lectures are delivered online with on-campus labs and clinical experience.
• Therapeutic Massage is a two-semester certificate program. German said this program complements the Physical Therapist Assistant and Occupational Therapy Assistant programs. Students completing the program can work with local clinics or choose private practice. A campus-based massage clinic provides hands-on experience for the students.

For Cindy Chancellor and Sarah Campbell of Hanceville and Autumn Absher of Ashville, Ala., the Pharmacy Technology program sparked their interest. All said the length of the program and its mostly online format appealed to them.
“Living an hour away, it’s hard to get here,” “said Absher, who is a Certified Nursing Assistant. “I think the Pharmacy Tech program will be good for me.”
Chancellor and Campbell both previously completed other programs but each were looking for something else to do. Both appreciated the Health Science division holding the meeting. “It’s awesome,” said Campbell, who said she knew very little about the Pharmacy Technology program before the meeting.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu or call 256.352.8000.