Health Care Programs Health Care Programs
Your Pathway to Success
CONTENTS Bachelor of Applied Science degree 2 Dental Assisting 3 Dental Hygiene 4 EMT-Basic 6 Paramedic 6 Medical Assisting 7 Medical Information Coder/Biller 7 Medical Transcription 7 Health Information Management 8 Patient Care Assistant 9 Practical Nursing 9 Nursing 10 Massage Therapy 11 Surgical Technology 11 Respiratory Care 12 Radiography 13 Sonography 13 Continuing Education 14
Earn your Bachelor’s degree at Palm Beach State! Bachelor of Applied Science degree -
Supervision and Management with a concentration in Health Management (561) 868-4105 www.palmbeachstate.edu/Bachelor.xml A B.A.S. degree prepares you with workforce knowledge and skills in leadership, human resources, organizational decision making and more! Learn more about our program by visiting www.palmbeachstate.edu/Bachelor.xml. The Bachelor of Applied Science degree is primarily designed for students with associate degrees looking to earn a bachelor’s degree to advance in their professional education.
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Dental Assisting Certificate
(561) 868-3752 www.palmbeachstate.edu/DentalAssisting.xml Dental assistants work directly with the dentist, chair side, helping to provide patients with high-level oral health care delivery. Other opportunities include managing the business aspects of the dental practice, such as scheduling, billing and purchasing. Our ten-month certificate program begins in late August every year and is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation. Students work directly with community dentists providing treatment on patients in our modern dental facility at the Lake Worth campus. Employment opportunities are bountiful. Completion of the certificate program enables our graduates to enter the work field with the Expanded Functions and Dental Radiology Certificates approved by the Florida State Board of Dentistry which are required for employment (FS,Chapter 466; Rules 64B-9.001 & 64B-16).
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Dental Hygiene Associate in Science degree
(561) 868-3752 www.palmbeachstate.edu/DentalHygiene.xml Dental Hygienists are licensed, preventive oral health care professionals who provide educational, clinical, research, administrative and therapeutic services that support total health by promoting optimal oral health. Dental hygienists work in settings such as private dental offices, hospitals, managed care organizations, federal and state municipal health facilities, long term care facilities, nursing homes and schools. Licensed dental hygienists work as clinical practitioners, educators, researchers, administrators/managers, consultants and business owner/operators. Changes to our overall health systems make this one of the fastest growing, high demand health professions and employment opportunities are excellent. Accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation, students enrolled in the program provide preventive dental treatment to community patients in our state-of-the-art dental clinic on the Lake Worth campus as part of the core curriculum. Graduates are awarded an A.S. degree and those credits are transferable to Bachelor of Science degree completion programs. Successful completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination qualifies graduates to take a state or regional licensing exam which is required for licensure. This limited access two-year program begins yearly in late August.
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Emergency Medical Technician–Basic Applied Technology Diploma
(561) 868-3911 www.palmbeachstate.edu/EMS.xml EMTs serve as a vital link in the life-saving chain. They work in hospital emergency rooms as E.R. technicians; they also work with ambulance services and fire departments providing basic emergency care such as stabilizing patients, controlling bleeding and administering oxygen. Palm Beach State College’s one semester, limited access program is approved by the Florida Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. When you complete the program, you will be eligible to take the state test to become a certified emergency medical technician. Our program offers convenient day and evening classes at the Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens campuses. Completion is required to become a paramedic.
Paramedic College Credit Certificate
(561) 868-3911 www.palmbeachstate.edu/EMS.xml Paramedics help save lives in emergencies. Our 12-month comprehensive program is approved by the Florida Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Emergency Services Program. It provides instruction through lectures, handson training and clinical field internships, preparing you for state certification. You also earn college credit towards an associate’s degree in Emergency Medical Services, or earn transition credits into the Nursing program, which increases your job opportunities and earning potential. The Florida EMT-Basic is a prerequisite for this limited-access program.
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Medical Assisting Certificate
(561) 868-3819 www.palmbeachstate.edu/MedicalAssistant.xml The Medical Assisting profession is one of the nation’s fastest growing careers. This 13-month program prepares you to be a medical assistant in a health care practice or facility, performing administrative and clinical duties. Administrative duties include managing appointments, maintaining paper and electronic health records, and scheduling patient procedures. Clinical duties include taking vital signs, assisting physician during exams and minor surgeries, drawing blood, and doing ECGs and basic lab tests. Graduates are eligible to take the CMA (AAMA) certification exam to obtain the key credential desired by employers. Palm Beach State’s Medical Assisting program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.CAAHEP.org)—1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756; 727-210-2350—upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (www.MAERB.org), 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1575, Chicago, IL 60606; 1-800-228-2262.
Medical Information Coder/Biller College Credit Certificate
(561) 868-3819 www.palmbeachstate.edu/MedicalCode.xml Medical coders/billers are responsible for transferring data from the patient’s record into numerical codes for insurance claims submission. As a medical coder/biller your role is critical within a physician’s office, outpatient clinic and hospital to ensure correct payment for physician and medical services. The demand for this career continues to grow, and it is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys attention to detail. As a graduate of our program you will be able to take the Certified Coding Specialist or Certified Professional Coder exams. Eleven credits from this program may be applied toward the Health Information Management Associate in Science degree. The Medical Information Coder/Biller program is accredited by the American Health Information Management Association.
Medical Transcription Applied Technology Diploma
(561) 868-3819 www.palmbeachstate.edu/MedicalTranscription.xml Medical Transcriptionists (MTs) are medical language specialists who translate voice files that physicians and health care professionals dictate using state-of-the-art technology. These files become legal medical records of a patient. Most MTs now work independently from their homes, either as full-time, home-based employees or independent contractors. There is a critical shortage of well-trained qualified MTs. MTs have a broad understanding of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology as well as medicolegal issues and health care documentation and play a vital role in ensuring patients receive high quality health care. Skills needed for success as an MT include strong English grammar skills, excellent research/resources skills, strong computer and keyboarding skills and keen listening skills. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) entry-level certification examination (Registered Medical Transcriptionist).
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Some credits from Medical Information Coder/Biller and Medical Transcription can be applied toward this degree.
Health Information Management Associate in Science degree
(561) 868-3819 www.palmbeachstate.edu/HealthInfoMgmt.xml Health information management professionals combine the challenging world of medicine with computerization, business, and management into one excellent career choice. Earning your Health Information Management Associate in Science degree at Palm Beach State gives you a broad knowledge of business and science coupled with medicine and law to help ensure excellent patient care and records management. The program is in candidacy for accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM). HIM professionals have the option of 150 different job titles in 40 different work settings. Our program offers a flexible schedule that includes full- and part-time, evening and online courses.
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Patient Care Assistant Certificate
(561) 868-3819 www.palmbeachstate.edu/PCA.xml This 290-hour program can serve as your entry point for a career in the health care industry. Upon completion of the program, you will be able to work in nursing homes, hospitals, long-term care and assisted living facilities, as well as in a patient’s home. The program consists of three steps on the health career ladder: Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide and Patient Care Assistant. The Nursing Assistant (75 hours) course includes classroom instruction and 40 clinical hours caring for patients in a skilled nursing facility. This certifies you to work in a nursing home environment. Upon completion, you become eligible to take the Florida State Certification Exam. Upon receiving this certificate, you then can advance to the Home Health Aide course. The Home Health Aide course is a 50-hour certification that takes about eight days to complete. This course provides you with a certificate to work in the home care setting. Another option on the career ladder beyond the Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide is a Patient Care Assistant Certification. This is a 75-hour certificate course that provides you with clinical experience in an acute care setting, such as a hospital. Many local hospitals require this certification.
Practical Nursing Certificate
(561) 868-3819 www.palmbeachstate.edu/LPN.xml Job opportunities for practical nurses are varied and plentiful in many settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies and physicians’ offices. Our Florida Board of Nursing-approved program combines 1,350 clinical and theory hours, which can be completed in approximately 16 months. Graduates are then eligible to take Florida State Boards (NCLEX-PN) and become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). This is a limited access program which requires applicants to pass entrance exams. Palm Beach State also offers an LPN to RN transition program.
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Palm Beach State College has received state approval to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing! Visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/bachelor.xml for details.
Nursing Associate in Science degree
(561) 868-3412 www.palmbeachstate.edu/Nursing.xml The national shortage of nurses makes this a hot field to pursue. Our nursing program graduates, upon licensure are collaborative, integral members of the changing health care system. Their uniqueness is evidenced by leadership in the profession as they provide and coordinate holistic care to our diverse community. Nurses work in a variety of settings from hospitals to home care. They care for patients across the lifespan form newborn to the elderly. Our comprehensive program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, and once finished you’ll be eligible to take the national exam to become licensed as a registered nurse. This is a limited access program offered on the Lake Worth and Belle Glade campuses. The Lake Worth campus program is offered both full time and part time with classes held in the evening and on weekends. Prerequisite courses are offered both face-to-face and online.
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Massage Therapy Certificate
(561) 862-4720 www.palmbeachstate.edu/MassageTherapy.xml Licensed Massage Therapists make everyone feel better! This holistic and complimentary alternative modality manipulates the soft tissues of the human body. This 750-hour program, approved by the State of Florida Board of Massage Therapy, is offered in three different calendar schedules, full time or part time. Challenge yourself intellectually and personally from anatomy and physiology to personal and professional transformational growth. Our state-of-the art facility includes a hydrotherapy wet lab where you will gain public clinical experience. Graduates are eligible to sit for a Florida state license and a National certification in massage and bodywork. Licensed massage therapists are prepared to work in hospitals, medical clinics, doctor’s offices, athletics, destination or day spas, cruise ships and private practice.
Surgical Technology Certificate
(561) 868-3561 www.palmbeachstate.edu/SurgicalTechnology.xml Our one-year program prepares you for high-demand employment as a surgical technologist in hospital operating rooms, outpatient surgical centers, labor and delivery units, and physicians’ offices. This program is ideal for individuals seeking a high-tech, high-energy medical career. The surgical technologist applies knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Students learn through classroom/lab instruction and six months of clinical experience. With experience and further education, surgical technologists may move into surgical supply sales or inventory management positions, or advance to become surgical first assistants, physician assistants or surgical nurses. Palm Beach State’s Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.CAAHEP.org)—1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756; 727-210-2350—upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), www.arcstsa.org; 6 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite #110, Littleton,
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CO 80120; 303-694-9262.
Respiratory Care Associate in Science degree
(561) 207-5068 www.palmbeachstate.edu/RespiratoryCare.xml Respiratory care is a dynamic and rewarding health profession with a number of diverse employment settings for graduates. Respiratory therapists care for patients with heart and lung problems. They work in acute-care hospitals, homes, rehabilitative centers, physician offices and outpatient clinics. The demand for respiratory therapists continues to increase dramatically and salaries are competitive with other health professions. The graduates of our American Medical Association recognized and nationally accredited program have high employment success because of training in basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, neonatal resuscitation, pediatric life support, electrocardiography, pulmonary function technology and more. Palm Beach State’s respiratory care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).Courses from this program may transfer into Palm Beach State’s Bachelor of Applied Science degree program in Supervision and Management. For more information, see the web at www.palmbeachstate.edu/Bachelor.xml.
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Radiography Associate in Science degree and Advanced Technical Certificates
(561) 207-5067 www.palmbeachstate.edu/Radiography.xml Radiologic technologists combine the high technology of medical imaging with their skills of patient care to create X-ray images. The program is 24 months long, with extensive clinical experience in local hospitals. This program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Graduates can work in hospitals, imaging centers and doctor’s offices, or work with advanced imaging modalities of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, angiography and sonography.
Sonography Associate in Science degree and College Credit Certificate
(561) 207-5053 www.palmbeachstate.edu/Sonography.xml This is a great opportunity for registered radiographers and other health care professionals who want to take their skills to another level or bachelor’s degree graduates who are looking for new career opportunities. Our 15-month, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program will train you to become a diagnostic medical sonographer and includes practical experience in local hospitals. There is tremendous demand in Palm Beach County for workers in this field. A diagnostic medical sonographer uses creativity and advanced technological ultrasound equipment to produce images of the body. Sonographers use high frequency sound waves to demonstrate body parts and assist the physician in the diagnosis of medical abnormalities. The sonographer must have an exceptional understanding of human anatomy and an artistic, creative self-directed approach for locating and demonstrating anatomy and pathology.
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Health Care Continuing Education (561) 868-3331 www.palmbeachstate.edu/cceHealth.xml As a health professional you can update your skills, obtain certifications and keep up with re-certifications based on workforce needs. Flexible schedules and on-line options are available. Through Corporate and Continuing Education, Palm Beach State offers continuing education and refresher courses in mental health, health and wellness, dental, practical nursing, registered nursing, sonography, massage therapy and nutrition. Attend conferences, earn CEU’s and take specialized health care certification courses. Visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/cceHealth.xml to search for classes.
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Palm Beach State College
Health Care Programs Dental Assisting Dental Hygiene EMT-Basic Paramedic Medical Assisting Medical Information Coder/Biller Medical Transcription Health Information Management Patient Care Assistant Practical Nursing Nursing Massage Therapy Surgical Technology Respiratory Care Radiography Sonography Bachelor of Applied Science Supervision and Management - Health Management
Continuing Education
For complete and up-to-date information go to
www.PalmBeachState.edu
Health Care
Palm Beach State College is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its facilities, educational programs, employment or activities without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Palm Beach State College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Palm Beach State College. The Commission should be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution's noncompliance with an accreditation requirement or standard. Printing was supported through the Carl D. Perkins Vocational & Technical Postsecondary Education Section 132 grant.