Roane State Community College

Admission to the Health Science Technical Certificate Programs

Due to limited enrollment, there are special admission policies for Health Science Certificate programs. The following policies are for: EMT, Advanced EMT, Paramedic, Advanced Pharmacy Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Coding, and Polysomnography.

1. Complete the Roane State Community College (RSCC) admissions process to become an admitted student AND
2. When completing the RSCC Admissions Application, select Certificate and the specific area as your program of study.
   Health Science Certificates are offered in:
   Accelerated Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
   Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
   Advanced Pharmacy Technology
   Emergency Medical Technician
   Massage Therapy
   Medical Coding
   Paramedic
   Polysomnography
3. Applicants must complete the electronic Health Sciences Application by the published program deadline (listed below). Go to RaiderNet and click on "Apply for a Health Science Program". When choosing the Planned Course of Study, select the program you wish to be considered for. If you wish to apply for more than one program, you must go back in and apply for that additional program.  If a program is not selected as a Planned Course of Study you will not be considered for that program.
   Note: Incomplete applications will not be processed. Any applications received after the published application deadline may be considered by the Program Director on a space available basis. It is the student’s responsibility to assure that the appropriate department receives all records and documentation by the published application deadline.
4. The applicant must meet certain minimum requirements to be considered eligible for admission to the program:
   1. Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic
      1. ACT Reading score of 19 or higher if under 21 OR
      2. Accuplacer reading score of 250 or higher OR
      3. College level course that requires reading as a prerequisite (e.g. Composition)
      4. Paramedic also requires an entrance exam and interview in addition to basic eligibility requirements
   2. Advanced Pharmacy Technician
      1. ACT Math score of 17 or higher OR Accuplacer math score of 240 or higher AND
      2. ACT Reading score of 18 or higher OR Accuplacer reading score of 240 or higher
      3. Students with prior college level credit must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher
   3. Massage Therapy
      1. ACT Reading score of 19 or higher or
      2. HESI A2 score of 70 or higher or
      3. Composition I with a grade of C or better
   4. Medical Coding
      1. ACT Reading and math scores of 19 or higher and ACT Writing score of 18 or higher OR
      2. Accuplacer score of 250 in reading, writing, and math OR
      3. Completion of college level courses in reading, writing, and math
   5. Polysomnography
      1. ACT Composite score of 19 or higher OR
      2. Accuplacer average score of 250 or higher OR
      3. Passing score on the TEAS V (formally HOBET) (minimum score-42)
5. In addition, applicants must meet the admission requirements as specified for the selected degree program.
   1. Some certificate programs require an interview-Paramedic, Massage Therapy, and Polysomnography
   2. Completing Anatomy and Physiology courses required for the Medical Coding certificate with a grade of B or better may enhance the applicant selection ranking. Also completing HIMT 1300-Medical Terminology and/or HIMT 1301-Intro to Health Information Management with a grade of B or better may enhance the applicant selection ranking.
   3. Applicants must be able to physically meet the rigorous physical demands of the job as defined by the discipline, available industry standards and the public’s expectations.
6. Meeting minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission to the program of choice. Students that do not meet minimum requirements will only be considered under special circumstances and on a space-available basis.
7. Each Program Director will complete a list of recommended candidates for admission to their program indicating that all of the general and program admission criteria and required documents have been verified. Final selection of students will be made by the Health Science Programs Admissions Committee.
8. Students will be notified electronically via RaiderNet email of acceptance to a Health Science certificate program. Students must acknowledge their acceptance via reply email by the designated response date stated in the acceptance email.
9. Admission to the certificate program is required prior to enrolling in the majority of Health Science program discipline-specific courses (see course descriptions for open enrollment courses).
10. The Health Sciences Admissions Advisor will change the major of all accepted students to accurately reflect their program of study. Students may not register for the majority of discipline-specific courses until their major has been changed (see specific course descriptions for open enrollment courses).
11. Successful admission and completion of any RSCC health sciences program does not guarantee state licensure and/or national certification to practice as there may be additional state/national criteria required for attainment of various allied health licenses/certifications.

Criminal Background Checks

Criminal background checks and drug screening may be a requirement at affiliated clinical sites utilized for training in Health Sciences programs. Based on the results of these checks, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility. This would result in your inability to successfully complete the requirements of the program. Students will be responsible for the costs of the background check. Additionally, a second criminal background may be required by the state upon application for licensure and may preclude licensure or employment. More information is available from your program director.

Health Guidelines

Students may be required to undergo a physical exam/health verification prior to enrollment. Students will be responsible for the cost of the physical examination and required immunizations and/or testing.

In addition, students in the RSCC Health Sciences programs may be exposed to blood, body fluids and communicable diseases. There are also other potential risks such as physical injury. Health Science students must comply with the various health guidelines and safety requirements mandated by the clinical agency to participate in any required clinical experience. Health, safety, and immunization requirements are established by the clinical affiliate (hospital, clinic, community setting, etc.) and not Roane State. These may include having personal health insurance. Students are encouraged to carry personal health insurance and are responsible for costs incurred due to injury or illness while enrolled. 

Program Application Deadlines

In order for applicants to have priority consideration for entrance into the Allied Health programs for the subsequent semester, applications should be submitted as follows:

Program	RSCC Deadline for Fall class	RSCC Deadline for Spring class	RSCC Deadline for Summer class
Advanced Pharmacy Technician	March 31
Emergency Medical Technician	June 15	October 31	March 31
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician	June 15	October 31
Paramedic	June 15	October 31
Massage Therapy	June 15
Medical Coding	June 15
Polysomnography	June 15

Conditional Admission

Students that do not meet minimum requirements may be considered for conditional acceptance status on a space-available basis.

Retention Policies

A student must maintain the following standards or he/she will be dismissed from his/her respective program.

1. A grade of “C” or better in each specialty course.
   Notice: some certificate programs may have additional retention requirements regarding grades in other courses such as science courses. Please review the specific program description in this catalog, program webpage, or discuss with the Program Director.
2. Completion of specialty courses as specified by the selected certificate Program of Study. A student must be able to complete courses with the class in which he/she was admitted. A student who cannot graduate with the class in which he/she was admitted may be dropped from that class and may have to reapply to a subsequent class.
3. Evidence of malpractice insurance and physical examination prior to clinical training.
4. Be physically and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the program as defined in each program’s Core Performance Standards.

The RSCC policy of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Sanctions applies to all students regardless of the program in which they are enrolled. In cases where alcohol and drug violations occur, disciplinary action, as well as the decision whether to test for alcohol or drugs will be processed through the Dean of Health Sciences and the Dean of Students.

Readmission Procedures

1. Students applying for readmission to a Health Science certificate program must meet all admission criteria for the selected certificate program.
2. The applicant must submit a readmission request in writing to the Program Director at least thirty (30) days prior to enrollment. The request must be a detailed personal reflection of the reason(s) for the unsuccessful performance and a plan of correction.
3. One (1) readmission to an allied health certificate program will be permitted.
   Note: Some certificate programs may have a time limitation on discipline-specific or general education courses. This requirement is listed in the program’s admission information located on the program web page. The applicant must meet this requirement, if applicable.
4. The applicant applying for readmission may be required to interview with the Program Director and other program faculty, if applicable, before the review date by the Health Science Programs Admissions Committee. Interview requirements are listed on the program webpage.
5. An acceptable level of discipline-specific competency may need to be demonstrated prior to readmission. A student with previous unsatisfactory clinical performance must be recommended for readmission by consensus of the program faculty.
   Note: The Program Director will verify that all readmission documents including licensure/credentials are current and valid.
6. Readmission to a Health Science certificate program is contingent upon the availability of space.
7. Students who are dismissed for reasons associated with academic misconduct or code of ethics violations will not be considered for readmission to any allied health program.