Roane State Community College

Admission to the Programs

There are specific eligibility/admission criteria for Health Science Degree Programs.  The following policies are for: Dental Hygiene, Health Information Management, Medical Informatics, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care, Surgical Technology, and Vision Care Technology.  (Admissions policies for Technical Certificate programs can be found in the catalog under "Admission to the Health Science Certificate Programs"),

1. Complete the Roane State Community College (RSCC) admissions process to become an admitted student AND
2. When completing the RSCC Application, select A.S. Degree, Pre-Allied Health Sciences, as your program of study. This will allow you to begin taking those general education courses that meet the prerequisite course requirements to be considered for admission to the allied health science AAS program of your choice.
   
   Pre-Allied Health Sciences is an Associate of Science (AS) degree program that will provide a pathway for students who are currently applying to one or more of the allied health science AAS degree programs including: 
   Dental Hygiene
   Health Information Management
   Medical Informatics
   Medical Laboratory Technology
   Occupational Therapy Assistant
   Physical Therapist Assistant
   Radiologic Technology
   Respiratory Care
   Surgical Technology
   Vision Care Technology
    
3. The applicant must meet one of the following minimum academic requirements:
   1. Students under 21 years of age must attain a composite score of 20 or above on the ACT taken within the last 3 years OR attain a GPA of 2.50 or better after completion of at least 9 semester hours of general education courses required in the selected degree program.
      1. A student can apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program without 9 credits of college-level courses by using their ACT score of 19 or higher along with observation hours.
      2. A student can apply to the Vision Care Technology program without 9 credits of college-level courses by using their ACT score of 20 or higher.
   2. Students 21 years of age or older must attain a GPA of 2.50 or better after completion of at least 9 hours of general education courses required in the selected degree program.
      1. A student can apply to the Vision Care Technology program without 9 credits of college-level courses by using their Accuplacer average score of 250 or higher (if 21 years or older).
4. In addition, applicants must meet the admission requirements as specified for the selected degree program (found on the program webpage).
   1. Some degree programs have required prerequisites in addition to the 9 hours of general education courses and/or a minimum GPA greater than 2.50. These prerequisites are listed in the college catalog under the appropriate degree program.
   2. Some degree programs require an interview, if applicable, before the review date by the Allied Health Programs Admissions Committee.
      1. Students must be eligible
      2. Students must be ranked and fall into the group designated for interviews (there is a predetermined number of interview slots for the programs that conduct interviews)
   3. Completing math and science courses required in some Allied Health degree programs with a grade of B or better may enhance the applicant selection ranking. Some degree programs have a limitation on the age of required science courses for admission.  Completing additional general education courses (i.e. English Composition I, College Mathematics or Statistics, Speech, etc.) may also result in a higher selections ranking.
   4. All Learning Support requirements must be completed for all selective admission programs prior to acceptance into the selected program.
   5. Applicants must be able to physically meet the demands of the job as defined by the discipline, available industry standards and the public’s expectations.
   6. Some degree programs require documented clinical observations or discipline-specific work experiences by the published program deadline. Special consideration may be given to applicants with work experience. Each Program Director requiring clinical observation or discipline-specific work experience will verify clinical observations and/or discipline-specific work experience has been completed satisfactorily. Observation forms are found on the program webpage. Instructions for documenting work experience, i.e. sending in resumes is on the program webpage.
5. 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, you may select up to three programs. 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 all records and documentation are received by the appropriate department by the published application deadline.
6. 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 Allied Health Programs Admissions Committee.
7. Students will be notified electronically via RaiderNet email of acceptance to an Allied Health degree program. Students must acknowledge their acceptance via reply email by the designated response date stated in the acceptance email.
8. Admission to the degree program is required prior to enrolling in Allied Health program discipline-specific courses with the following exceptions:
   1. HIMT 1300 and 1301 MUST be taken as prerequisite classes for both the Health Information Management and Medical Informatics programs.  HIMT 1302 MAY be taken prior to entering the Health Information Management or Medical Informatics programs.  HIMT 1400 MAY be taken prior to entering the Health Information Management Program. 
   2. HIMT 1300 MAY be taken prior to entering the Surgical Technology Program.
   3. PTAT 2200 MUST be taken as a prerequisite for the Physical Therapist Assistant program.
   4. RADT 1200 MAY be taken before entering the Radiologic Technology program, and it is highly recommended to take RADT 1200 prior to entering the Radiologic Technology program.
   5. MLAB 1301 MAY be taken before entering the Medical Laboratory Technology program, and it is highly recommended to take MLAB 1301 prior to entering the Medical Laboratory Technology program.  
9. 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 discipline-specific courses until their major has been changed.
10. Meeting minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission to the program of choice.  Preference will be given to TN residents.
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 criminal background 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 and exposure to ionizing radiation. 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.  

Liability Insurance

Evidence of malpractice insurance is required prior to participating in any clinical learning experience. The fee is included in the student’s tuition and fees as an additional charge and will be listed as “liability insurance”.

Program Application Deadlines

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

Program	Degree	RSCC Deadline for Fall class	RSCC Deadline for Spring class
Dental Hygiene	A.A.S.	February 28
Health Information Management	A.A.S.	May 15
Medical Informatics	A.A.S.	May 15	October 31
Medical Laboratory Technology	A.A.S.	March 31
Occupational Therapy Assistant	A.A.S.	March 31
Physical Therapist Assistant	A.A.S.	May 15
Radiologic Technology	A.A.S.	May 15
Respiratory Care	A.A.S.	May 15
Surgical Technology	A.A.S.	March 31
Vision Care Technology	A.A.S.	May 15

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 all records and documentation are received by the appropriate department by the published application deadline.

Conditional Admission

Students that do not meet minimum selective admission 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 degree 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 degree checklist. 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 will be dropped from that class and must 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 an allied health program must meet all admission criteria for the selected degree 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 degree program will be permitted.
   Note: Some degree 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 Allied Health 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 an allied health degree 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 degree program.