SICCM Programs Application Deadline Quickly Approaching
For those who wish to pursue a career as an occupational therapy assistant, veterinary technician, medical lab technician or surgical technician, the deadline for admission to the programs through Southeastern Illinois College is quickly approaching.
March 1 is the deadline for these certified programs made available through the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM).
Placement in the programs is limited to five students each per community college district for the 2016 fall semester, but there is still availability at this time.
The occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program trains students to help patients regain mobility, independence and strength lost due to disease, injury or other disability. Students develop entry-level skills necessary to provide services to persons of all ages who have experienced loss of function because of physical, neurological, social/emotional, cognitive or developmental disabilities.
OTA is a two-year, associate in applied science degree program and offers career opportunities in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, sheltered workshops, schools, camps, homes, physicians’ offices, community programs and private practices.
For individuals interested in a career in animal health care, SICCM’s veterinary technology program provides entry-level training in the administrative and technical aspects of medicine and surgery associated with small, large, exotic and laboratory animals.
Students learn how to assist veterinarians in their diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions and diseases affecting animals and to perform certain medical tests, including urinalysis, blood count and tissue samples.
Upon completion of the program, students are qualified to administer medications and vaccines, obtain and record case histories and physical exams, educate and advise animal owners in nutrition and animal health, read and fill prescriptions, assist in administration of anesthesia, perform dental prophylaxes, collect specimens, perform laboratory procedures, expose and develop radiographs and assist in diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures.
Veterinary technology is a two-year associate in applied science degree program. Major employers of veterinary technicians are veterinarians, animal clinics and animal hospitals.
The medical lab technology program gives students the technical skills required to perform routine procedures in hematology, serology, coagulation, clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, blood banking, urinalysis, vein puncture and quality control.
Graduates of this associate in applied science degree program find jobs in hospitals, clinics, skilled care facilities, health maintenance organizations, independent medical labs, blood banks and government agencies.
SICCM’s surgical technology program prepares students to be part of a surgical team comprised of physicians, nurses and other surgical personnel. Students acquire entry-level skills necessary to assist in operations, including preparation of patients, operating rooms for scheduled and emergency surgery and instruments and equipment.
Duties also include operating certain surgical equipment, keeping surgical records and assisting in post-operative procedures.
Surgical technology is a one-year certificate program that helps graduates find employment in hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers, ambulatory surgical centers and transplant and specialist clinics.
Amy Murphy, director of nursing and allied health at SIC, feels the college’s partnership with SICCM gives students from Southeastern’s district a rich variety of career choices in health care.
“Completion of any of these programs provides excellent employment opportunities, as well as the potential for future educational growth,” said Murphy. “The faculty and directors of the programs are dedicated to the success of their graduates.”
SICCM is a consortium of Southeastern Illinois College, John A. Logan College, Kaskaskia College, Rend Lake College, Shawnee Community College and Southern Illinois University. The alliance exists to meet a number of educational needs common to the region, particularly in the area of health care.
Application packets and additional information about the above programs are available by calling an SIC recruiter before March 1at 618-252-5400, ext. 2245 or 2325.
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