Northeast Alabama Community College is involved in a cooperative linkage program with other community colleges. The first year general education prerequisite courses are completed at Northeast. After acceptance to the health program, students may transfer to complete coursework in their chosen field of study. The following programs are offered through this arrangement:
- Dental Assisting
- Dental Hygiene
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Health Information Technology
- Clinical Laboratory Technician
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Respiratory Therapy
For specific details regarding each program, students should contact Director of Advising for more information. Office: 100 Wallace Administration Building (WA), phone ext. 2245.
Below are some examples of Allied Health Programs:
Associate in Applied Science in Diagnostic Imaging
This program is designed to provide technologists for Diagnostic Imaging Departments of hospitals and clinics. Students are taught the fundamental principles underlying all phases of Radiologic Technology. Upon graduation, the student is eligible to apply to take the registry examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (65 1-687-4448). According to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, application for certification to practice as an R.T. may be denied if a person has been convicted of a felony, is guilty of a crime involving moral turpitude, and/or has displayed other grounds for denial by law.
Associate in Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a skilled technical health care worker who assists the physical therapist in providing services that help improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy. Duties of the physical therapist assistant are varied but include rehabilitation of orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, and sports related problems. Once a patient is evaluated and a treatment plan is designed by the physical therapist, the physical therapist assistant can provide many aspects of treatment, as prescribed by the therapist. Components of treatment procedures performed by these workers involve exercise, massage, electrical stimulation, paraffin baths, hot and cold packs, traction, and ultrasound. The physical therapist assistant is responsible for reporting patient responses and treatment outcomes to the physical therapist. Physical therapists assistants are employed by hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health care agencies, private practices and other specialized health care settings.
Associate in Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy
A respiratory therapist is responsible for administering, under physician’s prescription, many types of breathing therapeutics, and utilizing specialized breathing, aerosol and humidification equipment. These include the use of oxygen or oxygen mixtures, chest physiotherapy, mechanical ventilation, and aerosol medications. Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat all types of patients, ranging from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to elderly people whose lungs may be diseased. Respiratory therapists provide temporary relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema, as well as emergency care to patients who are victims of a heart attack, stroke, trauma, drowning, or shock. They perform limited physical examinations, and conduct diagnostic tests that assess breathing capacities and determine the concentration of oxygen and other gases in patients. The respiratory therapist works closely with the physician and also directly with the patient in the treatment situation by performing regular assessments of patients and equipment.
Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technician
Surgical technologists are allied health professionals, who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical technologists possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
Associate in Applied Science in Funeral Service
Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians by performing duties such as teeth cleaning, electrocardiography, bandaging, wound cleaning, surgical site preparation, radiology (x-rays), some types of injections, administering oral medications, suture removal, surgery assistant, and laboratory duties to include hematology, urinalysis and blood chemistry. An Alabama veterinary technician may not perform surgery or prescribe medications. Most courses require the student to work at least 20 hours per week at an approved clinical site to complete the required clinical tasks.
Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Technician
Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians by performing duties such as teeth cleaning, electrocardiography, bandaging, wound cleaning, surgical site preparation, radiology (x-rays), some types of injections, administering oral medications, suture removal, surgery assistant, and laboratory duties to include hematology, urinalysis and blood chemistry. An Alabama veterinary technician may not perform surgery or prescribe medications. Most courses require the student to work at least 20 hours per week at an approved clinical site to complete the required clinical tasks.