Testing and application deadlines for three Rend Lake College Allied Health programs are only weeks away for incoming students to enroll in the Fall 2016 semester.
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program and Radiologic Technology program applications are due by midnight Thursday, March 31. Applications for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) program are due by midnight, Tuesday, May 31.
As part of the application process, students are required to take the Psychological Service Bureau (PSB) test in the Academic Advisement Center, Room 116, of the Administration Building. Students interested in the Nursing program can test at 9 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 or Tuesday, March 29.
Students interested in the Radiologic Technology program have one test date open at 9 a.m., Monday, March 28. CMA testing dates are scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, March 28; Thursday, April, 28; and Tuesday, May 31.
The PSB test costs $30 and is due at the time of registration, which must be done in person at the testing center. Students must bring photo identification for admission to the test. The PSB is a five-part, computerized, timed test that is also a criterion for admission into the several Allied Health programs at RLC.
For questions about the PSB test, contact Beth Stevens in the Academic Advisement Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266.
Associate Degree Nursing
RLC’s ADN program is designed as a concept-based method of instruction focusing on critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, clinical reasoning, and nursing judgment. Students will learn how to give quality nursing care to clients as well as work as a member of nursing and health care teams.
The 64-credit-hour program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Graduates will be prepared to practice professional nursing in a variety of health care settings. According to the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses (RNs) work in a number of health care settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, nursing facilities, correctional facilities, schools, and in the military.
The BLS also states there will be 439,300 new jobs added to the field by 2024 – a growth rate of 16 percent. This faster-than-average growth will bring the total jobs for RNs to 2.75 million across the country. Typically, the median salary for an RN is $66,640.
To learn more about RLC’s Associate Degree Nursing program, visit online at www.rlc.edu/allied-health/nursing or contact Betty Herbert, Director of Nursing, at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1705.
Radiologic Technology
The Radiologic Technology program is designed to prepare students for fast-paced careers as radiologic technicians in hospitals or other health care facilities. In preparation, students will learn about the different operations of radiologic equipment and the study of human anatomy, as well as complete clinical experience in local hospitals.
Upon successful completion of the 71.5-credit-hour program, students will be eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Certification examination. RLC’s program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
There will be approximately 20,700 new jobs for radiologic technicians by 2024, according to the BLS. This growth will total approximately 230,600 job opportunities across the country, mainly in hospitals or other emergency care facilities. The median salary is $57,370.
To learn more about RLC’s Radiologic Technology program, visit online at www.rlc.edu/radtech or contact Holly Heisner at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1778.
Certified Medical Assistant
The CMA program offers an Associate in Applied Science degree requiring two years, or four semesters, of study and an Occupational certificate option requiring 36 credit hours in two semesters. All general education courses are required for those who want to complete the associate degree program.
The program will prepare students to work in medical offices, clinics, and other outpatient facilities doing a number of tasks, including maintaining appointment schedules and medical records, billing, recording vital signs, obtaining medical histories, and drawing blood.
Medical assistants are projected to have much faster than average job growth by 2024, according to the BLS, with more than 138,900 jobs coming into the market in the next eight years, a 23 percent increase. CMAs have an average pay of $29,960.
After graduation, students can sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants examination. For more information about the CMA program, visit online at www.rlc.edu/allied-health/certified-medical-assistant or contact Nina Goloubeva, Medical Assistant Program Director, at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1766.
