News

UA-PTC to offer programs in health and emergency medical sciences

Beginning in spring 2019, as approved by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees and the Higher Learning Commission, University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College will begin offering three new Allied Health Programs currently residing at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. UA - Pulaski Tech will be welcoming the faculty from UAMS in health information management, surgical technology, and emergency medical sciences.

The following programs will be offered:

• Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Science (EMS) - Paramedic
• Technical Certificate in EMS - Paramedic
• Certificate of Proficiency in Emergency Medical Science Technology (EMT)
• Associate of Science in Health Information Technology
• Associate of Science in Surgical Technology - will be available fall 2019

Webpages for the new allied health programs are now available on the college website and can be accessed at the links below. Each page features in-depth information about the programs being offered and an online application. Curriculum and degree plan information will be added soon.

• Emergency Medical Science
• Health Information Technology
• Surgical Technology

Certified EMTs who have completed a minimum of one college-level course are eligible to apply for the paramedic certificate program.

All paramedic students are eligible for the Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Sciences degree by completing the core curriculum (listed below) in addition to the Paramedic Certificate.

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program consists of six semester credit hours of course work in EMSC 1602 – Introduction to Emergency Medical Technology. Historically, those enrolled in this course are motivated to work as a licensed EMT, paramedic, fire service career, or establishing patient care skills in another health profession such as physician assistant or medicine. Students who successfully complete the course may be eligible to challenge the EMT credentialing examinations offered by the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT). Classes are held two nights per week.

After completing a program in the emergency medical science field, graduates will be employable with fire departments, ambulance services, private industry, government entities, educational institutions, medical helicopter services, and military medical units. The EMS profession is expected to grow 23 percent through 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with EMTs holding advanced degrees and certifications enjoying the most favorable prospects.

The Associate of Science in Health Information Technology is a two-year online program that accepts 20 students in the fall and 12 in the spring. Admission to the program is competitive with the advantage going to those students with higher cumulative and prerequisite GPAs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 22-percent employment growth for health information technicians from 2012 to 2022—much faster than the average (about 10 percent) for all occupations. In 2013, medical records and health information technicians had a median annual salary of $34,970.

The Associate of Science in Surgical Technology will be offered in the fall 2019. The surgical technology program is a full-time day program with one cohort of 16 students beginning each fall semester. The full-time program consists of two semesters (fall/spring) with a summer session. The program consists of 39 credits of prerequisite course work and 31 credits in the surgical technology curriculum, for a total of 70 credits. Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 30 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Several factors will lead to demand for surgical technologists.

“The addition of these programs is part of UA-PTC’s efforts to continue to offer degrees/certificates in medically necessary fields of study consistent with the needs of our community and the needs of an ever changing health care environment,” said Dr. Marico Bryant Howe, dean, School of Science, Mathematics and Health, who will be supervising these new programs at UA - Pulaski Tech.

The new health and emergency medical sciences programs were approved Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 by the Higher Learning Commission.

For more information about the new health and emergency medical sciences programs, contact Dr. Marico Bryant Howe, dean, School of Science, Mathematics and Health at 501-812-2342 or email [email protected].