LCC preps students for evolving healthcare industry
As the healthcare industry in South Texas continues to grow and evolve technologically, quality educational programs are needed to produce caring and competent professionals who are sensitive and sympathetic to the region’s unique culture and traditions.
Laredo Community College has responded to the region’s need for quality healthcare professionals in nursing and allied health fields through its comprehensive health sciences program. The college also is looking at ways for health science graduates to advance their careers with fast track opportunities to earn advanced degrees at LCC.
LCC prepares South Texas students for 11 health-related careers, all of which are fully accredited model programs, thanks to student achievement on national and state board certifications.
The nursing program includes instruction for Associate Degree Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing Transition Track, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistant (Aide). The length of the programs varies from one semester to two years.
In the allied health division, LCC offers one- and two-year training for careers in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Medical Office Assistant/Coding Technician, Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Radiologic Technology (RT). The newest allied health program—Phlebotomy—begins this fall.
NURSING
A transition track is available for licensed vocational nurses and emergency medical technicians who may want to advance their careers via the college’s Associate Degree Nursing program. Through the ADN Transition Track, students can complete the two-year program in one year.
The college also has provided a seamless transfer for many of its graduates to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees at major state universities through articulation agreements and partnerships.
“As we continue to experience shortages for healthcare practitioners locally and globally, statistics indicate that employment of allied health and nursing professionals is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the next decade,” Dianna Miller, Dean of Health Sciences at LCC, said. “As the leading provider of health sciences education for South Texas, Laredo Community College is committed to delivering quality and technologically advanced instruction by caring and gifted faculty.
“LCC also is committed to helping our graduates reach new heights in their careers after completing their studies at LCC.”
ALLIED HEALTH
LCC Allied Health Department Chairperson Norma Moore said that the healthcare industry offers an array of careers to choose from.
“If you love working with people, nursing, physical therapy or occupational therapy are good careers to pursue,” Moore said. “If you are technologically inclined, then radiology, medical lab and phlebotomy may be better suited for you. For those who are in-between, consider EMS. In this industry, you have choices which offer many rewarding opportunities.”
She added that the Allied Health Department has begun to implement innovative ways for students from other parts of the South Texas region to realize their dreams via the college’s Distance Learning Center.
Imelda Guevara, who lives outside the community college district, plans to complete the Occupational Therapy Assistant program in December.
For years, Guevara envisioned herself as a healthcare provider. But, opportunities were dim for the Zapata resident, considering that the nearest health sciences school—LCC—is about 50 miles away and she has a family to care for at home.
Her career ambitions became reality through the aid of online courses, which she has accessed from her hometown. She, along with two other Zapata students, had to commute only twice a week to Laredo.
“The online classes were a blessing,” Guevara said. “My classmates and I traveled less, saved gas money, and, personally, I was able to handle my responsibilities as a student and as a parent of two children.”
Other students are discovering alternate paths to fulfill their career ambitions in the healthcare industry.
For instance, Alfonso Ortiz realized his career goal as a student in the Medical Laboratory Technology program, which offers an important foundation in medicine and an alternate path to medical school.
“For some students, medical lab technology may seem like an unlikely route to start a career in medicine,” Moore said. “But, it can actually be a great stepping stone to enter the fields of medicine, forensics, public health, infectious diseases and pharmacology.”
Ortiz’s choice of career path validates Moore’s viewpoint.
“It’s vital to have the medical lab where a patient’s diagnosis is made,” Ortiz said. “That is why I chose to become a medical lab technician to be part of one of the most important aspects of a hospital where cures are discovered to bring a person back to good health.”
His determination, his passion for his chosen field and the valuable guidance he has received from his college instructors are helping him realize his career ambition.
Ortiz earned an associate’s degree in MLT from LCC in May. He will transfer to the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio this fall. Thereafter, he plans to enter medical school.
Due to limited admission in each program of study, prospective students must apply for admission to enter a desired nursing or allied health program.
Applications for the ADN Program and ADN Transition Track are available in Lopez Nursing Building, room 126 (721-5252).
Applications for the Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistant Programs are in Lopez Nursing Building, room 104 (721-5255).
Applications for the allied health programs are in the Allied Health Building, room 117 (721-5261).
GOING THE DISTANCE: Occupational Therapy Assistant student Imelda Guevara is realizing her career goals with distance education opportunities available at Laredo Community College. Online coursework has allowed Guevara to study from her home in Zapata, located about 50 miles away from Laredo.
REALIZING A GOAL: Laredo Community College graduate Alfonso Ortiz is among the dozens of students in the college’s health sciences programs that are accomplishing their goals to enter the rewarding healthcare industry.
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