The Northwest Ohio Allied Health Education Consortium brings four institutions of higher education in the northwestern corner of Ohio into partnership to share existing allied health programs.
The partner schools are Northwest State Community College, Rhodes State College, Marion Technical College and Urbana University. Students can enroll in any of these partner colleges while attending their hometown college or university with the help of distance education formats such as live video teleconferencing, webcasting, podcasting and more. For example, Northwest State students can take their general education core courses at NSCC and enroll in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Rhodes State, reducing the need for travel due to the use of distance education. Clinical education experiences may be available in your hometown as well.
More information on the Northwest Ohio Allied Health Education Consortium can be found at www.ohioalliedhealth.com.
Health Information Technician
Health information technician (HIT) focuses on the management of healthcare data. As a health information technician, you would be responsible for maintaining components of health information systems consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare delivery system. The health information technician must collect, integrate, and analyze primary and secondary healthcare data; disseminate information and manage information resources related to the research, planning, provision, payment and evaluation of healthcare services. Health information technicians are found in all types of healthcare facilities including hospitals, research centers, and clinics.
Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical laboratory technician courses are offered in a blended format, using the distance education and live laboratory sessions at Marion one day a week. Clinical education experiences may be available in the local area and will be arranged during the last semester in the program. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive an associate degree from Marion Technical College. The program is designed to teach students how to collect and process specimens, perform basic analytical tests, monitor quality control and solve medical laboratory problems. Students in the program receive instruction in classroom sessions, lab practices and clinical experiences.
Radiographic Imaging
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to take American Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ radiography examination. Graduates of the program find employment as radiographers in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices and mobile units, as well as numerous specialty fields including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, mammography and vascular procedures. In addition, radiography is considered the foundation for careers in diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound), radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. Graduates may also qualify for job opportunities with commercial firms and, once advanced academic credentials are obtained, may compete for faculty appointments in radiography education as well as radiology administration positions.
Respiratory Care
Skillful providers of respiratory care are in increasing demand. Respiratory care practitioners are prepared to administer pulmonary care under the direction of licensed physicians. Their tasks involve the administration of medical gases, medications by inhalation, pulmonary drainage and positive pressure breathing treatments. Respiratory care practitioners are trained in special life-support equipment and methods of monitoring critically-ill patients. Individuals educated as respiratory care therapists must complete a minimum of two years of education. Upon completion of the Respiratory Care Program at Rhodes State College, graduates are eligible to sit for the national board exams to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Occupational Therapy Assistant
An occupational therapy assistant (OTA) treats patients using purposeful and meaningful activities. The treatment is holistic, including focus on patients’ physical, cognitive and psychological abilities. Occupational therapy assistants aid individuals of any age to regain skills needed to participate in productive, satisfactory and meaningful living. Under the supervision of an occupational therapist, an assistant can treat clients with cognitive, physical, emotional and/or developmental disabilities in a variety of healthcare and other settings. Upon successful completion of the program the graduate is eligible to take the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical therapist assistants (PTA) are skilled technical health personnel who provide physical therapy services under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist. Physical therapist assistants enhance the delivery of physical therapy services by providing delegated interventions such as therapeutic exercise, training in assistive devices, developmental activities, balance and gait training, application of thermal agents, postural training and instruction in body mechanics. Physical therapist assistants help with data collection and must demonstrate the ability to modify intervention techniques as indicated in the plan of care designated by the physical therapist. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to take the state licensure examination by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
