HutchCC Allied Health programs prepare students for healthcare careers
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College’s Allied Health Department offers several educational pathways designed to prepare students for careers across the healthcare industry.
Programs include associate degree and practical nursing, healthcare training, physical therapist assisting, respiratory care, radiologic technology, surgical technology and health information management. The college also provides training for certified nursing assistants, certified medication aides and phlebotomists.
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Alison Casebolt, with the Allied Health Department, said recently renovated classrooms, laboratories and simulation areas reflect the environments students will encounter in the workplace. Students also receive hands-on experience through clinical rotations at partnering healthcare facilities.
Casebolt said those clinical experiences allow students to apply classroom lessons while working with patients and healthcare professionals. They can also provide an entry into the workforce.
She estimated that about nine out of 10 students secure their first jobs through relationships developed during clinical training.
HutchCC offers multiple nursing pathways. Its practical nursing certificate may be completed in either 10 or 18 months. The associate degree nursing program prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN examination and become registered nurses.
Bridge options are available for licensed practical nurses and paramedics seeking to become registered nurses. One bridge program combines online academic instruction with in-person clinical training.
Other associate degree programs include physical therapist assisting, surgical technology, radiologic technology and respiratory care. Students divide their time among classroom instruction, laboratory work and clinical assignments.
Lesley Weigel said HutchCC also offers online programs in health information management, medical coding and cancer registry management. Those programs prepare students for careers involving medical records, coding, regulatory compliance and oncology data.
The department serves both traditional college students and adults changing careers. Weigel said prospective students may request information thr