Allied Health and Nursing Programs

(view program listings here)

The College offers numerous degrees and career studies certificate programs at the Medical Education Campus for those who wish to pursue careers in the health professions. Many of the programs are accredited by professional organizations. Each program is designed with the advice of community health professionals to include a balance of technical and general education courses. The purpose of Allied Health and Nursing programs is to prepare caring, competent, adaptable, reflective, service-oriented health care professionals who can identify and use a variety of resources and technologies to function successfully in diverse and evolving health care practice environments.

Students are advised that the NOVA’s Allied Health and Nursing programs have been designed to prepare students for direct entry to health careers. However, a few programs have articulated agreements with four-year colleges and universities that facilitate the partial or complete transfer of NOVA course work to four-year degree programs. Students who wish to transfer to a baccalaureate program should consult the appropriate assistant dean early in the program of study.

Allied Health and Nursing programs are based at the Medical Education Campus. Some core courses are available online or at locations other than the Medical Education Campus. Students may take general education support courses at any of the six College campuses.

Because of limited laboratory, classroom and/or clinical space, certain Allied Health and Nursing programs have limited enrollment. Acceptance to NOVA does not constitute acceptance into a specific Allied Health or Nursing program. The College contracts with a large number of Metropolitan Washington health-care facilities and community-based agencies for clinical instruction. These contracts regulate the conditions under which NOVA Allied Health and Nursing students may obtain required clinical experience. In some cases, accrediting bodies may specify program requirements.

Each program has specific admission, program continuation, and program completion criteria. These are described under each program. Due to the unique responsibilities involved in health careers, the college reserves the right to require that any student who is unsuited for any Allied Health or Nursing program be withdrawn and guided into a more suitable field of study.

Admission into an Allied Health or Nursing program begins with application to the College, followed by attendance at a program information session. To declare your major in an Allied Health or Nursing program an interview with a counselor or an assistant dean may also be required. Admission is not complete until all admission requirements are met. Early application is desirable.

Students are accepted with priority given to: (1) legal residents domiciled in the cities and counties supporting the College, (2) other Virginia legal residents, (3) out-of-state applicants, and (4) international students. For certain Health Science programs, "counties supporting the College" may include those in which clinical affiliates have contractual agreements with NOVA.

The Allied Health and Nursing programs are authorized to deny enrollment in health programs to any student who has been arrested and charged with a felony pertaining to controlled substances and who was adjudicated guilty, or adjudication was withheld because of placement in a pre-trial intervention program or who entered a plea of nolo contendere.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
FOR ALLIED HEALTH AND NURSING PROGRAMS

The following chart lists the Allied Health and Nursing programs and shows the program type and number of credits required for graduation from each.

Allied Health and Nursing Degree and Career Studies Certificate (CSC) Programs
		Credits
*Dental Hygiene	A.A.S	72
*Diagnostic Medical Sonography	A.A.S	72
*Echocardiography Specialization	A.A.S	68
*Vascular Sonography Specialization	A.A.S	68
*Emergency Medical Services Technology	A.A.S	68
Health Information Technology	A.A.S	70
*Medical Lab Technology	A.A.S	71
*Nursing	A.A.S	69
*Nursing MOMENTUM 2+1/General Studies	A.A.S & A.S.	90
*Physical Therapist Assistant	A.A.S	71
*Radiography	A.A.S	72
*Respiratory Therapy	A.A.S	72
Clinical Data Coding	CSC	29
Computed Tomography	CSC	9
Magnetic Resonance Imaging	CSC	11
Medical Transcription	CSC	23
Phlebotomy	CSC	11

*These programs require students to successfully complete prerequisite courses prior to admission. See program description for specific details.

General Admission Requirements for Allied Health and Nursing Programs

Unless otherwise specified, applicants must meet all of the following requirements to be admitted to Allied Health or Nursing degree or career studies certificate programs:

1. Be admitted to Northern Virginia Community College.

2. Be 18 years of age or older, or have approval of the Assistant Dean.

3. Have earned satisfactory scores on specified placement tests.

4. Have completed one unit of high school-level algebra or equivalent. See “Admission Requirements” under EACH program for particular math course prerequisites.

5. Have completed at least one unit of high school-level science or equivalent. See “Admission Requirements” under EACH program for particular science course prerequisites.

6. Have achieved a “C” average or higher in the above course requirements. Deficiencies may be corrected by taking NOVA courses before entering an Allied Health or Nursing program of study.

7. Have achieved a 2.0 GPA or higher in all required general education courses taken preceding admission to an Allied Health or Nursing program, unless waived by the division dean upon the recommendation of the assistant dean.

8. Hold current CPR certification prior to entering clinical courses, unless formally waived by the assistant dean. See specific program for level of CPR required.

9. Submit a completed Pre-Admission Health History and Physical for Allied Health and Nursing form (NVCC 125-7) signed by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner; this must be submitted prior to entering program courses.

10. Students with criminal convictions who do not self-disclose this information are subject to dismissal from the program and will not be allowed admission in any other Allied Health or Nursing program. A criminal background check and drug screen are required for admission to programs as clinical affiliates include this requirement in affiliation agreements.

11. Have completed a program information session and/or interview with the assistant dean as required.

Responsibilities of Allied Health and Nursing Students

The following are responsibilities of students in all Allied Health and Nursing programs:

1. To prepare students for the high ethical standards of the health professions, the College expects absolute academic integrity both in the classroom and in clinical practice. Therefore, cheating, attempting to cheat, plagiarizing, lying, stealing academic work which includes secured tests or related materials, submitting papers purchased or written by others, or failing to report an occurrence of academic dishonesty or any violation of this honor code may subject the student to the College's disciplinary procedures as defined in the NOVA Student Handbook.

2. Students in Allied Health and Nursing programs incur a variety of expenses in addition to college tuition and fees. These include, but are not limited to, the cost of uniforms, accessories, and travel to clinical assignments. Students are also responsible for state licensure and national accreditation application and testing fees.

3. The College reserves the right to require students to obtain and maintain at their own expense liability/malpractice insurance with a carrier authorized to transact such business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Whether or not insurance appropriate to the program is required, students are encouraged to carry such insurance on their own.

4. A strict dress code is required in the clinical setting. Students may be dismissed if they fail to comply with this dress code.

5. Students are required to complete learning experiences at local hospitals and/or other community-based agencies. Students may be required to attend day, evening and/or weekend clinical assignments.

6. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical assignments. Strict attendance is required at clinical sites.

7. Students may utilize the resources of the assigned clinical affiliate for emergency medical treatment for injuries or illness that may occur during the time period when students are assigned to the health care facility. The student is responsible for any expenses incurred for this treatment.

8. Students must comply with all clinical contract protocols including immunization requirements, drug screening and background checks.

9. Students must keep their CPR certifications current each year they are enrolled in an Allied Health or Nursing Program.

10. While enrolled in clinical courses, students may not replace or take the responsibility of “qualified” staff in affiliated facilities. However, after demonstrating proficiency, students may be permitted to perform specified procedures under careful supervision. Allied Health and Nursing students may be employed in clinical facilities outside regular education hours provided that such work does not interfere with academic responsibilities. The work must be non-compulsory and subject to employee regulations. Any exception to this policy must have the approval of the Allied Health or Nursing Division Dean.

11. Students are expected to conform to the Code of Clinical Conduct as outlined in the Nursing and Allied Health Student Handbook, the Student Clinical Education Handbook, and comply with the behaviors outlined in the Generic Abilities, Core Values and APTA Code of Conduct for the programs, as well as adhere to the student code of conduct outlined in the NOVA Student Handbook while in the clinic and while living in clinic owned housing. Students who fail to demonstrate professional and appropriate behavior required of a health care practitioner, as outlined in the above publications, will receive a failing grade for the course, are subject to dismissal from the program, disciplinary action if the behavior violates the standards of student conduct outlined in the NOVA Student Handbook, or both.

Continuation Requirements for Allied Health and Nursing Students

The following continuation requirements govern students in all Allied Health and Nursing programs:

1. Each course in the program major must be completed with a grade of C or better before taking the next course in the sequence and to satisfy graduation requirements, unless waived by the division dean upon the recommendation of the assistant dean.

2. All courses in the major must be taken in the sequence prescribed in the NOVA Catalog, unless otherwise approved by the program assistant dean.

3. To pass a course students must successfully complete both the didactic (classroom) and the clinical/lab requirements.

4. Program faculty and clinical affiliates reserve the right to recommend, through appropriate channels, withdrawal of any student who exhibits unsafe performance or non-adherence to prescribed clinical affiliate policies and procedures.

5. Students must be able to perform all essential functions of the program in which they are enrolled.

6. Students with criminal convictions who do not self-disclose this information are subject to dismissal from the program and will not be allowed admission in any other Allied Health or Nursing program.

Program Re-Enrollment Requirements for Allied Health and Nursing Students

Any student who has voluntarily withdrawn or who has been withdrawn due to unsatisfactory academic, conduct, or clinical performance may apply for re-admission the following academic year. Acceptance will be based upon space availability, successful fulfillment of any contingencies agreed to in writing at the time of withdrawal, and assistant dean approval. An interview and medical examination may be required. The medical examination requirement may be fulfilled by submitting a completed Pre-Admission Health History and Physical for Allied Health and Nursing form (125-007) signed by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner.

Any student who has been out of the program for any reason for longer than one academic year must reapply under the admissions requirements. A medical examination and interview with the assistant dean are required. Additional coursework may be required prior to a clinical rotation assignment.