TAP CREDIT/ADVANCED STANDING IN THE HEALTH EDUCATION DIVISION

Advanced standing opportunities exist in the following programs:

§ Nursing (Associate in Health Science)

§ Practical Nursing (Diploma in Health Science)

§ Medical Assisting (Diploma in Health Science)

Details of each program are provided on the following pages.

Health Education Programs - additional information:

The College maintains a waiting list of students who have completed entry prerequisites for each program. The following prerequisites are required in order to be placed on the waiting list for entry into Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs:

For Associate Degree Nursing

Have a high school diploma or GED, and one of the following options:

Option 1:

§ Take the SAT and score a minimum composite score of 920, with at least 450 on the verbal section or at least 420 on the math section. An ACT score of 20 or above may be substituted for the SAT.

§ Take the Nursing Entrance Test (NET) Pre‑Admission RN exam and score in the 58th percentile or above. The exam is administered at Tri‑County's Assessment Center. Contact the College Bookstore at extension 1824 to find out the next testing date and to pay the fee and obtain a study guide.

§ Take Tri‑County's COMPASS placement assessment and achieve minimum passing scores in math, reading and English. Contact the Assessment Center for testing times.

Option 2:

§ Complete the Pre-Nursing Certificate with no grade lower than a “C.” (To enter the Pre-Nursing Certificate, you must take Tri-County’s COMPASS placement assessment and achieve minimum passing scores in math, reading and English. Contact the Assessment Center for testing times.)

Note: Students who are listed on the “Complete List” may elect to apply each term for competitive clinical entry and quicker program entry.

For Practical Nursing

§ Take Tri‑County's COMPASS placement assessment and achieve minimum passing scores in math, reading and English. Contact the Assessment Center for testing times.

Note: Students who are listed on the “Complete List” may elect to apply each term for competitive clinical entry and quicker program entry

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ENTERING ONE OF THESE PROGRAMS, YOU MAY APPLY FOR TRI‑COUNTY ADMISSION AND BE PLACED ON THE COMPLETE LIST AS SOON AS YOU MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL. (For example, if you have successfully completed chemistry, biology and algebra by your junior year in high school, you can take the SAT and NET exams and apply for program admission WHILE YOU ARE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL! Once you are graduated from high school, you’ll be placed on the Complete List.) We encourage you to meet these requirements early so that you can enter the program as soon as space is available after you graduate from high school. We also recommend that you take Health Science Technology (Health Occupations) I and II in high school, so you can take advantage of the advanced standing opportunities described below.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: As a student in the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program, you will complete courses in human anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, mental health, legal and ethical aspects of nursing, and nursing processes. Throughout the 21‑month curriculum, you will experience direct patient care, patient teaching, group process and leadership roles. Upon graduation, you will become eligible to take the exam for Registered Nurse licensure.

As an ADN graduate, you will be qualified to provide direct patient care, counseling, and health education in a variety of settings. Advances in technology, new patient care settings, and a growing and aging population create a wide variety of employment opportunities for the registered nurse.

The Associate Degree Nursing program is completed in four semesters and one summer term and prepares graduates to function as members of a health care team providing direct patient care, counseling and health education. The program is approved by the State Board of Nursing of South Carolina and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination to be licensed as Registered Nurses.

IF YOU'VE COMPLETED OR ARE NOW TAKING SEQUENCES IN THESE HIGH SCHOOL COURSES:

Health Science Technology I and II

YOU CAN EARN TAP CREDIT FOR ONE OF THESE TCTC COURSES:

Medical Terminology (AHS 102), OR

Medical Vocabulary/Anatomy and Physiology (AHS 104)

(NOTE: TAP credit for these courses would not count as credit toward completion of the ADN program; however, you would receive the hours of additional credit on your college transcript.)

WHEN YOU COMPLETE THESE PROCEDURES (You must have senior standing):

1. Have a Competency Verification/Teacher Recommendation (CVTR) form completed by your health science technology teacher that verifies your competency in appropriate skills and send to Dr. Lynn Lewis, Dean, Health Education Division, Tri-County Technical College, POB 587, Hwy 76, Pendleton, SC 29670. CVTR’s can be obtained from your health science technology instructor or go to www.tctc.edu and click on High School Connection, then TAP, then Teacher Recommendation Forms. Scroll down to the Medical courses.

2. Pass a written TAP exam with a grade of "C" or better.

ELECTIVES: 3 Semester Credit Hours of one of the following:

NUR 230 Physical Assessment

NUR 232 Gerontologic Nursing

NUR 274 Issues in Nursing Practice

DEGREE/MAJOR: Associate in Health Science/Nursing

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Dr. Lynn Lewis, Dean, Health Education Division, Tri-County Technical College, POB 587, Hwy 76, Pendleton, SC 29670. CVTR’s can be obtained from your health science technology instructor or go to www.tctc.edu and click on High School Connection, then TAP, then Teacher Recommendation Forms. Scroll down to the Medical courses.

PRACTICAL NURSING

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: As a student in Practical Nursing (PNR), you will study human anatomy, legal and ethical aspects of nursing and nursing processes. As a PNR graduate, you will work under the direction of registered nurses, doctors or dentists to perform a variety of duties.

The Practical Nursing program is completed in two semesters and one summer term and prepares graduates for employment as beginning-level licensed nurses under the direction of a professional nurse or physician. This program is approved by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina and is accredited by the National League for Nursing. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam to be licensed as Practical Nurses.

Contact the Admissions Office for specific prerequisite program requirements so that you may be placed on the Complete List as soon as possible once you have graduated from high school. Once you are placed on the Complete List, you will be eligible to start program classes with the next available class, as long as there is space available.

IF YOU'VE COMPLETED OR ARE NOW TAKING THESE HIGH SCHOOL COURSES:

Health Science Technology I and II

YOU CAN EARN TAP CREDIT FOR ONE OF THESE TCTC COURSES:

Medical Terminology (AHS 102), OR

Medical Vocabulary/Anatomy and Physiology (AHS 104)

(NOTE: TAP credit for these courses would not count as credit toward completion of the PNR program; however, you would receive the hours of additional credit on your college transcript.)

DIPLOMA: Practical Nursing

# Procedures for applying for TAP credit for ENG 155 are documented in the Arts and Sciences Division section of this handbook.

MEDICAL ASSISTING

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: As a student in the Medical Assisting diploma program, you would develop knowledge of how to function as a member of a health care delivery team. Administrative duties would include scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, and performing basic secretarial skills and medical transcription. Clinical duties include taking patient histories and vital signs, performing first aid and CPR, preparing patients for procedures, and assisting the physician with examinations and treatments.

IF YOU’VE COMPLETED OR ARE NOW TAKING THESE HIGH SCHOOL COURSES:

Health Science Technology I and II

YOU CAN EARN TAP CREDIT FOR THIS TCTC COURSE:

Medical Vocabulary/Anatomy and Physiology (AHS 104)

WHEN YOU COMPLETE THESE PROCEDURES (You must have senior standing):

1. Have a Competency Verification/Teacher Recommendation (CVTR) form completed by your health science technology instructor to verify the appropriate competencies and send to Ms. Kaye Bathe, Program Coordinator of Medical Assisting, Health Education Division, Tri-County Technical College, POB 587, Hwy. 76, Pendleton, SC 29670. CVTR’s can be obtained from your health science technology instructor or go to www.tctc.edu and click on High School Connection, then TAP, then Teacher Recommendation Forms. Scroll down to the Medical courses.

2. Pass a written TAP exam with a grade of “C” or better in Medical Vocabulary/Anatomy and Physiology.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY AT TCTC AFTER EARNING TAP CREDIT*:

GENERAL EDUCATION

MAT 155 Contemporary Mathematics PSY 103 Human Relations

#ENG 155 Communications I BIO 110 General Anatomy and Physiology

MAJOR COURSES

AHS 105 Medical Ethics/Law

MED 103 Medical Assisting Introduction

MED 104 Medical Assisting Administrative Procedures

MED 107 Medical Office Management

MED 114 Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures

MED 115 Medical Office Lab Procedures I

MED 116 Medical Office Lab Procedures II

MED 117 Clinical Practice

MED 118 Pharmacology for the Medical Assistant

* Assumes maximum credit for the TCTC course listed above.

# Procedures for applying for TAP credit for ENG 155 are documented in the Arts and Sciences Division section of this handbook.

DIPLOMA: Medical Assisting

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Ms. Kaye Bathe, Department Head, Medical Assisting, at 646-1352, or toll free in the 864 area code: 1-866-269-5677, ext. 1352. CVTR’s can be obtained from your health science technology instructor or go to www.tctc.edu and click on High School Connection, then TAP, then Teacher Recommendation Forms. Scroll down to the Medical Vocabulary/Anatomy and Physiology (AHS 104).