Health Science Education Department

Department Chair: Patrice Case, MSN, RN-BC  

 

  

 

   The Health Science Education Department offers a variety of degree and certificate programs in Nursing and Allied Health. Click below for more information about our:   

                         


 

 

 

 

   

 I. Nursing - RN Programs: 

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the volume of applications for the Nursing program, only applicants who live or work in Somerset or Hunterdon County are eligible for admission at this time.

 The Health Science Education Department at Raritan Valley Community College was originally organized in 1969 as the Nursing Department and graduated its first class in 1972.  Since its inception, the nursing program has been accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, who can be contacted at the following address: 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850 Atlanta, Georgia  30326,(www.nlnac.org) and accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, who may be contacted at the following address: PO Box 45010, Newark, NJ 07101( http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nursing ). RVCC has developed University Center - articulation agreements with schools such as Kean University and Rutgers University, among others, which allow students to easily transfer credits and obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from those institutions. Click here to read about the University Center here at RVCC, including the AAS-BSN Dual Admissions Articulation Program with Kean University.  To read specifics about Kean University's AAS-BSN Dual Admission Articulation Program click  here.  Click    here    to read more about the Nursing Program's Philosophy, Framework, and Goals.   

 

 The Health Science Education Department offers two routes to prepare students for a career as a Registered Nurse, both leading to an AAS in Nursing. The Generic program is the entry-level route for students without prior nursing education, available as a Day or Evening/Weekend option. The Practical Nurse-Associate Degree (PNAD) program is the bridge option for students who have completed a Licensed Practical Nurse program, graduated the LPN program with a 3.25 GPA or higher,  and are currently licensed and working as LPNs in New Jersey. The PNAD program operates primarily as a Day program. LPNs who do not qualify for the PNAD program may apply to the Generic program, and have the option to pursue Advanced Standing. To be eligible for Advance Standing, you must live or work in Somerset or Hunterdon County.  Contact Nadine Larson for more information about Advanced Standing, or other admission questions that are not answered by the information and downloadable packets below:    

Once admitted to the clinical nursing program, all students must comply with the Health Maintenance Policy

 

Information for current RN Students:

  The Nursing Program Policy Manual can be downloaded from here    

         Directions to Clinical Agnecies     

Nursing Information Sessions  

Students must attend a Nursing Information Session to be eligible to apply to the clinical Nursing program. These sessions are offered once per month in the fall and spring semesters. Students can attend a Nursing Information Session at any time. Attendance is recommended during the semester before finishing prerequisites to ensure enough time to complete any outstanding requirements. A Nursing Information Session is the only place a student may obtain a clinical application. The session is approximately 90 minutes. No confirmations will be sent for RSVP'S! The following sessions are scheduled:  

  •  Monday, May 7th, 2012, 6:30pm, Grand Conference Rooms A & B
  •   FALL 2012 Nursing Information Session dates will be posted by the end of August 2012. Nursing information sessions are not held during the summer months.

 To RSVP for any Nursing Information Session, sign up in the Nursing Office (H-200 or H-220) or send an email with "Will Attend Nursing Information Session" in the subject line. NO confirmations will be sent for RSVP's - please consider yourself registered upon doing so.

Click here to view a power point presentation about the RVCC Nursing Program

ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Information

    ATI TEAS testing that is offered at RVCC is for RVCC Pre-nursing students ONLY

 The ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is the required nursing entrance test for admission. Information about the test content and study materials can be found at  www.atitesting.com . The test covers Reading, Math, Science, and English.  

 The overall score (all 4 sections) and the Reading and English section scores are used in the RVCC admission process. There is no minimum score required for application, but TEAS scores do affect the total admission score. For RVCC admission, students can test once every 4 months, either at RVCC or another location. We are currently administering TEAS version V. If the test has been completed elsewhere, scores may be submitted for review. For 2012 admission, TEAS results will only be accepted from tests taken since September 2010. TEAS test dates are posted on a month to month basis only - the day of the current months' test date is when the next months TEAS testing date will be posted. Click here to register** for Spring 2012 TEAS date(s) below.        

**Please be aware that you will NOT be considered registered for any TEAS test dates if you do not completely fill out the information that is needed when you are redirected to the registration area of this website. Once TEAS dates are full, it will be noted below.  You will get an email NO LATER than 5-7 days before the TEAS test date to confirm your registration. If instructed to do so, you MUST reply back to that email in order to be registered.

  • Tuesday, May 15th Start time 8:30am Room W214  Full as of 5/1/12 at 830am!!
  • Wednesday, May 16th Start time 8:30am Room W214   Full as of 4/23/12 at 2:00pm!!
  • Email Nadine Larson @ nlarson2@raritanval.edu to find out if there are any cancellations for the above dates
  • Students can choose to search TEAS Version V offsite testing, with all four parts of the test (Reading, English, Math, & Science) at www.atitesting.com. If TEAS are taken offsite, the results must be submitted with the clinical application for review!!!!
  • Fall 2012 ATI TEAS test dates for RVCC student registration will  be posted on this website by the end of August 2012. ATI TEAS testing is not held at RVCC during the summer months.
** No student will be permitted to test after start time. Students are expected to show up at least 10 minutes before testing time. Students must be able to log into their RVCC account on campus, along with logging into ATI without issues. Students who can not log into these domains will not be permitted to test.

  Top of Page

            
Raritan Valley Community College is making every attempt to provide a continuation of the Practical Nursing program that was offered by Somerset County Technology Institute. However, the RVCC program must be sanctioned and accredited by the New Jersey State Board of Nursing, who at this time has a moratorium in effect on the acceptance of new applications for any LPN programs. Therefore, RVCC is not accepting applications from potential LPN students at this time. We encourage you to explore the many other certificate programs available at RVCC, including Medical AssistantMedical CodingFitness Specialist, and Ophthalmic Science.
          
 If you would like to be put on a list to receive information about the LPN program when it becomes available, clickhere          

     

             
  
  

  
 
    

 Associate Degree (AS) - These programs award an Associate of Science Degree and prepare a student for transfer to a 4-year college or university.  

  Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) - These programs award an Associate of Applied Science Degree and offer the dual advantage of preparing students for immediate employment while simultaneously allowing them to accumulate a significant number of transferable credits.  

 The Associate of Applied Science Degree program in Health Information Technology (HIT) prepares students for careers in health information management.  The Associate Degree Program at Raritan Valley Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) (http://cahiim.org) Health Information Technicians are employed in hospitals, long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, large outpatient and ambulatory care centers, as well as physician offices, health insurance companies and local, state and federal health agencies.For more information, contact: Ellen Shakespeare    

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected  to increase  by 20 percent, much faster that the average for all occupation through 2018, because of rapidly increasing scrutiny by health insurance companies, regulators, courts, and growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures.  In addition, with the increasing use of electronic health records, more technicians will be needed to complete the new responsibilities associated with electronic data management.

Please visit www.hicareers for more information on this career path!

           Ophthalmic Science         

    

    
 
    

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dual-Degree Programs       

      Students enrolled in these joint health care programs attend classed at both Raritan Valley Community College and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey following a prepared curriculum approved by the two institutions. For specific information regarding UMDNJ's tuition, policies and procedures, please visit: http://shrp.umdnj.edu/

Certificate Programs 

 Designed to Provide Specialized Expertise 

Do you already have experience in either Information Technology or the healthcare field? There are some exciting new roles being created in Health Information Technology (HIT) to help health providers of various types implement the Electronic Health Record (EHR) by 2014, as mandated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The HHS reports that the national Health IT website that, "Estimates based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Education, and independent studies indicate a shortfall over the next five years of approximately 50,000 qualified health IT workers required to meet the needs of hospitals and physicians as they move to adopt electronic health care systems." For more information, contact: Ellen Shakespeare   

 

  •        Medical Coding   

The Medical Coding Certificate prepares students to determine appropriate medical codes, process coding information and maximize medical reimbursement.  As the health care system grows in complexity and advances in medicine and technology continue, hospitals and physicians who want to remain in the competitive health care arena will become increasingly pressed to ensure that they are in compliance with medical coding guidelines and insurance and billing procedures.  To this end, qualified medical coders will continue to be significant professionals in a wide range of health care settings. The certificate can be completed within one calendar year. Graduates will be prepared to sit for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) certification exam to become a Certified Coding Associate (CCA). For more information, contact: Ellen Shakespeare    

The Medical Assistant Certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 727/210-2350 Graduates will be able to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam offered by the American Medical Technologists. For more information, contact Martha Logan-Bieler      

         

         

         

         

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Non-Certificate Courses       

After course is completed, students are eligible to sit for certifying exams.  

 

 Allied Health Non-Credit Courses   

 Courses prepare students for employment opportunities in a variety of areas.   

      Please find semester schedules here: Allied Health Continuing Education      

  •   HP111 CPR/AED Cert- American Heart Association   
  •   HP112 CPR/AED Cert- American Red Cross   
  •   HP113 Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, OCD, & Related Disorders  
  •   HP114 Home-Maker Home Health Aide 10-hour Module  
  •   HP211 ECG Analysis and Basic Arrhythmia and 12 Lead Placement  
  •   HP212 ECG Technician National Certification  
  •   HP311 Pharmacy Technician  
  •   HP411 Phlebotomy Lab Assistant  
  •   HP511 Clinical Research Associate and Clinical Research Coordinator  
  •   HP512 Clinical Data Management in the Pharmaceutical Industry  
  •   HP513 Interpretation of Laboratory Values in Clinical Trials  
  •   HP514 Supervisory Training for Healthcare Personnel  
  •   HP515 Clinical Research Wrap-Up  
  •   HP516 Clinical Trials Assistant  
  •   HP611 Dental Radiology   
  •   HP612 Dental Assisting National Board Prep  
  •   HP711 Ophthalmic Science State Board Math Review  
  •   HP712 Ophthalmic Science State Board Licensing Exam Review  
  •   HP713 Ophthalmic Science State Board Practical Review  

                For additional health-related academic programs visit the Science department         

       Top of Page          

 

              


Full-Time Faculty:
Nursing     

Fitness/Wellness

Ophthalmic Science

Health Information Technology

Medical Assistant

    

Allied Health Programs

Professor Emeritus: Nursing

    

Adjunct Faculty and Staff:      

   
Nursing
  • Megan Allen
  • Jodi Castiglia
  • Shawn Frame
  • Geraldine Gibbons
  • Heather Heithoff
  • Peter Longa
  • Nicole Rolston
  • Kathleen Sackett
  • Hilda Sciortino
  • Lina Shi
  • Vanessa Smith
  • Nancy Thompson
    

Ophthalmic Science

Health Information Technology

  • Penny Del Moral 
  •  Patty Gillespie        
  • Christine Meacham 
  • Chintha Ranasinghe 
  • Diana Skarbek 
  •   Marsha Faden 
  • Steven Faden 
  • Richard Wicker 
  • D. Scott Carey 
  • Cynthia Korman 

Fitness/Wellness

  Allied Health

  • Constance Archibald, CNA 

Support Staff  
         Top of Page         
This page is maintained by Kathleen Michell and Nadine Larson