Health Sciences
Health Sciences 2 year pathway (4 semesters)
If you have a passion for caring for all people and want to provide quality of care and desire to work in a clinical and an office setting, this is the program for you!
This pathway has prerequisites. Please read the Requirements & Prerequisites information below and make sure you meet the requirements.
- Overview
- Requirements & Prerequisites
- Certifications & Certificates
- High School Credit
- Concurrent Enrollment Credit
- Explore Postsecondary & Career Opportunities
- FRCC's Technical Standards For Nurse Aide (CNA)
Overview
Students will navigate the many career pathways within the healthcare system. The Nurse Aide courses will qualify students to work in a variety of health care environments, including long-term care, hospitals and home health. Students will also learn about Medical Assisting and will be trained to work in a variety of health care settings, including medical clinics, hospitals, medical offices and in research and development for private companies.
Pathway Topics Covered:
Certified Nursing Assistant
Medical Terminology
Basic Medical Science
Medical Office Administration
Medical Office Financial Administration
Medical Assisting Laboratory
Featured Partners:
The Thompson Career Campus values partnerships with industry, business and postsecondary leaders in NOCO. These partnerships create relevant opportunities for all students to gain a competitive advantage for in-demand jobs, by cultivating professional connections and gaining advanced technical skills.
Requirements & Prerequisites
This pathway is open to students in the 11th and 12th grade. Tenth graders are considered on a case by case basis and must be 16 years old by Oct. 1st. Most local employers require applicants to be 18 years old.
Students must meet the FRCC prerequisites listed below:
- Received “C” or higher in Grade 10 Math. Students will need math skills in the following areas- measuring and understanding conversions; addition/ subtraction and multiplication/division, with “quick math” being an essential skill when making calculations during examinations, adding to medical chart data, etc.
- Received a “C” or higher in both semesters of Grade 10 or 11 English courses or qualifying Accuplacer scores.
Additional requirements:
Nurse Aide:
- Must provide proof of up-to-date immunizations, current season influenza vaccination, TB test (negative results with 2 skin tests, or 1 blood test or 1 chest x-ray), COVID-19 vaccine may be required & negative COVID-19 test results (required clinical week of Nurse Aide). The COVID vaccine is required in most facilities. Students do participate in clinical rounds at facilities that require the COVID and other vaccines.
- If a student does not have the required and recommended vaccinations could result in not participating in the clinical rounds and being withdrawn from the course.
- Students must complete a background check.
Medical Assistant:
- Students must complete/pass a background check (separate from Nurse Aide)
- Students must complete/pass a drug screen for internship placement.
Must provide proof of up-to-date immunizations, current season influenza vaccination, TB test (negative result, or 1 blood test or 1 chest x-ray completed within 6 months prior to the start of internship), COVID-19 vaccine (full series).
ID and documentation requirements. Required to apply to take the CNA State Board Exam:
- ID #1: Government-issued ID with a photo and signature ( example: valid Driver's License or permit is best, or a government issued ID, US Passport, Valid temporary resident card)
- ID #2: ID bearing same name and signature ( example: signature bearing social security card, clinic card, credit card, library card- must already have signature on the card). Evidence of legal presence in the US or ability to produce a Social Security Number and ITIN number.
- Only a government issued ID is required for a Medical Assistant.
Additional:
- FERPA transfers educational record privacy to the student once they register for FRCC classes, meaning FRCC faculty cannot discuss student progress with parents without the student present.
- Students must provide transportation to and from clinical sites.
Students should anticipate out-of-pocket costs for required scrubs uniforms, second-hand and required immunizations/TB test/COVID-19 tests required to participate. - Students should be aware this course includes sensitive and/or graphic materials.
- Students should be aware that there are physical components and demands associated with class activities, clinical experiences, and certificate/certification testing, including working in close proximity with other individuals, positioning/movement/transfer of classmates and patients, etc.
Students with high school IEPs or 504 Plans who are participating in this program, please read the information from FRCC Disability Support Services (DSS) about accommodations.
FRCC DSS department determines all accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Students in this pathway are considered college students, and therefore fall under college accommodation policies.
Please contact TCC with questions about how to apply for accommodation with FRCC DSS department.
Certifications & Certificates
Specific certifications offered during the pathway:
1st year- CPR and *CNA**
2nd year- Students have the option to complete their Medical Assisting certification in the summer post-high school graduation at FRCC (The student is responsible for tuition).
Student may also have the opportunity to work towards FRCC certificates: Medical Office Administrative Assistant (MOAA) Certificate.
*The State Board of Nursing requires all CNA candidates must meet the following in order to sit for the certification exam:
-Must be at least 16 years old
-Completed and passed FRCC courses NUA 101 & NUA 170
- Submit 2-3 secured and verifiable documents proving your identity, in accordance with HB 06S-1009.
**Industry Certification in BOLD meets Graduation Guidelines for College & Career-Readiness for English & Math.
High School Credit
Students earn 1.5 credits each semester. This pathway issues the following high school credits:
Please note none of the courses offered at TCC are currently approved by the NCAA.
All students who earn a grade of C- or better on their TCC courses meet the graduation guidelines for college & career-readiness for both English & Math.
1st Semester (Year one of pathway) |
.5 Biology or Anat/Phys I Sci, 1.0 CTE elective |
2nd Semester (Year one of pathway) |
.5 Biology or Anat/Phys II Sci, 1.0 CTE elective |
3rd Semester (Year two of pathway) |
.5 English-Grade Level, 1.0 CTE elective |
4th Semester (Year two of pathway) |
.5 English-21st Speaking Skills, 1.0 CTE elective |
Concurrent Enrollment Credit
All students in this pathway are required to register for the concurrent enrollment credit. The Health Science pathway allows students to earn FREE Tuition Community College credit for the work they complete at Thompson Career Campus.* This pathway features the following college credits:
1st Semester (Year one of pathway) |
NUA 1001- Nurse Aide Health Care Skills (4 credits), NUA 1070- Nurse Aide Clinical Experience (1 credit) |
2nd Semester (Year one of pathway) |
MAP 1010- Medical Office Administration (4 credits), HPR 1038- Intro. to Med. Terms (1 credit), HPR 1011- CPR for Professionals (0.5 credit) |
3rd Semester (Year two of pathway) |
HPR 1032- Disease Process & Treatment (5 credits), MAP 1050- Pharmacology for MA’s (3 credits) |
4th Semester (Year two of pathway) |
MAP 2038- Med. Assist. Lab (4 credits), MAP 2040- Med. Assist. Skills (4 credits), MAP 2069- National Exam Review (1 credit) |
Are these classes considered Guarantee Transfer college credit? No. Students are encouraged to connect with their preferred college/university advisor to determine the transferability of college credit.
*If the student receives a grade of 'F', 'W' or 'Incomplete' on their college transcript, it could impact future eligibility for financial aid. Students are encouraged to connect with their preferred college/university to learn about the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP).
What is SAP? Learn more here
Summer Internship Course- Students in their second year of the Medical Assisting who want to earn the FRCC certificate and take the national exam Medical Assistant exam will need to take the summer internship course. Details will be shared with students. Students MAY be responsible for the cost of tuition.
Explore Postsecondary & Career Opportunities
Learn more about all the FRCC Health Science degree and certificate programs.
Northern Colorado Health Sector Partnership- YouTube Channel- Watch videos about current in-demand health care careers.
Find college and career opportunities on your student Xello account.