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Page last updated August 10, 2011

Health Sciences Program Entry Level Career Training

Health Sciences Institute FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I register for Workforce Development & Continuing Education (WD&CE) Health Sciences Institute Classes?

A. Students can register for Health Sciences Institute classes in a variety of ways:

a). At Customer Service Desks or at any of the Admissions Offices, unless they are using Health Sciences' Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) option. See our WD&CE FAQs page for Customer Service locations or call Customer Service at 240-567-5188.
b). Web Registration at http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/wdce/registerops.html, some exceptions apply such as if you have a tuition waiver, are using the Tuition Installment Plan, or are under 16 years of age. See our WD&CE FAQ's page for specific information about tuition waivers.
c). Fax Registration: Fax completed registration form with payment information to 240- 567-8977
d). Mail Registration: Mail completed form with payment to Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville, Maryland 20850

Q. Do I have to register in person?

A. You do not have to register in person, unless you are signing up for Health Science's Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) option.

Q. What payment methods are available to students?

A. Montgomery College accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, personal checks, and Money Orders.
***Please note that Cash payments are only accepted at a Cashier's Office on the Germantown, Rockville, or Takoma Park/ Silver Spring campus cashiers offices between 8:30am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) is available for some Health Science Programs, see the listing below for qualified programs participating in (TIP).

Q. What is Health Science's Tuition Installment Plan (TIP)?

A. Tuition Installment Plan allows students to pay in three installments for certain Health Science Programs. Pay one-third of class total as a down payment, then pay the balance in two payments before the class ends. There is a form to fill out for this service, as well as a $35.00 fee.
To sign up for this Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) students must first register, in person, at Admissions or Customer Service at Takoma Park/ Silver Spring Campus, Rockville Campus, or Germantown Campus, then go to the campus cashiers office to sign a Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) form and pay the $35.00 set-up fee. Note: Cashiers office hours are 8:30am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.

Q. What programs accept the Tuition Installment Plan (TIP)?

A. Tuition Installment Plan (TIP)is available for the following programs:
TIP is for classroom and clinical together for those programs listed below marked with an *

• *Certified Nursing Assistant: Classroom and Clinical
• *Medicine Aide: Classroom and Clinical
• *Nurse Refresher: Classroom and Clinical
• Sterile Processing Technician: Course AHT021
• *Dental Assistant: Course HHS003
• *EKG Technician: Course HHS051
• *Pharmacy Technician Career Training: Course HHS002
• *Phlebotomy Technician: Course HHS034
• *Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Aide Training: Course HHS041

Q. When is the first payment due if you have signed up for the Tuition Installment Plan (TIP)?

A. Students must pay one third of the total tuition and fees at the time of registration, then pay the balance in two payments before class ends.

Q. Are textbooks included in the WD&CE Health Sciences tuition?

A. Textbooks are usually included in the tuition and will be handed out in class. Refer to the course description for textbook procurement details.

Q. Are scholarships or financial aid available?

A. Workforce Development & Continuing Education programs are non-credit courses and do not qualify for federal student loans.

• However, assistance may be available from the following agency: Montgomery Works - for displaced workers (301) 929-6880
• Pending available funding, WD&CE may have a limited number of career related scholarship opportunities avaliable. See WD&CE Scholarships for more information about the scholarships and the deadline for applying.

Q. What are the prerequisites for WD&CE Health Science classes?

A. Some classes require a student to pass the Math and Reading tests, and fulfill other qualifications. The classes listed below have specific prerequisies. For additional information call 240-567-5508.

• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)   Prerequisite: Pass Mandatory Math and Reading tests.
• Sterile Processing Prerequisite: Pass Mandatory Reading test.
• Medicine Aide    Prerequisite: Pass Mandatory Math and Reading tests, and the student must bring a letter of recommendation from their employer.
• Medicine Aide Update  Prerequisite: Must have GNA (Geriatric Nursing Assistant) and CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) current certifications, have a letter of recommendation from their employer, and bring a letter of employment (at least one full year) from the Director of the Nursing from your current employment at a long-term care facility (not a group home, assisted living or agency)..
• Nurse Refresher  Prerequisite: No Math or Reading test required, but must have possessed a U.S. nursing license at one time in order to attend clinical.

Q. Are there any other special requirements that students must meet to participate in WD&CE Health Science classes or clinical practice?

A. Yes. Some courses may have additional requirements, see below. For more information you may call 240-567-5508.

Students must understand and meet all requirements and/or standards imposed by recognized professional societies and all contract requirements imposed on College students by the institution or agency where the clinical practice is to occur.

• Must understand and be prepared to meet all requirements for participation in certain clinical courses involving hospital or clinical practice. These requirements may include the passing of an appropriate health examination and tests per CDC guidelines, e.g.: (1) complete blood count; (2) urinalysis; (3) a complete hepatitis B vaccination series (series of three or waiver); (4) annual TB screening; (5) MMR vaccinations(s) or positive titer(s); and (6) Varicella vaccination or a Varicella titer.
• Must understand that drug testing and criminal background checking of nursing and health science students may be required by the facilities which are the sites for the clinical learning experience of nursing and health science students. These are conducted by an outside agency and may be at the student's expense and must occur before a nursing and health science student can be placed at a facility for his or her clinical experience. The results of drug tests and criminal background checks will be available for review by designated personnel in each clinical facility and the clinical facility has the right to refuse admission for students based on such review.

Q. What campus sites offer the Math and Reading tests?

A. The Math and Reading tests will be taken at the class orientation location before the class begins. Dates and times are listed in the brochure.

Q. Where will students apply for the state GNA (Geriatric Nursing Assistant) exam?

A. Classroom instructors give students the geriatric assistant licensing exam application after successful completion of the class. Students should fill out applications, and a money order for $95.00.to the Red Cross. Instructor will collect these and send the completed applications to the Red Cross.

Q. When is the N/CLEX Review course offered?

A. An N/CLES Review course is offered in May and December. This is 100 hours in length and offered at Holy Cross Hospital. Check the schedule for more details.

Q. How long are the WD&CE Health Science classes?

A. Most WD&CE Health Science classes are 10 to 14 weeks long.

Q. Do WD&CE Health Science programs offer weekend classes?

A. Yes, there are some Saturday and Sunday classes. Check the schedule for class dates and times.

Q. Do WD&CE Health Science classes provide job placement or job opportunities?

A. Workforce Development & Continuing Education programs have no formal job placement programs; however, faculty and staff assist students when informed about job openings. In addition, in-class courses include résumé assistance, speakers, some interviewing techniques, etc. Some classes have Human Resources Department speakers come to class.

Q. What is the starting salary for students graduating from WD&CE Health Sciences programs?

A. The starting salary for WD&CE Health Science graduates varies by program and employment qualifications. Graduating students can get, but are not limited to, $18,000 to $22,000 per year for entry-level positions. For CNA (Certified Nursing Assistants) the salary ranges from $9 to $11 per hour.

Q. What is the employment rate for graduates of WD&CE Health Sciences Institute programs?

A. Typically 60% to 80% of our graduates get jobs.

Q. Is there a Medical Assistant Program?

A. Not at this time.

Q. Is there a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) Program?

A. Not at this time.

These programs and courses are offered in a variety of healthcare fields and are designed to lead to entry-level employment in the designated field. Specially designed curricula offer practical, real world training to build professional skills in a variety of healthcare and human services fields. Course offerings may change from session to session, depending on community need or availability of resources.

Course Offerings Include: Certified Nursing Assistant Dental Assistant Career Training EKG Technician Emergency Medical Technician First Responder Medicine Aide Pharmacy Technician Phlebotomy Technician Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Aide Sterile Processing Technician

For more information regarding Health Sciences Programs please visit our FAQs  page , or the Health Sciences Courses Brochure in pdf format, or view the current schedule of classes.