So many careers have felt the brunt of the recession, but one field that remains strong is health care. It’s true, not everyone is cut out to be a nurse, but have you considered a career in radiography,  surgical technology, or physical therapy? Many of these opportunities may be a perfect fit for you and one that will keep you coming home each week with a paycheck. Add to that the fact the baby-boomers are moving into their golden years and healthcare officials will tell you there is plenty of work to go around.

If you’ve considered, but haven’t quite made up your mind which area is the most well-suited for you, then take a look at all of the health care programs York Tech has to offer.

Medical Assisting Certificate 

The Medical Assisting Certificate Program provides high-quality educational experiences to prepare qualified graduates for entry-level medical assisting positions in physicians’ offices, clinics, or other medical settings. Administrative duties of the Medical Assistant include scheduling and receiving patients; maintaining medical records; handling telephone calls and office correspondence; filing insurance claims; and maintaining office accounts. Clinical duties include preparing patients for examination; obtaining and recording vital signs; taking medical histories; assisting with examination and treatments; collecting specimens and performing routing office laboratory procedures; providing patient instruction for diagnostic test, x-rays, and office procedures; and providing appropriate care in emergency situations.

Practical Nursing Diploma 

The Practical Nursing curriculum prepares individuals with the knowledge and skills to provide nursing care to children and adults. Students will participate in assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care. Licensed Practical Nurse students are also required to maintain a grade of 80 or above in every core nursing class before enrolling for the following semester. Graduates of the program will be eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. LPNs enjoy working in hospitals, rehabilitation/long term care/home health care facilities, clinics, and physicians’ offices.

Associate Degree in Radiologic Technology

The Radiography curriculum prepares graduates to be a radiographer, a skilled health care professional who uses radiation to produce images of the human body. Course work includes clinical rotations to area health care facilities, radiographic exposure, image processing, radiographic procedures, physics, pathology, patient care and management, radiation protection, quality assurance, anatomy and physiology, and radiobiology. Graduates of accredited programs are eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ national examination for certification and registration as medical radiographers. Employment can be found in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, medical laboratories, government agencies, and industry.

Surgical Technology Diploma

Students in Surgical Technology are taught to assist in the care of surgical patients in the operating room and to function as a member of the surgical team. They will apply theoretical knowledge to the care of patients undergoing surgery and develop skills necessary to prepare supplies, equipment, and instruments; maintain aseptic conditions; prepare patients for surgery; and assist surgeons during operations.

Many graduates choose to work in areas related to surgery such as central sterile supply, private scrub, the OB department, endoscopy, or instrument sales.  Opportunities are also available to work as cell saver technicians, anesthesia technicians, veterinary assistants, oral-surgical assistants, and medical office assistants.

Pharmacy Technician Certificate

The Pharmacy Technology Program seeks to provide qualified students with the technical skills and knowledge needed to practice in a variety of pharmacy settings. Pharmacy technicians must have a broad knowledge of pharmacy practice, and be skilled in the techniques required to order, stock, package, and prepare medications.

Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists provide drugs and other health care products to patients. Pharmacy technicians may perform duties under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.  The duties of pharmacy technicians include review prescriptions or requests for refills, fill prescriptions, count, pour, measure, or mix the medication, select a container, and prepare and attach a label, price and file the prescription. In addition, the pharmacy technician takes inventory of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Pharmacy technicians work in hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, home health care pharmacies, nursing home pharmacies, clinic pharmacies, nuclear medicine pharmacies, and in-mail order prescription pharmacies.

Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for state certification after completing 1,000 work hours in a pharmacy and passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam given by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

Pre-Physical Therapy Assistant Certificate 

The Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant Certificate program is designed for students who want to complete general education requirements before transferring to an institution offering an Associate Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant.

York Technical College has a cooperative agreement to provide a 1 + 1 program in which the first year of general education is completed at York Technical College and the second year of major coursework is completed at Greenville Technical College.

Associate in Medical Laboratory Technology

The Associate in Applied Science major in Medical Laboratory Technology program is designed to prepare graduates for work in hospital laboratories, doctors’ offices, minor emergency centers, and industrial labs.

This program prepares the student to function efficiently and safely in the clinical laboratory setting. It consists of general education courses, specific MLT courses, and clinical rotations in a hospital/clinical laboratory. This diverse learning experience is designed to teach the MLT students technical and theoretical aspects of the clinical laboratory in the health care setting. Upon completion of the program, the graduate receives an Associate in Applied Science and is eligible to take The American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification exam.  Medical Laboratory Technology graduates find rewarding careers in such work environments as hospital laboratories, doctors’ offices, outpatient clinics, minor emergency centers, veterinary offices, and industrial labs.