Rhodes State Launches Four New Certificates to Advance Healthcare Personnel

Rhodes State College is working to improve the health of our communities by offering advanced training of healthcare personnel. The College’s Division of Health Sciences and Public Service has announced the launch of four new certificate programs: Cardiographic Technician, Mammography, Computed Tomography, and Medical Assisting. 

            The Cardiographic Technician Certificate is a nine credit hour, one semester program designed to prepare students for assisting physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac diseases. Technicians will be trained to use a variety of instruments and methods to perform diagnostic procedures such as Holter monitoring, stress testing, and electrocardiography. These skills can provide flexible workplace options and experiences for certificate holders. Upon completion of this certificate, students will be eligible to take the Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) examination.

            “Cardiographic Technicians operate equipment that records and measures heart activity,” said Angela Heaton, Dean of Health Sciences and Public Service. “If a student is particularly interested in heart healthcare, this program is a great choice.”

            Similarly, the Mammography Certificate (four credit hours) and Computed Tomography (CT) Certificate (five credit hours) programs are designed to give radiographers advanced training for specialized care. The Mammography Certificate program provides the knowledge necessary to become a Registered Mammography Technologist. Radiographers will come away with didactic knowledge and basic skills in the practice of mammography, which can be used to fulfill the structured education requirement for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) registry examination in mammography.

              The Computed Tomography Certificate program will offer technologists the breadth of knowledge necessary to fulfill the structured education requirement for the ARRT computed tomography certification exam and includes clinical hours, which will prepare students with on-the-job practice in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic imaging centers. According to Heaton, both the CT and Mammography Certificates are “a great resource for registered radiographers who are looking for advanced certification.”

            Rhodes State has also refreshed the Medical Assisting program to move from an associate’s degree to a certificate. The certificate enables students to receive a first job or promotion, while many hospitals have attractive continuing education packages to enable the clinician to pursue advanced degrees in healthcare.  Rhodes State is partnering with OhioMeansJobs – Allen County for funding for this program in particular.  Significant funding is available to those residents who qualify.  There are currently immediate openings at local healthcare employers

            “Employment of Medical Assistants is projected to grow by 19% from 2019-2029, much faster than the average for all occupations,” Heaton said. “There is a wealth of opportunity for Medical Assistants in the Rhodes State College service region, because medical facilities realize how useful medical assistants can be due to their wide array of skills.”

Individuals interested in these healthcare certificates can find further information at rhodesstate.edu or by contacting the Rhodes State Admissions Office at enroll@RhodesState.edu or (419) 995-8320.