Download COA’s program comparison grid (PDF)

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)

Graduates are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). RNs provide and coordinate patient care. They also educate patients and the public about health conditions and offer advice and emotional support to patients and their families. Employment opportunities are vast and include positions within acute, chronic, extended, industrial, and community healthcare facilities. Graduates may continue their education at a variety of transfer programs toward the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Licensed Practical Nursing/Associate Degree Nursing Option (LPN/ADN)

This option is only for currently Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) who desire to advance to an Associate Degree in Nursing. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a Registered Nurse. See ADN for full description.

Human Services Technology (HST)

The Human Services Technology curriculum prepares students for entry-level positions in mental health, childcare, family services, social services, rehabilitation, correction and educational agencies. They help people navigate difficult times and access additional support or resources. They may work with children and families, the elderly, people with disabilities, those with addictions or mental illness, veterans, immigrants, the homeless, and other populations in need.

Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT)

The Medical Laboratory Technology program prepares individuals to perform clinical laboratory procedures in chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and immunohematology (transfusion services). These procedures are used to maintain health and assist in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Course work includes concepts related to specimen collection, laboratory testing procedures, quality assurance, result reporting, and interpretation of findings. Graduates are eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathologist Board of Certification MLT exam. Employment opportunities include hospital laboratories, medical offices, research facilities and industry.

Phlebotomy (PBT)

The Phlebotomy program prepares individuals to obtain blood and other specimens for the purpose of laboratory analysis. Course work includes proper specimen collection and handling, communication skills, and maintaining patient data. Graduates may qualify for employment in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare settings and may be eligible for national certification as phlebotomy technicians.

Practical Nursing (PN)

Practical Nursing graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Practical nurses work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors. They participate in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care, including monitoring patient health, administering care, ensuring patient comfort, and keeping records. Employment includes long-term and skilled nursing care facilities, clinics, physicians’ offices, industry and home health agencies.

Medical Assisting Diploma

Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, health departments, hospitals and other health facilities. The diploma includes course work in scheduling, coding and processing insurance, billing, collections, computer operations; assisting with examinations, routine laboratory procedures, electrocardiography, supervised medication administration; and ethical/legal issues. Graduates may be eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certification Examination to become Certified Medical Assistants.

Medical Assisting Associate Degree

The Associate Degree in Medical Assisting offers advanced studies designed to demonstrate competence beyond the entry level diploma program. Courses in accounting, business management, patient education, drug therapy, quantitative math, healthcare billing and coding, and research and writing skills prepare graduates to advance in the profession.

Surgical Technology

The Surgical Technology curriculum prepares individuals to assist in the care of the surgical patient in the operating room and to function as a member of the surgical team. Students develop skills necessary to prepare supplies, equipment, and instruments; maintain aseptic conditions; prepare patients for surgery; and assist surgeons during operations. Employment opportunities include labor/delivery/emergency departments, inpatient/outpatient surgery centers, dialysis units/facilities, physicians’ offices, and central supply processing units.

Patient Representative

The Patient Representative Certificate curriculum prepares individuals for employment in medical and other health-related offices or in a hospital setting. Duties include written and verbal correspondence, scheduling, collecting co-payments, maintaining patient records, verifying insurance coverage and ensuring overall patient satisfaction.

Medical Office Administration

The Medical Office Administration program prepares individuals for employment in medical and other healthcare-related offices. Course work includes medical terminology; information systems; office management; medical coding, billing and insurance; legal and ethical issues; and formatting and word processing. Students learn administrative and support functions and develop skills to ensure quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems.

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. This course provides instruction in the technical procedures for preparing and dispensing drugs in retail settings under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.

Nursing Assistant I

Nursing assistants provide basic care for patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities. Graduates provide personal care and perform basic nursing skills for the elderly and other adults. Graduates who complete the course and pass the skill/competency evaluation may apply for listing as a Nurse Aide I with the North Carolina Division of Facility Services. Employment is in home health agencies, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, extended care facilities and doctors’ offices.

Nursing Assistant II

Individuals entering this program must be listed on the Nursing Assistant I Registry and have documentation of a high school diploma or GED. The Nursing Assistant II course prepares graduates to perform more complex skills for patients including training in selected advanced nursing assistant procedures. Emphasis is placed on sterile techniques, respiratory procedures, catheterizations, wound and trach care, irrigations, and ostomy care. Graduates who complete the course and pass the skill/competency evaluation may apply for listing as a Nurse Aide II with the North Carolina Board of Nursing Nurse Aide Registry.

Emergency Medical Science/Services

EMS professionals may be EMTs, AEMTs, or Paramedics. They care for sick or injured patients in the pre-hospital setting and respond to both non-emergency and emergency calls for assistance. They perform lifesaving maneuvers and provide transportation to medical facilities. Employment opportunities include EMS agencies, rescue squads, ambulance services, fire departments and hospitals, as well as educational and governmental agencies.

Healthcare Business Informatics (HBI)

Healthcare Business Informatics prepares individuals for employment as specialists in installation, data management, data archiving/retrieval, system design and support, and computer training for medical information systems. Employment opportunities include data analysts, technical support, informatics technology, appliance technicians, medical records technicians, networking and security technicians, and healthcare computer maintenance professions.

Health Information Technology (HIT)

Instructional Service Agreement (ISA) with Pitt Community College

Learn how to analyze, compile, maintain, manage and report health information. Students learn to classify, code, and index diagnoses and procedures. They also design system controls to monitor patient information security and other health information processes. Graduates may be eligible sit for certification to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Employment includes hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and a wide variety of other health agencies.

Students may earn 33 General Education credit hours at COA for transfer to Pitt Community College’s HIT program. Visit Pitt Community College for other program courses and admission requirements or contact Health Sciences admissions.

The Pitt Community College HIT program is accredited by:

The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
233 N. Michigan Ave, 21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60601-5800
Email: [email protected]

Health and Fitness Science (HFS)

Provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the fitness and exercise industry. Students will be trained in exercise science and administer basic fitness tests and health risk appraisals, teach fitness classes, and provide instruction on proper use of exercise equipment and facilities. Employment opportunities include commercial fitness clubs, wellness programs in business and industry, Parks and Recreation Departments, and other organizations implementing exercise and fitness programs.

Medication Aide

The course covers topics on medication administration for long-term care. It’s designed to meet the training requirements for a Certified Nurse Aide I to become a Medication Aide.

Cardiovascular Technician/Monitor

Prepares student to become a certified EKG (ECG) Technician/Monitor. This course covers the anatomy and physiology of the heart, principles of EKG, and dysrhythmia recognition. Students also learn to operate EKG equipment, run and mount strips, read and interpret cardiac lead tracings from 12- and 5-lead monitors, and understand the basics of capnography.

RN to BSN Step Center

The Strategic Transition in Education Progression (STEP) Center at COA helps students complete Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. It provides guidance and support throughout the process. We help recent ADN graduates and registered nurses in the community streamline the transition into RN-BSN and MSN programs based on individual needs and academic history.

This program helps working RNs who are ADN graduates complete the BSN prerequisite courses at COA efficiently and affordably. It also streamlines the selection and transition into RN-BSN programs based on each nurse’s individual needs and academic history.

Finding Your Right Career

Students are encouraged to fully explore their career options. If you’re uncertain about your college/career choice, attend one of COA’s Health Sciences orientation sessions or meet with a career counselor for career planning. Contact 252-335-0821 ext. 2304 or 2452 for more information.

Are you prepared for COA’s Health Sciences program competitive admission process?

Most of the Health Sciences programs at COA admit on a yearly basis and only admit a limited number of applicants; therefore making admission into the programs a competitive process. Applicants who have met all of the required academic and testing criteria are ranked on a numerically objective ranking system based off of the applicant’s academic performance in areas that may include the Assessment Technologies Institute Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS), the classes within the program’s curriculum and the applicant’s GPA.

Is this the “right” time for you?

The Health Science programs are academically demanding and rigorous and require a great deal of commitment. You need to ask yourself if this is the right time in your life to commit to the challenge of starting a program. Do you have reliable childcare? Do you have reliable transportation? Are you financially prepared? Do you have your family’s support?

Have you considered your family?

Support from your family and friends will be important to help you meet your study commitments and become successful in your program of study. Family members will soon learn that you may not be able to attend to all the family responsibilities you used to, including house chores, entertainment, ball games, and other activities. The adjustment can be difficult for some family members, especially young children. We encourage you to have an honest conversation with your family before accepting a seat in your program of study.

What are the keys to success for a Health Sciences program?

You need to have strong reading, writing and math skills. You must also have good study skills and maintain a high GPA. Successful students attend all classes, take good notes and are self- directed. In addition, you must adhere to the course syllabi and comply with the program’s Student Handbook.

Are you still in high school?

Health Sciences programs are often more intense and require more in-depth study than many other careers, so it’s important that you start preparing while you’re in high school. All of the competitive Health Science programs require high school Biology and some require Chemistry as well. You may also check with your high school guidance counselor to enroll in college courses while in high school.

Have you enrolled in COA?

• Take your SAT, ACT, ACCUPLACER, COMPASS or ASSET test
• Complete COA’s online application
• Maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 or higher
• Apply for financial aid
• Attend our online orientation or attend a Health Sciences and Wellness programs on-site information session
• Check program prerequisite requirements for high school level Chemistry or Biology
• Meet with our admission specialist to discuss your programs of interest