WCC adding two programs, dropping one
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 25, 2009 1:46 PM
The Wayne Community College board of trustees has approved the addition of two new health-related programs, to be added over the next two years.
Board member Veda McNair, representing the curriculum committee, recommended the programs -- medical laboratory technology and pharmacy technology.
"We think both will bring positions to the community," she said.
The medical laboratory technology program prepares students to perform clinical procedures in chemistry, hematology, microbiology and immunihematology, that may be used in the maintenance of health and diagnosis or treatment of disease.
"We just think the employment opportunities will be great -- in hospitals, medial offices, industry and research facilities," Mrs. McNair said.
Plans are to introduce the program in Jan. 2011, she said.
The diploma level pharmacy technology program would be introduced in the fall semester 2010.
Designed to prepare students to assist a pharmacist with such duties as preparing prescription medications, mixing specialized medications, updating patient profiles and maintaining inventories, employment opportunities range from hospitals and nursing homes to research laboratories and wholesale drug companies.
"We have a program similar to this under continuing education but this would more adequately prepare technicians to work in the hospital setting in our area," Mrs. McNair said.
The recommendations will be submitted to the state's community college system for final approval.
Mrs. McNair also requested the deletion of another program at the college, in agricultural biotechnology.
"We began offering this program in 2008 and have only had one student to sign up," she explained. "She feels her needs can be met by another of the agricultural programs."
"We also have a biotech program (in agriculture)," added Dr. Kay Albertson, WCC president. "Students seem to be gravitating more to that."
Recommendation was to delete the agricultural biotechnology program effective with the fall semester 2010.
Agriculture is still a viable course offering, Dr. Albertson noted, especially for a region like Wayne County.
"We will be looking at other agricultural programs that we feel will be more beneficial to students in the very near future," Dr. Albertson said.