Health Science Program Advising Packet

All General Education courses will remain good for life, while all other courses – science, occupational, ALHS, etc. – will be good for 10 years (120 months) at time of entry into the health science program. Additionally, all courses must be valid on the first day of program if selected for a competitive program. For some competitive admission programs, there are 1-year expiration dates on program classes taken prior to program acceptance. These courses must be completed within 12-months prior to the first day of the competitive program. The 1-year expiration begins from the time the grade is earned.

To progress in any health science program, students must be unconditionally accepted to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. All students must be in "good academic standing" with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College by the first day of program classes. Students on academic warning, probation, or suspension cannot be enrolled in classes for a competitive admissions program without approval by the Dean of Health Sciences. For most allied health programs, clinical experience is required to complete a program, and students must meet all clinical requirements defined by the clinical facility. No student will be denied admissions to a program due to these requirements; however, the clinical partner requirement may prevent a student from completing the program. Clinical requirements may include, but not limited to, some or all of the following: American Heart Association Provider CPR certification, physical examination or proof of ability to perform required duties, Tuberculin skin test, up-to-date immunizations, mandatory vaccinations, and/or titers. A criminal background check and drug screen are required prior to performing the clinical rotation. Students unable to meet clinical requirements may not be able to graduate from the program. Alternate clinical locations may not be offered or available if a student is unable to meet clinical requirements.

Communication with health science faculty and staff will be through your student email account. If you prefer to use an email address other than your Wiregrass student email, you will need to sign into your Wiregrass student email and REDIRECT all email addresses to your preferred email address. In order to receive important school, financial aid, or emergency announcements, it is VERY important that you use your Wiregrass email or REDIRECT your Wiregrass email to your personal email.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is committed to providing quality training and clinical experiences for students enrolled in the health science programs offered at the College. It is the goal of the College to provide trained and qualified students for clinical rotations who meet the needs and requirements of participating clinical affiliates. A vital part of this collaboration is to assure students have met the screening requirements to prepare them for clinical rotations at various clinical affiliates who serve our region.

Students enrolled in many of the health science programs at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College are required to complete drug screening and national criminal background checks as directed by the clinical sites. Students are responsible for all fees associated with the drug and alcohol screening and criminal background reports. The drug screen and background fees are attached to an occupational course and are charged to the student as part of tuition and fees. The cost is approximately $100.00 and may change without notice. Information on the procedures to order background and drug screens will be provided to students after the 4th day of class.

Students enrolled in health science programs where a clinical site has required drug screens must have the following screening: 10-panel + Oxycodone + Ethanol. A positive drug screen report may prevent the student from participating in clinical rotations and a grade of W (Withdrawal) or F will be assigned to the course.

Students enrolled in health science programs where a clinical site has required a national criminal background check must have this completed prior to the beginning of clinical rotations. An unsatisfactory national criminal background check may prohibit the student’s participation in clinical rotations.

Each clinical site affiliated with the College has the right to refuse student clinical privileges at their facility based on the results of the criminal background check. The inability to resolve denials could prevent the student from participating in clinical rotations and a grade of W (Withdrawal) or F will be assigned to the course. If the student is unable to attend clinical rotations, he/she will be unable to complete the clinical competencies of the course and will not be eligible to continue in the program.

Acceptance in a clinical rotation does not guarantee the student will be eligible to work in field or test for licensure within that field.

A more thorough policy will be provided upon entering a formal program.

Each clinical site affiliated with the College requires validation of certain immunizations, vaccinations, and screening such as, but not limited to, Tuberculin Skin test, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Varicella (Chicken Pox), Tdap, Hepatitis B Series, Seasonal Influenza Vaccination, HBV Vaccination, COVID-19 vaccination, and/or titers. The College has no control over a clinical agency's health standards for students in a clinical program. Students are required to provide proof of completion of all clinical requirements. Students unable to meet clinical requirements may not be able to graduate from the program. Alternate clinical locations may not be offered or available if a student is unable to meet clinical requirements. More information will be provided to the student after the 4th day of class.

Students accepted into formal programs must provide proof of American Heart Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care providers. This certification can be earned through taking ALHS 1040 Intro to Healthcare. Wiregrass also offers Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers through the Economic Development department. For more information, call 229-333-2122 or 229-468-2074.

Any student with a criminal background including a felony or misdemeanor may be denied privileges to perform clinical rotations in any of the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s clinical rotation sites. This decision is made by the clinical facilities.

Should the student’s clinical rotation be denied by available clinical sites, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College recommends that the student withdraw from the program of study or the student will receive a grade of F for the course.

Any student with a criminal background including a felony or misdemeanor may be delayed or denied taking their certification/licensure examination.

Any student with a criminal background, who is granted the privileges to perform clinical rotations, completes the allied health program, and successfully passes the certification/licensure examination may not be able to gain employment at a healthcare facility. Employment is at the discretion of the hiring facility.

The curricula for the programs in the allied health department are continuously changing to keep up with industry needs and standards. We will do our best to update this packet; however, it is impossible to keep print materials 100% current with the constant changes. The information on the College website will always be current as we know it.

If a student chooses to repeat an already successfully completed course, it is the student’s responsibility to confirm with financial aid that the course will be covered OR the student must pay for the course out-of-pocket.

The highest course attempt will be calculated in the GPA for competitive admission programs.

Courses that fulfill core area requirements, as recognized by TCSG, may be substituted for evaluation for those courses required for program entry during the competitive admission selection process.

Completion of the HESI Admission Assessment Exam (HESI A2), an assessment tool used to evaluate prospective students and their potential for successful program completion, is required for consideration of acceptance into most of the allied health programs (Registered Nursing, Practical Nursing, and Radiologic Technology).

All applicants must complete these designated sections: Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge and Grammar, Anatomy & Physiology, Learning Profile & Personality Style, and Critical Thinking. Applicants are encouraged to complete an Anatomy and Physiology (or equivalent) course prior to taking the examination. Also, a study guide is available through Elsevier.

Each program utilizes the results of the HESI A2 exam in a way which best meets the needs of the specific program. Please consult with your Academic Advisor, Program Faculty, or the Allied Health Advising Packet for program specific information.

HESI exam scores must meet the following guidelines by application deadline. Applicants have three (3) attempts to complete the HESI A2 Exam within a 2 year (24-month) time frame, with the highest score used for program selection. The scores are valid for two (2) years post examination date. Scores must be valid at the application deadline.

Applicants need to contact Wiregrass Testing Center for cost information and to schedule the HESI Admission Assessment Exam.

The HESI A2 Exam must be completed at Wiregrass and prior to the application deadline. HESI scores are NOT rounded.