Course Schedule
2007 - 2008 Course Schedule (PDF, 187 KB)
Course Information
- Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist (LMRT)
- Pharmacy Technician
- Physical Therapy Technician (PTT)
- Patient Care Technician (PCT)
- Vocational Nursing
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
- Electrocardiogram Technician
- Diagnostic Ultrasound Seminar
- Non-Certified Technology Seminar
Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist (LMRT)
The Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist program consists of a minimum of 132 contact hours of basic Theory: 111 contact hours of Clinical Instruction which cover 4 modalities-Chest, Skull, Extremities, and Spine, (recommended by Texas Dept. of Health) and 400 hours of clinical externship. Extra time will be provided for students who need additional laboratory experience. Students who successfully complete the course will be prepared to:
- use dark room equipment
- develop x-ray films
- use radiation accessory equipment
- use x-ray machines
- use computer and printers
- keep accurate records
- keep patient record up-dates
- use inventory procedures
- work with inventory supplies
This program, when successfully completed, will provide the student with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to take the Texas State Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist Certificate Examination for Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist. Upon passing the examination the Texas Dept. of Health will issue a license allowing the technologist to practice in Texas and other reciprocating states. Graduates will also receive a certificate of completion for Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist from Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies. Certified graduates can be employed by hospitals and x-ray clinics.
This 600-hour Pharmacy Technician program is designed to train the prospective student in competencies that should enable the graduate to successfully pass the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. The Pharmacy Technician will perform skills that include: (a) filling medications, (b) performing admixtures of I.V. and sterile compounding of solutions, (c) applying the administrative and technical aspects of a pharmacy, (d) applying terminology and medical abbreviations as they relate to pharmacy, (e) applying dosage forms and routes of administration, (f) applying pharmacy calculations, (g) applying pharmacy law, (h) applying the interpretation of medication orders and prescriptions and drug classification, (i) performing purchasing and inventory control, (j) applying computer technology and (k) identifying and describing basic anatomic and physiologic systems as they apply to medication interactions. Students successfully completing the Pharmacy Technician program will receive an authorization certificate, to write the examination for National Pharmacy Technician Certification. Graduates also receive a Certificate of Completion for Pharmacy Technician from Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies. This qualifies the graduate to work in a pharmacy.
Program completion is approx. 6 months or 24 weeks.
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Physical Therapy Technician
The Physical Therapy Technician program is designed for the prospective student to become competent in the tasks of the Physical Therapy Technician. The Physical Therapy Technician is able to assist and complement a practicing Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant in the daily routine functions found in the practice of physical therapy. Skills such as body alignment, vital signs, muscle testing, transfer techniques, therapeutic exercise, measurement and fitting of ambulatory aids are some of the requirements. Administrative aspects are also part of the program such as: terminology, management skills, billing, filling out insurance forms, charting skills and basic communicative skills. After successfully completing the program, Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies will grant a certificate of completion, as Physical Therapy Technician. This qualifies graduates to work in a health care institution, doctors clinics, and hospitals.
Program completion is approx. 4 months or 16 weeks.
The 620-hour Patient Care Technician program is designed to improve the quality of health care delivery, by training students to develop competencies that are specifically targeted to produce satisfactory health care delivery. Students, also, study ancillary care giving skills: how to reduce cost, specifics of patient care, safe clinical skills and the kind of clinical experience that will lead to competencies in EKG and Phlebotomy. The emphasis is on being able to work with new technology and perform technical skills safely and effectively. This multi-skilled program is designed to provide the student with insights on how to view other people and themselves: to respond quickly to changing work settings and to be comfortable in dealing with varied assignments. The student learns leadership skills, how to serve on a team and how to be accountable. The student deals with stress response, infection, surgical procedures, surgical procedures, nutrition, hydration, diagnostic examination, and health communication. The student studies those anatomical structures that relate to the cardiac cycle, electrical activity of the heart, patient preparation for lead placement, connecting cables to obtain the EKG and how to identify abnormal rhythms. Students study the general principles of venipuncture, blood glucose monitoring, interpretation of multiple laboratory tests, OSHA rules and regulations and clerical skills, After successfully completing this program, Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies will issue a certificate of completion that will allow the graduate to take the National Center for Competency Testing Exam for Patient Care Technician. The graduate will find job opportunities in hospitals, health clinics, doctors' offices, nursing homes and other health care institutions.
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Vocational Nursing Program
The Vocational Nursing program is an intensive 15 month certificate program that offers classroom instruction and related clinical practice in the basic areas of the nursing care of adults, mothers, children and elderly. The program is designed to prepare the student for employment in hospitals, nursing homes, etc., as a responsible health care professional, and who is also able to function as a health care team member. Opportunity is provided for the student to learn and practice nursing skills in the laboratory and clinical site. The curriculum is also desinged to assist students in their preparation for the NCLEX-PN licensing examination. Upon completion of the NCLE-PN examination, students receive a Vocational Nurse license from the Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners. Students also receive a certificate of completion from the Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies for Vocational Nursing.
The Vocational Nurse is qualified to perform those nursing dkills as required by the State. In the clinical setting the Vocational Nurse works under the supervision of physicians or registered nurses. In some instances the Vocational Nurse may perform some of the same nursing tasks as the Registered Nurse, but this does not change the qualification responsibility of the Vocational Nurse. The usual tasks of the Vocational Nurse include: Dressing of wounds, taking temperature, pulse and respiration rates, giving prescribed medications, etc.
Program completion is approx. 15 months or 55 weeks.
Please call our offices for start dates.
If you have any questions concerning our Vocational Nursing Program or would like to contact our Vocational Nursing Department, contact us via this website at Admissions or call our offices at 956-973-1945.
The Phlebotomy program is a 216-hour program. It is designed to make the student proficient in all the task areas related to phlebotomy and to prepare the student for employment possibilities in hospitals and other health care fafcilities. The graduate will be able to: 1)perform laboratory and phlebotomy skills that include phlebotomy procedures and technique; 2)identify human body systems and functions; 3)understand safety regulations; 4)work within the code of ethics and handle equipment properly.
Students who have successfully completed all facets of the program will be ready to sit for the National Center for Competency Testing Examination for Phlebotomy Technician. Graduates also receive a certificate of completion from the Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies for Phlebotomy Technician.
Program completion is approx. 3 months or 12 weeks.
Home Health Aide/Nurse Assistant (HHANA)
The HHANA Program is designed to provide the student with the academic knowledge, and practical skill and scientific background needed to serve as health-care worker. Students who complete the course work will receive a Certificate of Completion in Home Health Aide/Nurse Assistant from Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies; and will also be eligible to take the Texas Department of Human Services Examination For Nurse Aides.
The student will be able to work in Home Health Care Agencies, Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Center, Outpatient Rehab Centers, Impatient Rehab Centers, Community based Alternative Facilities come from various cultural backgrounds, age levels, abilities and disabilities, medical problems and the emotionally stressed and dying.
Some student loan funding agencies require high school diploma or a GED certificate before assisting the student financially. Check with the agency where you plan to make application for funding.
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Electrocardiogram Technician
The Electrocardiogram Technician program is designed for the student to study competencies that are used in cardiac evaluations The student studies how to identify life-threatening ECG readings, the role these play when a patient experiences cardiac arrest, to identify poor cardiac rhythm tracings and how to correct them, to provide a safe environment for a patient with a temporary cardiac pacemaker, to demonstrate correct responses to equipment alarms, to set lead placements, and to use medical terminology. Upon successful completion of this course, students will receive a certificate of completion from the Valley Grande institute for Academic Studies for Electrocardiogram Technician and be eligible to take the National Center for Competency Testing Examination. Graduates are qualified to seek employment in hospitals, doctors, clinics and other Health Care facilities.
Program completion is approx. 2 months or 8 weeks.
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Diagnostic Ultrasound Seminar
Individuals who are now working as ultrasound technicians can enroll in this seminar. This seminar is for those who (1) desire to upgrade their knowledge and understanding of recent innovations, or (2)need to complete an organized plan of studies in the area, or (3) need to broaden their scope of knowledge in specific areas of diagnostic ultrasound. The seminar is also open to other medical professionals who want to become proficient in diagnostic ultrasound.
The following is the curriculum studied showing the clock hours spent in each course. Students completing the seminar will receive a completion certificate from Valley Grande Institution for Academic Studies i Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician. Qualified graduates can seek employment with hospitals and doctors clinics.
Program completion is approx. 2 1/2 months or 10 weeks.
Please call our offices for start dates.
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Non-Certified Technology Seminar
Students who are now working as Medical Radiologic Technologists that are without certification can enroll as seminar students. This seminar is approved by the Texas Department of Health (Medical Radiologic Division) and upon completion the student will comply with Act, 2.05 (f) of the Medical Radiologic Technologist Certification Act.
Students will take the identical courses as outlined for the LMRT students (page 44 of catalog), except for the course LMRT 109 Clinical Experience. This course, LMRT 109 Clinical, is not included in this seminar. Students completing the seminar will be prepared to:
- use dark room equipment
- develop x-ray films
- use radiation accessory equipment
- use x-ray machines
- use computer and printers
- keep accurate records
- keep patient record up-dates
- use inventory procedures and work with inventory supplies
After successfully completing the seminar, graduates will receive a completion certificate as a Non-Certified Technologist in Medical Radiologic Technology from Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies as well as registration with Texas Department of Health upon application.
The length of the seminar is 243 hours. It includes the same courses as the Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist that is presently offered; but, with one exception, it excludes one course the LMRT 109 Clinical Experience.
Please call our offices for start dates.
THERE ARE ADDITIONAL COSTS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TUITION COST (books, scrubs, certifying examination fees, etc.)