SCC’s Health Sciences programs have a proven track record of producing successful graduates, year-after-year, who earn 100 percent pass rates on state boards, licensure, registry and certifications exams which all healthcare professionals must successfully pass before beginning work in their profession. With 100 percent pass rates from cohorts in SCC’s Emergency Medical Services, Expanded Duty Dental Assisting, Medical Laboratory Technology, Nursing, Patient Care Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care, and Surgical Technology programs, the 2011-2012 school year has been no exception.
“These outstanding student achievements are a testament to SCC’s commitment to providing the real-world and hands-on training our students need to be successful in the field,” said Dr. Rita Melton, SCC’s dean of health and human services. “Our pass rates prove that we’re meeting industry standards and exceeding state and national averages. Not only does this benefit our students, this also directly benefits our community as these students are employed in local hospitals and healthcare facilities.”
SCC continuously exceeds state and national pass rates for health services certification exams. For instance,
- On the National Surgical Technology Certification Exam, the 2011 national pass rate was 58.8 percent versus SCC’s 100 percent.
- The national average for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam is 92.09 percent and the state average is 94.01 percent. SCC’s nursing program has experienced 100 percent pass rates for the past four cohorts.
- Nationally, 71 percent of students taking the written exam for the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) pass on the first attempt versus SCC’s 78 percent. After three attempts on the exam, the national pass rate is 79 percent and SCC’s is 90 percent. The Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for EMS Professions recognizes a “first time” pass if successful within three attempts.
- SCC’s Certified Respiratory Therapist students have a pass rate of 100% for the National Board for Respiratory Care Entry Level Examination, which has a national average pass rate of 59.4 percent.
- All of the nine Medical Laboratory Technology graduates passed the ASCP-BOC exam, which has a national pass rate of 80 percent.
“We attribute our success rates to small class sizes, one-on-one attention, faculty experience and our learning facilities that help students really absorb the material so they can apply it to real-life situations,” explained Barbara Lustig-Tillie, SCC’s nursing program department chair. Her program graduated 13 students in December 2011. All of the students passed the NCLEX-RN exam and are gainfully employed. In May 2012, 18 students graduated, and to date, of the 16 who have taken the exam all have passed, and 14 are gainfully employed.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) students take the National Registry of EMTs Certification Exam, which consists of a practical exam and a written exam. “For the first time in my twelve years teaching, our summer class of nine students achieved a 100 percent first attempt pass on both components of their exams. Now the bar has been set,” exclaimed Douglas Paris, SCC’s program director for Emergency Medical Services. “Christina Henderson, our part-time instructor who is also a Spartanburg EMS Paramedic, has done a great job with the students. They were motivated, focused and rose to the challenges they confronted. The future of pre-hospital care rests with them, and we are very proud of them all.”
The strongest record for certification exam pass rates is held by SCC’s Surgical Technology program. “For the past 30 years, a total of 408 students have graduated and taken their National Surgical Technology Certification Exam. Out of those 408, only 4 students have not passed on the first try, but did pass on the second. So overall, we have had a consecutive pass rate of 100 percent for 30 years,” said Debra Bradley, SCC Surgical Technology program director.
SCC encourages individuals who are considering going into the health care profession, and looking into their education and training options, to inquire about the institution’s graduate success rates. “When selecting a program, do your homework and find out about pass rates and job placement rates so you can compare the options. It is important to know upfront before enrolling in a program, that you are going to learn the necessary skills to become gainfully employed upon graduation,” explained Dr. Melton.
Learn more about SCC’s Human & Health Services programs by visiting www.sccsc.edu, and attending SCC’s Open House on Tuesday, October 23 from 4-7pm at SCC’s central campus in Spartanburg.