Academics

Allied Health

Majors
Nuclear Medicine Technology · Clinical Laboratory Science · Respiratory Care

General Information
The Nuclear Medicine Technology major will prepare the student for a professional career as a nuclear medicine technologist. Nuclear medicine is a specialty area of medical practice that uses radioactive isotopes and special sensitive instrumentation to help diagnose and treat certain diseases. The nuclear medicine technologist is an individual who has received special training to perform the many patient procedures which will assist the nuclear physician in diagnosis and treatment. The individual is trained in this instrumentation used to perform body function studies, imaging procedures, and laboratory tests done on various body fluids.

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist is a professional member of the health care team specializing in the laboratory investigation of patient samples for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of disease. The Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for the quality and accuracy of laboratory findings based upon his/her understanding of scientific principles and methods of data analysis. Students gain career knowledge in a combination of formal academic education and clinical education in a hospital-based laboratory science program.

Respiratory Care is an allied health specialty focusing on cardiopulmonary life support. Respiratory care is a health care service delivered by trained practitioners who, under physician supervision, actively participate in the care of patients. The practice of respiratory care encompasses, but is not limited to, diagnosis, treatment, management, and preventative care of patients with cardiopulmonary problems.

Required Courses: Nuclear Medicine Technology
Required Courses: Respiratory Care
Department of Biological Sciences

Required Courses: Clinical Laboratory Science
Department of Physical Sciences

Career Opportunities
The majority of Nuclear Medicine Technologists practice in hospital nuclear medicine departments assisting nuclear physicians with diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Laboratory positions for Clinical Laboratory Scientists are available in many locations including, but not limited to:

Center for Disease Control
Department of Agriculture Laboratories
Doctors' Offices
Hospital Laboratories
Independent Laboratories
Medical Research Laboratories
National Institutes for Health
Public Health Service Laboratories
The Military
The Pharmaceutical Industry
Veterinary Laboratories

Although the majority of practitioners in Respiratory Care work in hospitals in general staff positions, there are many areas for employment and specialization including:

Administration
Business Management
Education
Extended Care Facilities
Extracorporeal Circulation
Flight Therapy and Research
Home Care Companies
Hyperbaric Medicine
Medical Equipment Suppliers
Neonatology
Pulmonary Function Testing
Rehabilitation Centers

Objectives
Nuclear Medicine Technology
Upon completion of this program, graduates will demonstrate:

the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate information relevant to their role as a nuclear medicine technologist
technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fill their role as a nuclear medicine technologist
personal behavior consistent with professional employer expectations for the nuclear medicine technologist

Clinical Laboratory Science
Upon completion of this program, graduates will demonstrate:

extensive background in biology and chemistry
development of essential laboratory skills needed for accurate collection and analysis of data
instilled professional standards necessary for the responsibility of working in a health care career
clinical science knowledge and appropriate skills so that the graduate will be eligible for employment as a clinical laboratory scientist nationwide

Respiratory Care
Upon completion of this program, graduates will demonstrate:

the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate information relevant to their role as a respiratory care practitioner (RCP)
technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fill role as a respiratory care practitioner
personal behavior consistent with professional employer expectations for the RCP

Faculty Highlights
Elizabeth Hodgson - Nuclear Medicine Technology Coordinator
Marie E. Dunstan - Clinical Laboratory Science Coordinator
Mark Simmons - Respiratory Care Coordinator

Special Opportunities
Nuclear Medicine Technology
The Nuclear Medicine Technology program at York College is part of a consortium composed of area hospitals and colleges. The student spends the first three years of the four-year program completing courses at York College. During the junior year, application is made to the consortium for the final clinical year of the program. Acceptance into the clinical year is not guaranteed. The senior year is spent at the hospital assigned, working in a nuclear medicine department three days a week and attending classes one day each week at the consortium educational building in Lancaster, PA.

Clinical Laboratory Science
The senior year takes place in a hospital school of Clinical Laboratory Science. Many hospitals will employ their clinical students in the laboratory on a part-time basis. Additionally, staff openings in the laboratory of that hospital will often be filled by graduating seniors of their programs.

Respiratory Care
B.S. Respiratory Care students may choose a clinical specialty in their last year. They are also required to perform a research project in the senior year.

Courses of Study
The following three options are available in the area of Respiratory Care:

2 year - 74 credit A.S. degree
3 year - 99 credit A.S. degree
4 year - 124 credit B.S. degree

Following completion of the two year program, the graduate is certification eligible. Following completion of the three and four year programs, the graduate becomes registry eligible.