Health & Wellness

The Francis S. and Mary Gill Carrozza RN Health Sciences Center on the campus of LCCC houses all health science programs including nursing, dental hygiene, surgical technology, respiratory therapy, and emergency medical services. The three story building in downtown Nanticoke was opened in 2011. Each health science program has separate admissions requirements. And due to the limited number of clinical sites available, admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the health sciences program.

Dental hygiene is a two year program intended to prepare the graduate with the skills necessary to provide comprehensive dental services based on current standards of care. Upon successful completion of the program, the students will take three examinations in order to obtain licensure, the clinical exam, the comprehensive simulated exercise, and the National Board Dental Hygiene exam. Due to the quality of our program, students have achieved a 98% pass rate in these exams over the past 34 years. The dental clinic has 24 chairs, an X-ray room, and the ability to have students provide dental care services to the people in our community under the direct supervision of faculty.

The respiratory therapy department offers a two year program leading to an associate of applied science degree. The objective of the program is to prepare the student as a competent respiratory therapist for entry level positions in departments of respiratory care. The learning objectives are achieved through classroom laboratory practice and clinical experiences at various health care agencies. laboratory practice includes the ability to perform blood gas testing, and lung function testing in our on site state of the art lab. Graduates are eligible to take the examination to earn both the national Credential of Certified Respiratory Therapist, the CRT, and the state required credential of Respiratory Care Practitioner, RCP. Upon successful completion of the CRT exam, the students will then be eligible to take two examinations necessary to earn the national credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist, RRT. 100% of our graduates successfully complete these examinations.

The surgical technology department also offers an Associate of Applied Science degree. This two year program allows the student the opportunity to become a certified surgical technologists. The students will learn about the rationales of surgical intervention and understand the role of a surgical technician as a member of the surgical team. The student will also gain knowledge of the organizational structure of hospitals and have an understanding of biological sciences as it relates to safe operating room procedures. The supervise students will obtain operating room experiences while performing the duties of a surgical technician at clinical agencies in northeastern Pennsylvania. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the national certification examination to become a certified surgical technologist. The students may also pursue careers in fields such as medical equipment repairs, surgical assistant, and surgical technologists. All students will have the opportunity to practice their skills in an onsite surgical suite to foster hands on learning experiences at the health sciences center building.

The emergency medical services department offers an Associate degree of Applied Science in our paramedic program. This field of study provides paramedic level training utilizing current and modern equipment based on national standard curriculum guidelines that prepare the student to pass both the national practical and written certification exam process. The program will provide the student with the opportunity to become a competent, entry level emergency medical technician and act as a paramedic, emergency medical technician, and an intermediate or first responder level. The program gives the student the opportunity to obtain life saving skills and perform advanced life support in an environment encountered by a field level street paramedic operating out of an ambulance helicopter or mobile intensive care unit.

The EMS department also offers an Advanced Life Support Paramedic certificate program, which is typically achieved in two semesters. The Advanced Life Support program provides paramedic level training to prepare the student to pass both the practical and written certification process. A graduate of the certificate program may continue studies that lead to an Associate in Applied Science in EMS. Careers may lead to ambulance driver attendance, lifeguards, nursing assistants, and fire, police, and ambulance dispatchers. The EMS program provides an excellent opportunity to practice skills using state-of-the-art equipment in labs, including an on site emergency response vehicle.

Luzerne County Community College also offers a two year Associate degree in nursing. The nursing curriculum is designed to prepare the student to become a competent entry level RN and to be successful in taking the National Council State Board of Nursing Licensure Examination. Upon receiving licensure, the graduate is able to practice nursing in acute care, long term care, home health, physician's office, and other agencies established to meet the health care needs of individuals and communities. LCCC's nursing department offers several programs. The traditional day cohort is offered annually on main campus. There's a main campus evening program that's offered every two years. There's an LPN to RN program that is offered as a traditional day program, and one that's offered in the evening. These programs are offered every other year. There's also a campus in the Northumberland region. This campus offers a traditional day program which admits every other year. The application deadline for entrance into the nursing program is December 1, in order to be considered for the following year. Admission requirements for the nursing program include applying for admission, submitting official transcripts, and completing prerequisite courses. Applicants must also take an entrance examination and achieve a proficient score. Criminal background checks and health screenings must also be submitted. Part of the learning experience in preparing the student as an entry level RN graduate is to have the student practice skills in lab. The labs are designed like a hospital patient's room in order to simulate patient experiences while learning bedside nursing in a protected environment. There are also two high fidelity simulation areas, which provides students the ability to perform skills on mannequins that can breathe and have a pulse and blood pressure. The nursing students will also participate in community projects which allow them to present public health issues to citizens in our community.

We'd like to thank you for your interest in considering Luzerne County Community College as part of your future educational endeavors. Information on any of these health sciences programs is available by going to the LCCC website, luzerne.edu and submitting a request for information related to the programs of your interest.