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The Navajo County Community College District Governing Board approved the addition of two new programs to Northland Pioneer College’s 2019 Fall schedule at the March 19 meeting: Surgical Technology and Therapeutic Massage Technology.
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The Surgical Technology program will offer an Associate of Applied Science degree while the Therapeutic Massage Technology will offer an Associate of Applied Science as well as a Certificate of Applied Science and a Certificate of Proficiency.
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Among the benefits noted for the Surgical Technology program in the request for approval were the average median wage in Arizona for this profession of $50,000 a year, with only two other colleges in Arizona offer an associate degree in this field; and many students and employers within the county are very interested in this program.
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Some of the benefits listed for the Therapeutic Massage Technology included employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 26 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations; opportunities are created for NPC as practitioners are required to take continuing education requirements to maintain certification; and the Allied Health Advisory Committee feels that the program will be well-received in the county as there is a vibrant interest in alternative medicine.
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In other business, the board,
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* Approved the recommendation to modify the Nursing Program to change from Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA), which requires not only a Department of Public Service fingerprint card but also a background check.
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* Approved the recommendation to modify the Registered Nurse Associate of Applied Science which allows the student the option of either completing the placement test or completing the MAT 142 course or higher with a “C” or better within one year prior to application to the Nursing program.
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