HEALTH
SCIENCES
START HERE.
More than 70,000 futures
have started at Kirkwood...
Yours can be one of them!
Get a great start here in in one of the decade’s fastest growing career fields.
With your Kirkwood experience, you’ll quickly earn a high
demand career, because you’ll have the real world skills
employers are looking for. Add to that scholarships for
everyone, including nearly 25 individual scholarships only
for students interested in health related areas.
You’ll get hands-on training in crisis situations at Kirkwood’s
state-of-the-art Healthcare Simulation Center. Seven high
fidelity simulators reproduce emergency medical situations,
participants are recorded and their responses reviewed,
helping learners continuously improve their tactics.
Plus, Kirkwood’s close affiliation with local major health care
institutions means you’ll also get excellent real world clinical
training. Allied Health programs lead to certification or
licensure in your particular career area.
For more information call 800-332-2055 or www.kirkwood.edu/careers.
Dental Assisting
1-year AAS degree
Dental assistants polish teeth, take X-rays, mix materials,
sterilize instruments and perform other duties that help dentists
chair side. Some assistants also manage the office and patient
accounts, schedule appointments and purchase supplies. During
this one-year program, you will gain classroom, laboratory and
hands-on experience by working with patients at the College of
Dentistry at the University of Iowa, at Veteran’s Administration
Medical Center in Iowa City and in private dental offices.
Dental Hygiene
2-year AAS degree
Hygienists work independently with patients to help prevent,
detect and treat diseases of the mouth, playing a key role in the
pursuit of optimal patient health via education and treatment
planning.
Dental hygienists remove calculus deposits and stains from
teeth, polish teeth, apply sealants and fluoride, take X-rays,
record medical and dental histories, and educate patients
on how proper brushing, flossing and eating habits can help
maintain a healthy mouth.
Dental Technology
2-year AAS degree
The goal and challenge for a dental technician is to create a
restoration that is a perfect match to a patient’s natural tooth.
Artistic and creative abilities are valuable assets for a dental
technician.
Kirkwood’s Dental Technology program - one of only 18
accredited programs in the nation and the only one in Iowa prepares you in five specialty areas: dentures, partial dentures,
ceramics, orthodontics, and crowns and bridges. During this
program, you will work with commercial dental laboratories,
the College of Dentistry and Hospital Dentistry at The
University of Iowa in Iowa City to gain hands-on experience.
Health Information Technology
2-year AAS degree*
Health information technology (HIT) professionals collect,
analyze and manage patient health information, then use that
information to communicate with patients, physicians, nurses,
administrators, lawyers and insurance companies. They provide
reliable and valid information that drives the health care
industry.
Kirkwood’s HIT program focuses on medical coding as well as
the management of health information. In addition to taking
courses on campus, students also complete practicums at health
facilities throughout the state.
The Health Information Technology program is primarily
offered online, with the exception of clinical rotations and some
courses.
*Students who complete the first three semesters of the Health
Information Technology program at Kirkwood earn a diploma
in Medical Coding.
Medical Transcription
2-year AAS degree
Increasing requirements for patient care documentation
provide numerous opportunities for medical transcriptionists.
Physicians and other health care providers use state-of-the-art
electronic technology to dictate and transmit highly technical
and confidential information for their patients. These medical
professionals rely on skilled medical transcriptionists to
transform the spoken word into comprehensive records that
accurately communicate medical information.
Medical transcriptionists are specialists in medical language
and health care documentation. They interpret and transcribe
dictation by physicians and other health care professionals
regarding patient assessment, therapeutic procedures, clinical
courses, diagnoses and prognoses.
Electroneurodiagnostic Technology
2-year AAS degree
Electroneurodiagnostic technicians use electroencephalograph
(EEG) instruments to record electrical impulses transmitted by
the brain and nervous system. These recordings assist physicians
in the diagnosis of a variety of neurological problems—
from headaches and dizziness to seizure disorders, strokes,
degenerative brain disease and sleep disorders.
This is a cooperative program between Kirkwood and the
Department of Neurology at the University of Iowa Hospitals
and Clinics in Iowa City. Students have clinical experiences
at area hospitals and the Department of Neurology at the
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The program begins
every odd-numbered year in the fall.
Medical Assisting
1-year diploma
Medical assisting is a versatile health career involving clinical
procedures, administrative skills and routine laboratory
procedures.
In the clinical area, medical assistants (MAs) take patients to the
examination room, ask about and record symptoms, and measure
the patient’s height, weight and blood pressure. MAs also
prepare instruments for and assist with minor surgeries, assist the
physician with patient exams, obtain EKGs, give injections and
draw blood for routine lab work. MAs may also be employed
in an administrative position responsible for greeting patients,
answering phones, scheduling appointments, and managing
medical records, insurance payments and patient accounts.
Kirkwood’s one-year Medical Assisting program includes
classroom and laboratory experience, and a clinical internship
at a physician’s office. The program may also be taken on a parttime basis.
After earning a Medical Assisting diploma, graduates are
eligible to take the nationally recognized Certified Medical
Assistant exam. Most employers require certification within one
year of graduation.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
2-year AAS degree
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) work with patients of
all ages and help them learn skills to lead independent lives.
OTAs work under the supervision of an occupational therapist
(OT) to provide hands-on services to clients who are learning
new ways to succeed in the occupation of life. This program
starts each year in the fall. The primary location for OTA is
Linn County Regional Center.
Physical Therapist Assistant
2-year AAS degree
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work closely with physical
therapists (PTs) to provide services to people with physical
disabilities. Patient treatments may include strengthening,
flexibility, aerobic conditioning, exercise, balance activities,
functional training, gait training, modalities and other
therapeutic interventions.
The PT performs an initial patient examination and identifies
patient problems and goals, then outlines a plan of care. The
PTA assists the PT by carrying out all or part of the plan of care,
monitoring the patient’s progress and documenting the care.
Students have two short-term and two long-term clinical
experiences that allow them to gain hands-on experience with
a variety of patients. Clinic sites are located across Iowa and in
neighboring states. This program has mandatory background
checks for clinic participation. This program begins each year
in the fall. The primary location for PTA is the Linn County
Regional Center.
Diagnostic Assistant
(Radiologic Technology Degree Completion)
Diagnostic Assistant is designed for Radiologic Technology
students in partnership with the Mercy/St. Luke’s School of
Radiologic Technology.
The two-year radiologic technology technical program is taught
through Mercy/St. Luke’s, begins each summer and has a
separate application process.
Students can complete prerequisite courses at Kirkwood to
become eligible to apply for the Mercy/St. Luke’s program.
After they complete the program and receive their certificate
in Radiologic Technology, students can transfer those credits
back to Kirkwood and receive an associate of applied science
Diagnostic Assistant degree if the prerequisite courses were
taken at Kirkwood Community College.
Surgical Technology
2-year AAS degree | Entry Time: Spring start (Cedar Rapids
site), Fall start (Distance Education program available
at Hawkeye Community College, Indian Hills Community
College and Northeast Iowa Community College.)
Surgical technologists are experts in the theory and application
of sterile and aseptic techniques. That, combined with
knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and
implementation tools and technologies, helps physicians perform
invasive procedures. They provide surgical care under medical
supervision, ensure operating rooms are safe, that equipment
functions properly and that the operative procedure is conducted
under conditions that maximize patient safety.
The laboratory portion of the program, which reinforces
concepts learned in class, is held in operating suites at area
hospitals. Students have clinical experiences in hospitals and
actively participate on operating room teams during surgery
while clinical preceptors oversee their work.
Nursing - LPN/RN
2-year AAS degree
Nursing is the largest health care profession in the United
States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that
employment among nurses will grow faster than average for all
occupations through 2014.
The first two semesters of the Practical Nursing (PN) and
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs are identical and
provide a core of knowledge and skills that are common to both
nursing roles. Kirkwood nursing classes cover medical, surgical,
geriatric, maternal-child, mental health and home health
nursing over the five-semester program. Patient care skills are
learned in a supervised lab setting. Clinical experience begins
in the first semester. Students receive clinical experience in all
of the major areas of nursing and complete their clinics in area
hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, mental health facilities, home
health agencies and a variety of specialty clinics.
Pre-BSN Nursing
2-year AAS degree
Kirkwood offers a Pre-BSN (Baccalaureate of Science in
Nursing) curriculum that will transfer to a four-year college or
university granting the BSN degree. The first year of study for
the BSN may be attained at Kirkwood.
The Pre-BSN program has been developed in cooperation
with the University of Iowa, Coe College and Mount Mercy
University. Course credits in the program are transferable to
these colleges. Consult the college you plan to transfer to early
in your program to make sure you are taking the appropriate
courses for your plan of study.
Medical Laboratory Technology
2-year AAS degree
Get entry-level skills in clinical laboratory science. You’ll learn
complex laboratory procedures with limited supervision, plus
use a number of instruments in the laboratory for sterilizing,
analyzing and testing. Students will use math to make solutions
or to record test results, and use laboratory computer systems in
some settings.
Kirkwood is an academic affiliate of the Medical Laboratory
Technology program at Hawkeye Community College.
Students must complete requirements for admission at both
Kirkwood and Hawkeye Community College.
Students will train in a 24-week hospital laboratory assignment.
Graduates are awarded an Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
degree from Hawkeye Community College and are prepared
for the Board of Registry by American Society of Clinical
Pathology Exam and National Credentialing Agency Exam for
Laboratory Personnel.
Some Medical Laboratory Technology classes are offered
over the Iowa Communications Network and can be taken
at Kirkwood. This program starts each fall. Clinics may be
arranged locally.
Paramedic
2-year AAS degree
Paramedics provide one of the highest levels of pre-hospital
emergency care. They provide advanced care in a variety of
settings. Utilizing critical thinking skills, paramedics rapidly
assess, treat and stabilize injured or ill patients and provide
transport to or between hospitals. Settings may include ground
and air ambulances, emergency departments, critical care
units or cardiac cath labs. Along with advanced assessment
techniques, paramedics utilize medications, cardiac monitoring
and interpreting, defibrillation and advanced invasive skills
as guided by state and local protocols, as well as the medical
direction of each service.
The Paramedic program follows the current National
Emergency Medical Services Education Standards from the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The standards
prepare the EMT and AEMT for the more advanced scope
of practice of the paramedic. This allied health program has a
mandatory background check for clinical participation.
Pharmacy Technician
1-year diploma
The pharmacy technician, under the supervision of a
pharmacist, assists in day-to-day pharmacy operations.
Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals or retail pharmacies
receiving written prescriptions, taking prescription refill
requests, preparing intravenous medications, operating
computer and automation systems, applying prescription and
auxiliary labels to medication bottles, pricing and controlling
inventory, and preparing insurance claim forms.
Liberal Arts - Biology Transfer
2-year AA or AS degree | Entry Time: Fall, Spring or
Summer
Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree
in Biology may complete a combination of general education
and math & science foundation courses while at Kirkwood.
These courses will allow a student to transfer with junior
status, having general education credits fulfilled as well as the
freshman- and sophomore-level science courses.
It is especially important that students work closely with
the Advising & Transfer Center (108 Iowa Hall) in order
to plan appropriately. Different colleges may have different
requirements, so the planning component is critical.
Biotechnology
2-year AA or AS degree | Entry Time: Fall, Spring or
Summer
From designing plants that produce better crops to finding
cures to disease, biotechnology has made a mark on modern life.
Most seldom realize nearly everything in our lives, including the
food we eat, the clothes we wear and the various products we
use every day, is touched in some way by biotechnology.
Students in Kirkwood’s Biotechnology program first learn to
operate and maintain lab equipment, and adhere to federal
guidelines. Later in the program, students prepare solutions
and reagents; explore microbiology, cell biology, immunology,
and genetic engineering and molecule biology; isolate and
characterize proteins; and perform chemical assays.
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Biotechnology
program quickly develops a marketable skill set. This program
includes many lab techniques courses. The Associate of
Science (A.S.) Biotechnology and Bioinformatics programs
build a deeper theoretical background. Students continue
their education by transferring to area colleges or universities.
In these programs there is a greater emphasis on science and
math courses.
If your college plans include four years of
education or more, choose from several
health care related preprofessional transfer
options at Kirkwood.
You can complete your general education requirements at a
lower tuition, start focusing on your future career, then transfer
to complete your advanced degree.
Some of our health care related preprofessional programs
include:
• Chiropractic Medicine
• Dentistry
• Medicine
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy
Kirkwood Continuing Education certification is available in:
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
Prerequisite: CPR for Health Care Providers or CPR for the
Professional Rescuer.
The primary focus of the Emergency Medical Responder
(EMR) is to initiate immediate lifesaving care to critical
patients who access the emergency medical system. This
individual possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to
provide basic, lifesaving interventions with minimal equipment
while awaiting additional EMS response, and to assist higher
level personnel at the scene and during transport. An EMR
functions as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under
medical oversight.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Prerequisite: CPR for Health Care Providers or CPR for the
Professional Rescuer
The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is the first careerlevel certification program in EMS. The primary focus of
the EMT is to provide basic emergency medical care and
transportation for critical and emergent patients who access
the emergency medical system. EMTs perform interventions
with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance.
An EMT functions as part of a comprehensive EMS response,
under medical oversight. The EMT is a link from the scene to
the emergency health care system. Skills include treatment of
wounds and fractures, basic airway management and automated
defibrillation. Courses are offered each semester. Classes meet
twice per week for 12 or 16 weeks depending on the semester.
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
(AEMT)
Prerequisites: Active EMT certification; CPR for Health Care
Providers or CPR for the Professional Rescuer
The primary focus of the Advanced Emergency Medical
Technician (AEMT) is to provide basic and limited advanced
emergency medical care and transportation for critical and
emergent patients who access the emergency medical system.
AEMTs perform interventions with the basic and advanced
equipment typically found on an ambulance. An AEMT
functions as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under
medical oversight. The AEMT is a link from the scene to the
emergency health care system. Skills include intravenous or
interosseous initiation, limited medications administration and
blood glucose monitoring.
Nurse Aide Certification
The 75-hour Nurse Aide program is designed to meet the
training requirements for the nurse aide in long-term care
facilities. Program emphasis is in achieving a basic level of
knowledge and demonstrating skills to provide safe, effective
resident care.
Phlebotomist Training
The Phlebotomist Training course is offered as a non-credit
continuing education program that prepares students to
function as a phlebotomist in medical laboratory settings.
Students will learn to obtain blood specimens for testing via
primary phlebotomy techniques. Course content includes
circulatory system anatomy and physiology, medical
terminology prefixes and suffixes, abbreviations and customer
service skills. Class consists of lecture and lab followed by
an 80-hour clinical experience in a laboratory setting. Welltrained, professional and proficient Phlebotomists are needed in
hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices. In less than three months,
you can be on-the-job as a trained Phlebotomist.
Certificates
Pair your two-year degree with a tailored certification, or
take your current skills to a new level. Earn specialized
certificates in several fields, or create a completely unique
skill set. The choice is yours! See all our certificates at
www.kirkwood.edu/programs.
Kirkwood’s High School Offerings
Even high school students can get in on the action! High
school juniors and seniors can take Kirkwood classes in related
subjects. Classes fulfill credit for both high school and college.
See www.kirkwood.edu/earncredit for more information.
Kirkwood Continuing Education
Whether you want to advance your professional career
or enrich your personal life, Kirkwood Continuing
Education can help you achieve your goals. We offer
top quality programs taught by highly skilled learning
facilitators, at convenient times and locations. Go to
www.kirkwood.edu/ce for a full course listing.
All of this, along with world-class
faculty, extensive student
services and low tuition make
Kirkwood the place to start if
you want to GO
ANYWHERE!
Find all the ways you can visit Kirkwood’s campus and get
started as a student at www.kirkwood.edu/visitcampus.
Kirkwood Community College
6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW
PO Box 2068
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406-2068
www.kirkwood.edu
Contact 319-398-5517 or 800-363-2220
or admissions@kirkwood.edu for more information.