Division of Nursing and Allied Health

Office: Building H, Room 133
Phone: 318-678- 6080
 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Division of Nursing and Allied Health is to provide quality educational opportunities in nursing and allied health through excellent classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction, and to provide service to the citizens of Northwest Louisiana.

The Division of Nursing and Allied Health offers 28 programs: 11 associate degrees, 6 certificates of technical studies, 4 technical diplomas, and 8 career and technical certificates.

Associate of Applied Science in Paramedic

The Bossier Parish Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, Phone 727-210-2350) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession (CoAEMSP).

Associate of Science in Nursing

The Associate of Science in Nursing Program at Bossier Parish Community College located in Bossier City, Louisiana is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science Nursing Program is continuing accreditation, awarded in 2016.

Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technician and Certificate of Technical Studies in Pharmacy Technician

The BPCC Pharmacy Technician program is accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant

The Bossier Parish Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program  is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 318-678-6110 or email one of the PTA Program advisors, Ms. Bryant , Ms. Cox, or Ms. Emory.

Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy

The Bossier Parish Community College Respiratory Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC); 264 Precision Blvd, Telford, TN, 37690, Phone: 817-283-2835, https://www.coarc.com.

Certificate of Technical Studies in Phlebotomy

The Bossier Parish Community College Phlebotomy Program is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS): 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119; 773-714-8880. www.naacls.org

Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology

The Bossier Parish Community College Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355-113^th St N, #7709, Seminole, FL  33775, phone; 727- 210-2350, fax: 727-210-2354, mail@caahep.org, after recommendation by the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) 19751 East Mainstreet, Suite 399, Parker, CO 80138, Phone: 303-694-9262, fax: 303-741-3655 www.arcstsa.org

General Program with a Clinical Component Training Information

Clinical classes are those taught in off-campus locations including hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, pharmacies, and EMS services. The Division of Nursing and Allied Health programs listed below include a clinical component or clinical classes.

• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Medical Assistant
• Medical Office Specialist
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Paramedic
• Pharmacy Technician
• Phlebotomy
• Physical Therapist Assistant
• Practical Nursing
• Respiratory Therapy
• Surgical Technology

Admission/Selection to Programs with Clinical Components

Bossier Parish Community College is an open admissions institution, as established by the Louisiana Legislature and approved by the Board of Regents and Louisiana Community and Technical College system. BPCCs admissions Policy and Procedures are located on the BPCC website and in the BPCC general catalog. 

Admission to the clinical program component is restricted to students who have completed all qualification courses with a C or higher, minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 (2.500 for PTA and RSTH), submit a completed program application packet by the published deadline, and meet all other specific program requirements. (See program specific requirements in each degree section for additional information). Additionally, BPCC must have received official copies of all transcripts from all colleges attended, prior to being considered for admission to a clinical program.

Admission to a program with a clinical program component is competitive and dependent upon availability of clinical sites, local employment statistics, and established faculty to student ratios. The Division of Nursing and Allied Health strives to administer the selection process fairly and consistently.

Bossier Parish Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, qualified disability, marital status, veteran’s status, or sexual orientation in admission to its programs, services, or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations. Bossier Parish Community College does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.

All programs with a clinical component have established essential requirements, which identify occupational specific technical standards required of students in the program. Students are strongly encouraged to review the essential requirements for the program prior to application. The request for any necessary accommodations must be submitted with the program application. A copy of these essential requirements is included in the application packet, is available from the program director, and on the BPCC website.

Students are strongly encouraged to routinely meet with the program faculty or program director specific to the program in which the student is enrolled. The program faculty provides valuable information regarding the appropriate sequencing of qualification courses, program application process, and program deadlines.
 

Required Information for Programs with a Clinical Component

Depending on the program and the assigned clinical sites, the student may be required to submit the following upon selection into the clinical component:

• Program Specific Health Status Statement (physical exam) from a physician
• Documentation for laboratory testing or immunization against Measles, Rubella, Tuberculosis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Varicella zoster, Influenza, COVID-19, and any other testing or immunization required by the clinical facility or physician prior to beginning and during clinical training. (May include, but not limited to Varicella zoster titer, Rubella titer, Rubeola titer, and Hepatitis B titer.)
• Documented current health insurance coverage (maintained throughout clinical training).
• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification for Health Care Providers (maintained throughout clinical training)
• Current HIPAA and OSHA training certificate
• Signed consent/release for background check (general and criminal)
• Signed consent/release for drug/alcohol testing
• Signed consents/releases for clinical site processing
• Other information that may be required by a specific clinical affiliate.

Clinical Experience

• Clinical experiences are provided in affiliated hospitals, healthcare facilities, research facilities, fire departments, pharmacies, and physicians’ offices. Students are expected to abide by the facility policies in addition to program and school policies.
• Each student will be responsible for transportation to and from the assigned clinical site.
• The student will be responsible for securing the uniforms and other personal equipment (such as stethoscope, medical scissors, clipboard, etc.) as designated by each program.
• The student will be responsible for funding and obtaining the required clinical requirements (such as immunizations, laboratory work, American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification for Healthcare Providers, physical, and health insurance) by the program specified deadlines.
• The student will be responsible for providing their own meals.
• The student will be responsible for quality of care they give commensurate with type and level in educational program.
• Once admitted to a clinical program, a student must earn a “C” or higher on each course pursued in order to continue in the program. A student who earns below a “C” will be terminated from the program. If a student is terminated, the student may re-apply for the next class. If re-accepted, it will be at the discretion of the program director as to which course(s) must be remediated, audited, or repeated.

Program Specific Fees

A clinical fee is charged in addition to regular tuition for each program with a clinical component. This fee is required each semester that a student is scheduled in program classes. Additional fees, which provide for required certification, licensure exams, or required supplies, may be associated with some programs. The fees are listed on the BPCC web site.

Code of Conduct for Programs with a Clinical Component

It is the responsibility of each student to become familiar with the rules and regulations outlined in the Code of Conduct of Bossier Parish Community College. In addition, each student selected for a program with a clinical component will be responsible for reading and abiding by the academic and conduct policies established by the program and those of the clinical affiliation site(s) to which he/she is assigned. All program students must adhere to the substance abuse policies of the college, program, and clinical affiliates. Programs require drug/alcohol screens and criminal background checks for participation. Further details may be found in the BPCC Student Handbook and the Program Clinical Handbook, which is issued to the program students at the beginning of the first clinical semester. Violations of academic or conduct policies of the college, program, or clinical affiliate can result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Drug/Alcohol Screening

Prior to or upon acceptance into a program with a clinical component, each student will be required to sign an Authority to Release Drug and/or Alcohol Testing Records release form and may be assessed a non-refundable drug screen fee. Drug testing can be performed randomly, selectively or as a group. Refusal of the student to submit to a drug test or a positive drug screen indicating alcohol or drug use will result in the student’s disqualification from admittance to the program or immediate dismissal from the program.

A student who has been dismissed from a program for a positive drug screen indicating alcohol or drug use may reapply to the program from which he/she was dismissed or to another clinical program after a period of one year with the understanding that the positive drug screen will remain on his/her record. Should a student have another positive drug screen, the student will be dismissed from the program immediately and shall not be permitted to apply to any Bossier Parish Community College allied health or nursing program. Any and all findings will be released to individuals involved in the clinical placement of students and to any accrediting and/or regulatory agency, as required by law or program accreditation.

General and Criminal Background Check

Upon acceptance into a program with a clinical component, each student will be required to sign a Consent/Release for a background check. This screening process is to ensure the student is not included on the OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities, GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-Procurement Programs, clear of a criminal history, and that the student meets all clinical training site or regulatory agency requirements. Additional types of background checks may be performed per the request of the clinical affiliate, such as National Registry of Sex Offenders and US Department of Treasury - Specially Designated Nationals List (SDN List). Due to the inability of a program to place a student with findings from these searches, the student may be immediately dismissed from the program.

Although positive findings may not immediately interfere with the student’s standing in the clinical program, the findings will be released to the clinical affiliate and to any accrediting agency and/or regulatory agency as required by law. It is the clinical affiliate’s decision to permit a student to perform a clinical rotation in their facility.

Should a student be unable to complete all required rotations or assignments due to refusal of a clinical affiliate to accept the student, or failure of accrediting and/or regulatory agency to approve the student; the student may be unable to complete the clinical course and may ultimately be unable to complete the clinical program.

Individual clinical facilities or program specific regulatory agencies may require additional background checks that will require the student to submit fingerprints and consent to the additional background checks. Due to the inability of a program to place a student with findings from these searches, the student may be immediately dismissed from the program.

Programs with a clinical component also abide by regulations set forth by accreditation agencies, state and federal regulatory boards/agencies, and state and federal law. Program specific management of background check results may vary due to these external requirements. Program specific management is outlined in the Program Clinical Handbook.

Certified Nursing Assistant

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program prepares individuals to work with long-term care patients, such as those in nursing homes and those receiving home healthcare. The program provides approximately 170 hours of instruction, including medical terminology, healthcare safety, patient care lecture, patient care studies and clinicals.

Upon successful completion of the program, the student will receive a certificate of completion and be recognized as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the state of Louisiana. The student must complete all coursework with a grade of “C” and score at least 70% on the final exam to successfully complete the program. Textbooks are required.

Students completing the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Bossier Parish Community College may take challenge exams for ALHT 109  and/or BLGY 110 . If students successfully complete the challenge exams, they will not be required to enroll in ALHT 109  and/or BLGY 110  to earn the Career and Technical Certificate in ECG/Telemetry Technician.

Admission Requirements:

• High school diploma, Louisiana High School Equivalency, or pass a proficiency exam
• Required immunizations
• Proof of health insurance
• Physical examination
• Application to the program
• Background check is required for enrollment

Dean

Michael Whitaker

Faculty

Professors

Laura Bryant, Program Director, Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Bossier Healthcare Foundation Endowed Professorship in Allied Health
Kim Cox, Clinical Coordinator, Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Melanie Petchak
Al Smith, Program Director, Surgical Technology Program
Constance Winter

Associate Professors

Terrie Bergeron, Endowed Professorship in Nursing
Kelly Brandon, Program Director, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
 

Assistant Professors

Instructors

Cynthia Adams, Administrative Coordinator III
Emily Henry, Laboratory Coordinator
Shawdreka Jelks, NAH Program Coordinator 
Zabrina Mack, B.S., Medical Program Manager
Cathy Maddry, Assistant Dean of Nursing
Heather Weldon, Laboratory Coordinator
Brenda Williams, Student Success Coordinator

Programs

• Diagnostic Medical Sonography, AAS
• Fire Science, AAS
• Medical Assistant, AAS (Bossier and Sabine Valley Campuses)
• Nursing, Practical, AAS (Bossier and Natchitoches Campuses)
• Occupational Therapy Assistant, AAS
• Paramedic, AAS
• Pharmacy Technician, AAS
• Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS
• Respiratory Therapy, AAS
• Surgical Technology, AAS

• Nursing, LPN to RN Transition Track, AS
• Nursing, Traditional Track, AS

• Medical Assistant, TD (Bossier and Sabine Valley Campuses)
• Medical Office Specialist, Billing and Reimbursement Concentration, TD
• Medical Office Specialist, Medical Coding Concentration, TD
• Nursing, Practical, TD (Bossier and Natchitoches Campuses)

• Fire Science, CTS
• Medical Assistant, CTS (Bossier and Sabine Valley Campuses)
• Medical Office Specialist, CTS
• Medical Records/Billing Assistant, CTS (Natchitoches and Sabine Valley Campuses)
• Paramedic, CTS
• Pharmacy Technician, CTS
• Phlebotomy, CTS

• ECG/Telemetry Technician, CTC
• Emergency Medical Technician, CTC
• Laboratory Assistant, CTC
• Medical Unit Coordinator, CTC
• Nurse Assistant, CTC (Natchitoches and Sabine Valley Campuses)
• Phlebotomy Skills, CTC (Natchitoches)
• Rural Health Medical Office Administration, CTC