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A number of Heart of Georgia Technical College students are gaining real life skills this fall through a joint venture between the school and the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center.

Twelve HGTC business technology students are in the midst of a two-quarter co-op experience at the VA.

The students, each in the medical administrative assistant and business administrative assistant programs, were selected for the co-ops based on their academic performance, as well as their responses during interviews and on an essay requirement.

Students selected for the fall co-op rotation include: Kristina May (Laurens), Cricket Ussery (Laurens), Krystal Woodard (Dodge), Amanda Jones (Laurens), Sheena Singletary (Dodge), Shawanda White (Laurens), Heather Devaney (Laurens), Joanne Hightower (Johnson), JoAnn Prince (Laurens), Brittnee Parker (Telfair), Shelly NeeSmith (Laurens), and Lisa Berryhill (Laurens).

Typically, four to six students are selected per co-op quarter, though double the usual number were chosen for the latest round.

Eligible students must have at least a 2.0 grade point average, and a C or better average in classes in their specialized area. They must also have completed their first two quarters of classes.

VA representatives visit campus to conduct the selection interviews, though every eligible student has a chance to interview.

“We give every eligible student an opportunity to interview,” Jacqueline Copenny, HGTC business technology department chair explained. “That gives the VA the opportunity to see what we have trained our students to do.”

The students are set up in co-ops based on their skills and their responses during interviews.

“They look at the skills of the person,” said Copenny. “It’s really at the VA’s discretion.

All of the students selected for this fall’s internships went through the interview process back in July. Each internship runs for about six months.

The students receive a grade each quarter during their co-ops. The paid co-op experience also includes leave time. After program graduation and completion of the co-op, students are eligible to convert to full-time VA positions for a period of 120 days following graduation if positions are available.

The co-op experience does in fact frequently serve as a springboard to future jobs. The experience has opened many doors for students in the career arena, according to Copenny.

Tammy Bayto, HGTC business technology department assistant chair, who oversees the co-op process, agrees. She says the co-ops are always well-received, and the students are eager to learn and gain the experience. Many of them often do apply for jobs at the VA once they graduate.

“They love it,” said Bayto. “They don’t want to leave.”

Several former students have garnered jobs through their co-op experience and are now working full-time at the VA, which says a lot about the preparation they gained as students at HGTC, Bayto noted.

“Every quarter looks better and better,” she said.

Beverly Trevisol, Community Training Center Manager at Heart of Georgia Technical College, is shown taking the blood pressure of Alcoa Architectural Products (AAP) employee, Andy Baughcum, during their recent employee Health Fair. Beverly also recently instructed a group of AAP employees on First Aid and CPR as well.

Husqvarna employees work on a Team Building exercise as one of their assignments for their Teamwork Course. During the months of September and October, nearly 80 employees participated in the class at Heart of Georgia Technical College’s Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center. This opportunity was made available to Husqvarna through the Heart of Georgia Work Ready Region Grant for Manufacturing & Distribution Industries. After completion of the course, the employees will have the opportunity to earn their Work Ready Certification.

Mr. Wallace Lord, an instructor with Heart of Georgia Technical College’s Community Education Division, is shown instructing HGTC Technical and Industrial instructors in an OSHA Certified Forklift Course. For more information on this course and others offered by the Community Education Division, please contact us at (478) 275-6592.

Husqvarna employees participated in a Teamwork Course taught by the Heart of Georgia Technical College Community Education Division. This opportunity was made possible by the Heart of Georgia Work Ready Region Grant that includes Bleckley, Dodge, Johnson, Laurens, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler and Wilkinson Counties. The course consisted of seven class meetings on the Dublin HGTC campus followed by the group earning their Work Ready Certification at HGTC’s Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center. To show their support, the Husqvarna administrative team treated the class participants to lunch at the State Park Lodge on August 27, 2009.

Heart of Georgia Technical College Medical Assisting students served popcorn to the student body in honor of Medical Assistant’s Week. Medical Assistants week was October 19-23, and Medical Assistants day is October 21. Lakisha Robinson is the instructor for the Medical Assisting program.

HGTC paramedic student finds rewards in emergency services

For John Pope, the road to a career as a paramedic leads up Highway 319. The Sandersville resident, who works full-time as a firefighter in Washington County, makes the trek to Dublin two days a week to Heart of Georgia Technical College to pursue his certification.

The journey began a little more than a year ago, when he decided to enroll in the EMT program. The former business owner had already been working as a firefighter for the past several years, starting out as a volunteer.

“I actually kind of fell into it,” he explained. “It was nothing I ever planned, but I’m happy where I’m at.”

Through interacting with fellow emergency services personnel, Pope gained a newfound interest in the rewards the work provided.

“It all ties together,” he said of the interaction. “We all work together at different scenes. I can try to advance myself.”

So for two nights a week for a year, Pope made the drive to Dublin to finish EMT classes at HGTC. All the while, he worked 24-hour shifts as a fireman, and worked part-time for the local ambulance service — in addition to the six to eight hours in clinicals twice per week. Pope says his family has been his support and he could not be pursuing this dream without them. His hours away from home have not been easy, but have been necessary to get the job done.

“It was the only [program] around offered at night,” Pope explained of the HGTC program.

“You definitely have to be dedicated to the program,” he said.

He completed the EMT program last September, and he is presently pursuing certification in paramedics. Up completion, he plans to further his education by pursuing a nursing degree. He anticipates finishing the paramedics program during winter quarter.

For Pope, a firefighter, ambulance services employee and soon-to-be paramedic, the work has its own personal rewards.

“It’s got its stressful moments,” he said, “but I enjoy the emergency services.”

Pictured: Pope practicing tracheal intubation.

Cosmetology Program Thriving at HGTC

When the first group of graduates from Heart of Georgia Technical College’s cosmetology program finish up in December, they will take with them the skills to succeed in the best top-notch salons.

With the training and hands-on experience they’ve received in HGTC’s state-of-the art cosmetology salon and classrooms, it should come as little surprise, says instructor Lisa Jones.

“We have the updated technology and equipment in all the services,” said Jones, to ensure that students are prepared in every aspect of cosmetology and salon services once they graduate. They’ve seen and used the professional products.”

Their training begins in the classroom, where for three quarters of the program students learn the ins and outs of the business in the new cosmetology facility located in Louie Livingston Hall. The cosmetology portion of the building includes two classrooms complete with personal computer stations, a full salon featuring hair and nail stations, two pedicure spas, as well as a facial room.

Student Danielle Davis says the financial aid opportunities, the overall quality of the program and facilities, coupled with the experience she’s able to gain in working directly with customers, is what prompted her to enroll at HGTC.

“That’s really what prompted me to come here,” she said. “I’m really glad I made the choice on this facility.”

In addition to hands-on experience on the floor, students enrolled in the program also utilize the skills learned in their core math and English classes, as well as instruction in employability — where they learn skills in conducting themselves in job interviews, drafting resumes and even customer service. Students work and learn in every dimension of the HGTC salon — from taking inventory to scheduling appointments at the front desk.

“When they go into a salon, they have to be able to have that customer service experience,” said Jones.

Once they’ve gain the textbook knowledge, students move out onto the floor of the salon environment, where they handle their own clients. The HGTC salon is open to the public offering services ranging from pedicures and manicures, haircuts and coloring, braiding and thermal pressing, facials and styling. Prices range from $3 for a regular shampoo to $40 for coloring to $25 for microdermabrasion.

Students use the latest in salon products to ensure that their training is up to date, utilizing product lines including Redkin, Joico and Affirm.

“With the technology out there today, they’ve got to learn the competitive skills,” she said.

The salon will open for fall on Oct. 5. Salon hours are Mondays from noon to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments can be set up by calling (478) 274-7645 or e-mailing salonservices@heartofgatech.edu.

Since the HGTC cosmetology program launched last spring, enrollment demand has only increased, so much so that enrollment is now open every quarter.

“We’ve had a great interest,” said Jones, adding that the program extends beyond what’s necessary to pass the state licensing boards into the new edge styles and technology utilized in modern salons.

“Whenever they [students] leave here and go to work I want them prepared for what’s in the field,” said Jones. “It’s just beyond preparing for their career. It gives them a better edge to what’s going on in the field.”

“When they leave here, they can honestly open up a salon,” she said.

Day and evening classes are offered, with programs spanning five quarters and two years respectively.

To enroll in the cosmetology program, or any course of study at HGTC, contact the admissions office at (478) 275-6589 or visit www.heartofgatech.edu.

In honor of Constitution Week, the Heart of Georgia Technical College Student Government Association held a U.S. Constitution Quiz. The winner from the Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center campus was Shirley McCrimmon, a student in the criminal justice program. Shown is Dr. Howard Abney, dean, presenting an American Flag to Ms. McCrimmon.

C. Dean Alford, TCSG State Board Chair and President and Chief Executive Officer of Allied Energy Services Keynote Speaker at HGTC Graduation

C. Dean Alford, state board chair of the Technical College System of Georgia and president and chief executive officer of Allied Energy Services, is slated to be the keynote speaker at the Heart of Georgia Technical College graduation ceremony.

Mr. Alford is known nationally for his entrepreneurship and strategic planning expertise and has been personally responsible for the formation of six startup companies. In addition, he has published numerous articles and has lectured throughout the United States and Canada on the subject of energy policy and utility issues.

Mr. Alford earned his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech and currently serves on several boards at the College. He is a licensed professional engineer and in 1989, the Georgia Consulting Engineering Council named him Engineer of the Year in Private practice.

Education is very important to Mr. Alford and he has previously served as a member of the State Board of Education for the State of Georgia, has chaired the Governor’s Investing in Excellent Education Taskforce, and in January 2007 was appointed to the Technical College System of Georgia state board, where he currently serves as its chairman.

Mr. Alford is an alumnus of the Regional Leadership Institute class of 1994 and is very involved in several community activities. He was also a five-term member of the Georgia House of Representatives.

The HGTC graduation ceremony is free and open to the public and will be held October 8, 7:00 pm in the DuBose Porter Business and Industry Center in Dublin.

HGTC instructor passes CST exam

Heart of Georgia Technical College surgical technology program chair Diane Wooten recently met requirements to earn Certified Surgical Technologist certification.

“For me to acquire my certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist is the milestone in my life that makes me proud to be a Certified Surgical Technologist and to share that with the students here at Heart of Georgia Technical College and this community gives me great honor,” she said of the recent certification.

Allied Health Department Chair, Sylvia Rozier, emphasized the importance of the certification to the department. “The certification of the program chair is a vital component of the program becoming accredited. Heart of Georgia Technical College has successfully completed steps toward becoming an accredited Surgical Technology Program through a national accrediting agency for Surgical Technology,” she commented.

Wooten took the three-part exam in June.

The computer-based CST exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions broken down into three testing parts. The first part of the exam focuses on what is known as peri-operative care, or the phases before, during and after a surgical procedure. The second portion focuses on additional duties, and the last part deals with basic science.

According to the Web site for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, the certifying agency for surgical technologists, passing the exam and receiving certification “demonstrates that the individual meets the national standard for knowledge that underlies Surgical Technology and First Assistant practice.”

“The choice to become certified exhibits pride in the profession, the desire to be recognized for mastery of scientific principles, as well as an ongoing commitment to quality patient care,” the site reads.

HGTC’s surgical technology diploma program prepares students for entry-level positions as surgical technologists under the supervision of qualified surgical professionals. The program develops the individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities required for employment, career growth, personal development, and continued learning.

Upon completion of the program, surgical technologists help in preparing the operating room by setting up surgical instruments, equipment and sterile drapes, as well as maintaining a sterile field at all times before and during the surgical procedure. Assisting the surgical team with putting on sterile gowns and gloves is another skill required. During the surgical procedures, a surgical technologist will pass instruments and sterile supplies to the surgeon and must learn to anticipate the instrument needs of the surgeon.

According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, the surgical technology field is expected to grow 24 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Wooten says the exam is a means to keep up to date on the changing technology in the profession in an effort to relay the information to her students in the classroom.

“We must keep abreast of all the latest technology that is growing so rapidly to keep in competition with the everyday changes that occur in the operating room.”

Pictured: Wooten and students in the Surgical Technology lab.