Horry-Georgetown Technical College introduces 2 new healthcare programs to meet growing industry needs
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) – Horry-Georgetown Technical College is implementing two new healthcare programs for current and future students.
The Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate program and the Electrocardiography Technician (EKG) Certificate program are set for the Summer of 2024 semester.
Both programs will be offered at HGTC’s Grand Strand and Georgetown locations.
HGTC Chair and Professor of Nursing, Shelia Locklair shared her thoughts.
“The importance of the jobs is we’re filling the gaps,” she said. “We’re meeting the needs of the community.”
The program is one semester. Once completed, graduates will be eligible to sit for the examination to be certified.
The decision to introduce the program was supported by a needs assessment previously conducted for the Patient Medical Assistant program.
The findings showed there was a significant demand for trained professionals in this field, reinforcing the relevance and necessity of both programs.
Locklair said this was the first time she presented a stand-alone course to that state.
“I feel like I’m making a contribution to the healthcare and an immediate contribution,”Locklair said.
Since the start of COVID, Locklair says she has seen first-hand the shortages of nurses and clinical medical assistants.
In 2021, the Association of American Medical Colleges estimated by 2034, there will be a storage of 17,000 to 48,000 primary care physicians.
Area hospitals like Conway Medical Center started a family medicine residency program, McLeod Health is opening a new primary care facility, and Tidelands Health has recruited 18 additional family medicine providers in the last two years to help with shortages.
“We’re really excited to bring this to our clinical partners like our local hospitals and physicians offices,” Locklair said.
Back in October, a $26 million piece of bipartisan legislation was proposed by Sens. Bernie Sanders and Roger Marshall that would increase training opportunities for doctors and nurses across the country.
HGTC said they are proud to bring new opportunities to current and future students.
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Gracie is a multimedia journalist at News 13 and is from Cleveland, Ohio. Gracie joined the team in June 2023 after graduating from the University of Alabama in May. Follow Gracie on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, & read more of her work here.
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