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RHOP

Clinical Laboratory Science - Medical Technology

Options

The Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) currently has options in clinical laboratory science (medical techology), dental hygiene, dentistry, medial technology, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and radiography. The information contained on this page pertains only to medical technology. For information on the other options, make a new selection from the Health Professions options page, call 800-242-3766, or email hpoffice@csc.edu.

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for RHOP, the applicant MUST:

1. Be a rural Nebraska resident (Omaha and Lincoln areas are excluded).
2. Be a Nebraska high school graduate.
3. Apply to only the Chadron State College OR Wayne State College RHOP program.
4. Be committed to practice in a rural Nebraska area.
5. Be enrolled at CSC for the entirety of their discipline guidelines.
6. If a nontraditional student: must be willing to begin their work at CSC as a freshman, regardless of previous education.

December 1 Deadline

Applications must be completed on-line, printed & together with three letters of recommendation, a copy of ACT scores, and transcripts submitted via mail to the Chadron State College Health Professions Office. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify a complete application prior to the December 1 deadline. Click here for an application.

Program Characteristics

Three years of study at Chadron followed by one year of medical technology education at UNMC are required. The fourth year is spent in clinical study through the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The first three months of the clinical curriculum are provided by UNMC at a student laboratory site located at the University of Nebraska at Kearney or at UNMC in Omaha. The last nine months of clinical education are provided by UNMC at approved affiliate clinical sites in Nebraska. A Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology will be granted by UNMC upon successful completion of the clinical program. Graduates are eligible to take national board certification examinations in medical technology upon completion of the program. The application of college credit earned through previous college work, CLEP or high school courses for college credit under an Advanced Placement curriculum will be determined on an individual basis.

Selection Guidelines

Numerous factors are a part of the selection process. For the Rural Health Opportunities Program, special consideration will be given to applicants who:

• Want to become clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists.
• Demonstrate academic potential.
• Are from rural areas of Nebraska.
• Are committed to returning to rural areas of Nebraska to practice. 

Interviews

Interviews will be approximately 20-30 minutes in length, informal and conducted by faculty from UNMC and CSC. The interviewers are interested in learning as much about the applicant as possible, and in answering any questions they may have regarding Chadron State College, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, or the Rural Health Opportunities Program. The interviews will be held on the CSC campus. Each person being interviewed will receive a letter stating the specific time and location for the interview.

Final Selection

RHOP Positions: Up to three applicants will be selected to fill the positions in the program for the next class.

Alternate Positions: Up to three applicants will be selected as alternates. If a Medical Technology/RHOP vacancy occurs during the first two years of the four-year cycle, a qualified student currently enrolled at Chadron State College who is on the Medical Technology/RHOP Alternate List is selected. Any Medical Technology/RHOP vacancies which occur during the junior year are not filled.

All applicants will be notified of their status as soon as possible.

Career Promotional Activities

Each student accepted into the program must complete the following activities as they are scheduled: 

• Attend credit and non-credit UNMC-conducted video conferences and classes.
• Visit the University of Nebraska Medical Center for tours and seminars.
• Visit, work or volunteer in health care settings.
• Develop a professional association with one or more practicing medical technologists.
• Participate in on-campus activities for health professions students. 

Progress Evaluation

Course Work
Each student accepted into the program must:

• Follow the specific curriculum designed for this program.
• Complete courses in a timely manner in order to enter the professional program as scheduled. 

Program Standards

• The student’s overall Grade Point Average (GPA) must be at or above a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• The student must achieve a grade of "B" or higher in all science and mathematics courses required in the program of study. Should a student’s performance fall below either of the program standards, they will be placed on academic probation. The student must meet with the appropriate academic advisor to develop a recovery program. Probation must be cleared by the School Dean in conjunction with the UNMC program director prior to the last semester at CSC. Any student not clearing probation in a proper and timely manner will be dismissed from the RHOP program.

Journal

Each student is required to keep a journal of his or her professional activities and experiences at CSC. The journals will be turned in to the CSC Health Professions Office at the end of each semester.

Benefits of the Program

If selected as a participant in the program, each student will:

• Receive early acceptance to the Medical Technology Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center as the student begins the pre-medical technology curriculum at Chadron State College.
• Follow the specific curriculum at CSC, which will prepare the student for medical technology studies at UNMC.
• Be recognized for the desire to become a medical technologist. 

For course work requirements while at CSC please see the degree programs page.