Clinical Requirements

The clinical practicum is a supervised, hands-on experience at a hospital, physician's office or other health care setting that has partnered with Wake Tech. A staff member who is usually certified in the field serves as the student's preceptor at the site.

Each Health Sciences program has a specific number of clinical hours that students are required to complete, and the point within the program when clinicals are scheduled varies:

• Computed Tomography – 480 hours over two semesters
• Dental Assisting – 384 hours over two semesters
• Dental Hygiene – 96 pre-clinical hours during the first semester, and 624 clinical hours over final four semesters
• LPN Advanced Placement Nursing – 480 hours over three semesters
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging – 912 hours over three semesters
• Mammography – 240 hours in the final semester
• Medical Assisting – 240 hours in the third semester
• Medical Laboratory Technology – 766 hours over the final three semesters
• Neurodiagnostic Technology – 724 hours over three semesters (Check NDT Clinical Policy Manual for more information)
• Nursing – 816 hours over five semesters
• Pharmacy Technology – 384 hours over two semesters
• Practical Nursing – 384 hours over three semesters (96 hours for NUR-101 in acute care and long-term care settings; 144 hours for NUR-102 in surgical, pediatric and maternal/newborn settings; 144 hours for NUR-103 in a behavioral health setting and simulated client care experiences)
• Radiography – 1,200 hours over five semesters
• Respiratory Therapy – 864 hours over five semesters
• Sonography – 1,296 hours over five semesters

Clinical days usually are scheduled on weekdays, and students are provided the clinical schedule at the start of each semester.

Wake Tech's policy is that no student enrolled in a Health Sciences curriculum be allowed to refuse a clinical assignment that is considered normal clinical duty by the host provider. Refusal will be grounds for dismissal from the program.

While on practicum, the clinical coordinator, instructor and/or department head will monitor the student. This may or may not include communication with the extern/student and/or site supervisor.

Clinical sites, both on and off campus, require documentation of criminal background checks, drug testing and health and immunization information. Wake Tech requires this information to be on file for each Health Sciences student before they begin the clinical portion of their program of study.

• Physical examination form
• Criminal background check
• Drug testing
• General immunization checklist (some programs may require additional vaccinations or tests)

Most Health Sciences programs require students to obtain and maintain the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider certification. Also known as BLS for the Healthcare Provider, this is the only course approved by Wake Tech's clinical sites.

Most Health Sciences programs require students to have health insurance coverage for clinical instruction. Students must provide proof of coverage.

NOTE: Health and immunization requirements for clinical sites are frequently updated and subject to change. For more information, contact Clinical Compliance Administrator Barbara Smith at [email protected] or 919-747-0105.

Each program has its own clinical partnerships, and most clinical facilities are located in the Triangle region, but some are as far away as the Wilmington and Greensboro areas.  Any expenses incurred – fees for parking or the use of public transportation, etc. – are the responsibility of the student.