Graduates from three Tyler Junior College health science programs have achieved 100-percent pass rates on their national certification exams.
Health Information Technology
For the last four years, TJC Health Information Technology students have passed the national exam — which is offered through the American Health Information Management Association — with a 100-percent pass rate.
The national average pass rate for that same period was 73 percent.
Additionally, all TJC graduates either gained immediate employment or advanced to pursue their bachelor’s degrees.
“We know each student’s commitment, perseverance and determination led to this achievement, and we congratulate them all,” said Nancy Rendon, TJC HIT program coordinator/professor.
Physical Therapist Assistant
The TJC Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program has held a 100-percent pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) since the program graduated its first cohort of students in 2017.
The national average for the initial attempt pass rate in 2023 was 81.6 percent, and
TJC graduates have exceeded the national average every year.
“Also, 100 percent of our graduates have been employed as a PTA within one year of graduation,” said Dr. Christine Melius, TJC PTA department chair/professor.
“We are incredibly proud of our graduates. Evidence of their hard work and dedication to their community and the field of physical therapy can be seen in their NPTE pass rates, employment rates and in feedback provided by employers.”
Radiologic Technology
Since 2002, the TJC Radiologic Technology program has had 414 graduates pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists credentialing exam, with 412 passing on the first attempt and two passing on their second attempt.
For 20 of 22 years, TJC has achieved a 100-percent, first-time board registry pass rate.
By comparison, between 2013 and 2023, the national average first-time pass rate has never been above 89.6 percent and has been as low as 83.5.
“In recent years, 100 percent of our graduates who seek employment are employed upon graduation,” said Nathan Stallings, TJC Radiologic Technology department chair/professor. “Our faculty work very hard to ensure that our graduates are ready to be successful in their careers. We can’t seem to graduate enough people to satisfy local demand and are making plans to increase enrollment for the cohort that begins in Fall 2024.”
Dr. Elizabeth Olivier, dean of the TJC School of Nursing and Health Sciences, said, “These numbers are a testament to the hard work of our students and our dedicated professors who are training the next generation of healthcare professionals to be the best of the best. We are proud of them all and know that these graduates are entering the workforce well prepared to make a difference in the lives of their patients.”
For more information on programs in the TJC School of Nursing & Health Sciences, go to TJC.edu/NHS.