The brand-new Health Care Careers Center in Fort Collins is open for classes! Dubbed Grays Peak, this state-of-the-art facility houses all Nursing and Health Sciences and Wellness programs at the FRCC Larimer Campus. Most important, Grays Peak enables FRCC to offer high-quality education to students seeking to work in this growing field.
The need is dire
Healthcare is the No. 1 industry for job openings over the next 10 years, and FRCC has seen the rise in students interested in healthcare and nursing—as well as the demand for all kinds of trained healthcare professionals, from nurses to dental assistants. Grays Peak will allow the college to better meet the demand of the local healthcare industry and offer safe, technology-rich, hands-on education in a real-world setting.
In fact, Grays Peak boasts two nursing skills labs with 12 bed stations each; a high-fidelity simulation suite with practice rooms and simulation stations; a dental suite with a six-chair public-serving clinic, a skills lab, and an X-ray area; an emergency medical services skills lab; a kitchen suite for the integrative health nutrition programs; an integrative health skills lab with massage therapy and yoga space; a medical assisting and phlebotomy skills lab; a nurse aide and medical careers skills lab with 12 bed stations, a mid-fidelity simulation suite with two nursing home testing rooms, two nursing home practice rooms, and two doctor’s office simulation rooms; as well as study rooms, general classrooms, a biology classroom with prep lab, a commons area, and much more.
Programs for students who enjoy health, wellness, and helping others
What can students study at Grays Peak? Here’s an overview:
Dental Assisting – This rigorous certificate program can be completed in as little as one year. Students get practice at Grays Peak and during two clinical offsite internships. FRCC’s program is one of three programs in Colorado that is nationally accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dentistry Association. Read our recent blog about this program.
Emergency Medical Services – Students who want to work in an emergency setting can complete the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate—ideal for working in a fire department, ambulance service, hospital emergency room, or disaster relief setting—or the Clinical EMT certificate—ideal for a variety of healthcare or emergency medical service environments and someone working with patients under the supervision of a doctor or nurse. The EMT program prepares students for the National Registry of EMTs exam.
Integrative Health & Massage Therapy – Students come from around the country to study integrative health professions at FRCC, in large part due to the programs’ accreditations and affordability. Students can choose an A.A.S. in Integrative Health Professions, which prepares them to open a practice that offers wellness coaching, massage therapy, reflexology, yoga, and other similar services. Or, they can choose from one of several certificates in Aromatherapy, Integrative Health Professions, Yoga Teacher, Integrative Health Professions, or Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching—an approved Board-Certified Transition Program under the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching. The Massage Therapy and Reflexology certificate programs are on pause until 2021 due to COVID-19.
Medical Assisting – Students who like the idea of helping with physical exams and administering medication should explore the A.A.S. in Medical Assisting, which prepares them to work in the clinical and administrative areas. Over the past two years, graduates at FRCC Larimer Campus have achieved an impressive 100% pass rate on the national exam. There’s also an A.A.S. in Medical Office and Billing and a certificate in Medical Assisting.
Nurse Aide – Those interested in working in home healthcare, a long-term-care facility, or an acute-care facility—often working with elderly patients—should consider a Nurse Aide certificate. This program qualifies students to take the State Certification Exam to become a Certified Nurse Aide—and FRCC students have a 100% exam pass rate. The program has an impressive 90% job placement rate.
Nursing – The nursing program at FRCC Larimer Campus has several exciting options for those interested in entering this high-demand field. Students can choose from the Practical Nursing certificate and sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX®PN). They can choose to apply to the A.A.S. in Nursing and sit for the NCLEX®RN. FRCC also offers online dual enrollment for associate degree students seeking a BSN as well as an online RN-to-BSN program for working registered nurses. Check the website for other options. FRCC has been training nurses for more than 50 years, and graduates score among the highest pass rates on the national licensure exam of any nursing program in Colorado.
Patient Care Technician – This broad certificate program is perfect for students interested in exploring the patient side of healthcare—and prepares them to work in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term healthcare settings. Students can take the National Certified Patient Care Technician (NCPCT) exam when finished.
Phlebotomy – In one semester, students can complete the requirements for the Phlebotomy certificate and prepare to take the certifying exam. Phlebotomists draw blood and handle it for testing and work in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other health care settings.
Discover more about the Health Care Careers Center and Programs
Health care is a growing field with many career opportunities. Learn more about everything happening in the Health Care Careers Center at FRCC Larimer Campus at http://www.frontrange.edu/hccc.
