Employment is expected to grow 36 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. In fact, dental assistants are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations over the 2008-18 projection period. Dental assistants are vital members of the dental health care team. They provide support, reduce patient anxiety, simplify treatment procedures, and improve the overall quality of patient care. Dental assisting is a career that offers opportunities for individuals seeking a career change.

Students in this certificate program will acquire professional skills needed to perform phlebotomy procedures (drawing blood). Students will learn how to perform medical asepsis techniques, venipuncture, patient identification, capillary finger sticks, and heel sticks.

Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by 31 percent. This course provides the student with skills that are important in assisting the pharmacist in the preparation and dispensing medication. Training is also provided in medication order processing, inventories, compounding, packaging, and use of a prescription balance, HIPAA privacy act and computers.