The Clinical Medical Assistant certificate is a Career Technical Education (CTE) program that includes competency based training to prepare to assist the physician in the medical back office or clinic. Students are taught and demonstrate skills including: electrocardiography (ECG), specimen collection, venipuncture, capillary puncture, medication administration, injections, medical, surgical asepsis, preparing and assisting with minor office surgery and physical examination procedures. Students practice documentation ensuring accurate data collection, quality results and regulatory compliance. Several courses are shared with additional Several courses are shared with health science and may apply towards earning the Associate Degree in Health Sciences.

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomy Program will introduce all concepts relevant to the pre-analytical and analytical (waived) laboratory testing phases, including phlebotomy. Emphasis will be placed upon biohazard handling safety, specimen collection (blood/ phlebotomy and non-blood specimens) and equipment, blood and non-blood specimen processing and evaluation for testing, diagnostic laboratory terminology, laboratory information systems, quality control and quality assurance for waived tests, specimen send/outs processing, and professionalism/ soft-skills for laboratory employees. Basic and advanced phlebotomy topics and phlebotomy clinical practicum will be introduced. Individuals who have earned a High School Diploma (must be 18 years or older) or a GED may apply to this program. 

Students enrolled in the MLT 413NC course are required to obtain the following clearances before participation in the program: health clearances (immunizations, drug screen, and TB testing), a background check. Students enrolled in MLS 413NC course are also required to obtain a non-expired BLS card and malpractice insurance. Students may be required to participate in an interview selection process at a maximum of 3 approved training sites for the MLT 413NC course. Program completers will be eligible to take the state certification exam approved by the California Department of Public Health/ Laboratory Field Services branch to obtain a Certified Phlebotomy Technician-1 license required for employment. Certification enables employment in various diagnostic laboratory settings in the hospital, the physician office, reference, forensic, and research institutions.

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program provides students with the knowledge and the skills required to provide basic nursing care skills and learn effective communication for understanding psychosocial/cultural differences of patients. This program focuses on the role of the Certified Nursing Assistant including: safety precautions, emergency procedures, infection control and prevention, client rights to recognize and report abuse and neglect, activities of daily living, personal hygiene, nutrition, safe food handling, body mechanics, and transferring patients. This program also prepares students to take the examination for the Certified Nursing Assistant issued by the California State Department of Health Services. Certification as a Nurse Assistant prepares students for employment in acute and long term and skilled health care facilities, residences, and medical offices. This program requires participants to obtain an American Heart Association Basic Life Support (AHA BLS) provider card, complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting.

The Athletic Training Occupational Skills Award prepares the student for careers in Athletic Training and Physical Therapy for skills necessary for entry-level positions in Physical Therapy Clinics and provides foundational preparation for students interested in Athletic Training programs. Skills learned in this program are additionally valuable to students interested in such professions as fitness trainer, coach, or teacher in the physical education and kinesiology field. Students will learn basic exercise physiology, be able to identify common athletic injuries and causes, and be able to apply specific stretching, strengthening, and rehabilitation techniques for preventative and rehabilitative care. In addition, students will become cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) certified and learn how to write subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (SOAP) notes and injury reports.

The American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Certificate is designed to prepare the student to be able to communicate with the Deaf Community in a variety of settings. Their sets of language skills and cultural knowledge allows them to pursue further study in fields such as theater, Health Science/medical, law and Education just to name a few. Proficiency in ASL is valuable to professionals in special education, health sciences, audiology, and speech therapy. With the completion of the national certificate exam under RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf), the students will be preparing for occupations as agency interpreters, classroom interpreters, theatre interpreters, and assistants/aids to members of the Deaf community.

The goal of the program is to meet the needs of the healthcare community by preparing individuals living in communities that lack educational resources in Polysomnography.  This program will prepare individuals for entry-level employment opportunities as professional and competent Polysomnographic Technologists.

Students must secure an appropriate clinical site prior to beginning the program. Please factor into your plan that it may take a couple of months for the school to secure a clinical site contract.

Use the listing of accredited labs provided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to select your top two clinical site choices.

Program Outcome

✓ Polysomnography technologists are employed in Sleep Disorders Centers which can be located in medical centers, hospitals or clinic/office settings. The Certificate of Achievement in Polysomnography offers instruction which includes lectures, laboratory experience on campus, clinical experience at accredited sleep centers and physician lectures.

Students may earn a Certificate of Completion in any of the subject areas specified.

Program Outcomes

✓ Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and experience to identify, assess, and participate in many entry-level construction trades.

✓ Be prepared to work in the construction field in positions including, but not limited to work areas such as inspection, management, and as hands-on skilled tradespeople.

The Alcohol and Drug Studies program is accredited by the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) and it integrates theory, knowledge, and practical experience in the development of skills necessary to work with individuals and families affected by Substance Use Disorders (SUD), as well as employers of individuals affected by SUD. The Alcohol and Drug Studies program prepares students to take the exam for Certified Addiction Counselors with a state-approved certifying organization. This program option combines the Human Services behavioral core skills training and clinical supervised experiential learning in beginning and advanced practicums in SUD fieldwork settings. The Alcohol and Drug Studies program prepares students for career development in field of behavioral health and the helping professions.

Potential Careers: Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor, Case Manager, Community Outreach Worker, Halfway House Worker, Intake Specialist, Rehabilitation Case Worker, Residential/House Manager.

The Administrative Medical Assistant program prepares the student for employment as an administrative (front office) medical assistant in a medical office, clinic or outpatient center. This certificate program is designed to help meet industry demand, offering education and training on soft skills, appointment scheduling, reception duties, managing patient medical records, insurance authorizations, reimbursement and coding for the medical office or clinic. Students complete 160 hours of supervised training in a medical office or clinic. All students must meet background clearance and health requirements prior to enrolling in MA 217A. A minimum grade of "C" in all courses is required. Letter grade only. Upon completion of this certificate program, students may sit for the California Certification Board of Medical Assistant (CCMBA) certification examination (CCMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coder (AAPC), Certified Practice Coder (CPC) certification examination.

The Acute Care Nursing Assistant Certificate of Completion focuses on the application of principles of nursing assistant care necessary to meet the hygiene, comfort, and safety needs of patients in an acute care environment. Current CNA state certification is required or a recent graduate of the Saddleback College CNA program pending certification. The Acute Care Nursing Assistant Certificate prepares students to work safely as nursing assistants in acute care settings such as in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, or post-acute facilities.