The Degree Programs & Courses Offered

Medical
Medical Assisting
Health Information Technology
Health Care Administration
Medical Billing
Vocational Nursing
Surgical Technology
Ultrasound Technology
Registered Nursing
Biotechnology
Massage Therapy

Dental
Dental Assisting
Dental Hygiene

Pharmacy
Pharmacy Technology

Veterinary
Veterinary Technology

Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice

Graphic Design
Graphic Design
Design Drafting

Medical Assisting
As a Medical Assistant, you pursue an exciting and rewarding career in the field of medicine, and play a critical role in today’s health care system. The Medical Assisting programs consist of four areas of training: clinical, administrative, laboratory, and externship. The curriculum is based on the guidelines prescribed by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Students work on personal computers using word-processing, typing, and keyboarding software. The program emphasizes professionalism, client relations, critical thinking, adherence to the ethical and legal requirements of a medical practice, and proper communication skills. The program also prepares the student to sit for the national certification exam for medical assistants. In addition, graduates will have met the state requirements for injection administration and venipuncture. Upon completion, the graduate is well-prepared for an entry-level position in a variety of medical settings. Employment opportunities include positions in physicians and other health care practitioners' offices, clinics, and other health care facilities.

Health Information Technology
As a Health Information Technician, you enter two of the largest and fastest growing career fields in the United States; information technology and medicine. The Health Information Technology program can prepare you to succeed in a variety of positions in numerous administrative health care environments. This program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work both in the medical office and hospital environment. An Administrative Medical Assistant who is motivated and ambitious may work in any number of administrative or supervisory positions. Career choices emanating from this course of study include occupations such as: outpatient clinic manager; medical office manager; insurance biller/coder; medical records manager; administrative assistant; surgery scheduler; admitting clerk; physician, dentist or hospital team member; or medical transcriptionist.

Health Care Administration
Health care is the largest and fastest growing career field in the country, and the demand for well-trained administrators has never been greater. The Health Care Administration programs can get you started on a rewarding career in a medical or dental front office or hospital office setting. The program specializes in administration, with an emphasis on the practice of various medical and health office skills. In addition, the program presents medical terminology, introduction to anatomy, pharmacology, professional development, and the measuring of vital signs. The student also practices current skills for word processing and medical office procedures. Field experience during the externship is an important part of the program.

Medical Billing
Medical Billing and Medical Administration is one of the fastest growing career fields, and job opportunities are excellent. The Medical Billing degree program can prepare you for a successful career as a medical biller in a medical or dental office, hospital, clinic, or by an independent billing company. Instruction consists of theory and practice to meet the competencies identified as necessary for entry-level employment. Students will learn to prepare various health claims forms required by the insurance industry using medical billing software. The emphasis is on the high level of responsibility required and the attention to detail and accuracy needed to be a competent medical biller.

Vocational Nursing
Vocational Nurses play a vital role in the delivery of health care, and demand for qualified Vocational Nurses has never been greater. The Vocational Nursing programs can prepare you for a rewarding career as vocational nurse who is competent to practice under the guidance of a registered nurse or licensed physician/dentist in a variety of structured institutional and community settings. The program develops a nurse who is able to provide nursing care for clients who are experiencing common, well-defined health problems. It provides a foundation for continued acquisition and utilization of knowledge necessary for success of the student as a vocational nurse and as an individual or to proceed into a Registered Nursing program. Employment opportunities for graduates include positions in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, doctor's offices, clinics, correctional facilities, and home health agencies.

Surgical Technology
Surgical Technologists play a vital role in life-saving surgical procedures. Requiring a high level of training and competence, this demanding career is very rewarding both personally and professionally. The Surgical Technology program includes both the didactic (classroom) and clinical instruction necessary to excel as a Surgical Technologist. The curriculum provides instruction in the following subjects: surgical terminology, techniques, and instrumentation; microbiology; anatomy and physiology; pharmacology; legal, moral, and ethical concepts; and preoperative and postoperative care. Employment opportunities for graduates include positions as a Surgical Technologist in: hospital operating rooms, surgery centers, delivery rooms, birthing centers, cast rooms, emergency departments, ambulatory care areas, and central supply departments of hospitals.

Ultrasound Technology
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers work with the most sophisticated and advanced medical equipment, and perform a critical function in maintaining the health of a wide variety of patients. The Ultrasound Technology program includes both the didactic and clinical instruction necessary to perform required duties of a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. The 16-month program encompasses classroom instruction, laboratory training, and hands-on experience and covers General Sonography with the main focus on abdominal, obstetrical, gynecological ultrasound with an introduction to vascular ultrasound. Graduates from this program receive sufficient instruction of general ultrasound to acquire entry-level knowledge and skills to pass the RDMS national registry examination.

Registered Nursing
The Registered Nursing Program is designed for currently licensed Vocational Nurses who want to expand their skills and accelerate their careers by becoming Registered Nurses. The program produces registered nurses with a solid conceptual and technical knowledge, understanding of both LVN and RN scopes of practice, nursing competency, intuitive and insightful client interactions, advanced skills, and unquestionable professional ethics. Graduates will be equipped to provide quality health care to acutely ill clients in a variety of acute health care settings, including hospitals, long-term convalescent care facilities, and ambulatory care facilities. The program also prepares the graduate nurse to take the National Council licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a Registered Nurse. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the graduate earns an Associate in Science in Nursing. Graduates of the Associate of Science in Nursing program may be employed as a Registered Nurse in areas which focus on restoration of health, preventive care, and palliative care.

Biotechnology
The Biotechnology Laboratory Technician is a respected professional who plays a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The Biotechnology Laboratory Technician Program provides students with extensive laboratory experience in such areas as documentation, instrumentation, chromatography, microbiology, fermentation, protein purification methods, and recombinant DNA methodologies. Graduates of this program might find employment in many Biotechnology industries, including: research and development, clinical research, manufacturing and production, and production quality systems. Career opportunities include: Agricultural/Biological Technicians, Laboratory Assistants, Documentation Clerks, Quality Control Inspectors, Safety Specialists, Validation Technicians, Cell Culture & Fermentation Technicians, Instrumentation/ Calibration Technicians, Production Planners, Purification Technicians.

Massage Therapy
Massage Therapists are highly sought-after for their skills in rehabilitation, pain relief and relaxation therapy. The Massage Therapy programs can prepare you for a rewarding career as a massage therapist in a spa or clinical setting or in private practice. The program introduces a variety of massage therapy techniques to address specific problem areas and concerns presented by clients. Techniques include Swedish Massage, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Shiatsu, Sports Massage, Hydrotherapy, and site-specific treatment techniques. The program incorporates integrated training in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, interpersonal communication skills, and clinic experience and covers business, marketing, advertising, presentation skills, and professional boundaries and ethics. Employment opportunities include positions in massage offices and private practice, physicians' offices, hospitals and medical centers, chiropractic offices, nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, health clubs and fitness centers, spas and resorts, hotels, cruise ships, beauty and hair salons, pain management centers, and sports team facilities.

Dental Assisting
Dental Assistants face exciting challenges on a daily basis, and play a critical role in today’s health care system. The Dental Assisting program can prepare you to be a capable and skillful dental assistant. Students learn to function as a vital partner to the dentist while following guidelines of the Dental Board of California. Students become skillful at taking x-rays, making dental impressions, as well as performing coronal polish, restorative, oral surgery, and orthodontic procedures. The program includes emphasis on patient preparation, law, ethics, administrative duties, telephone techniques, and computer skills. Dental Assisting students are provided with the training necessary to obtain an x-ray certificate and a coronal polish certificate, which are approved by the Committee on Dental Auxiliaries of the Dental Board of California. After successful completion of the program, graduates are able to apply for and take the State of California Dental Board examination for licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant. Employment opportunities include positions in private dental offices, private and governmental hospitals, state and local public health departments, clinics, and dental schools.

Dental Hygiene
The Dental Hygiene program prepares students to excel in the challenging and rewarding position of a Dental Hygienist. The instruction includes assessment of a patient’s general and oral health, removal of plaque, stain and calculus (tartar), dental radiography (x-rays), administration of local anesthesia, application of preventative agents (fluoride), oral hygiene instruction, and dietary counseling, among other knowledge and skills. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to take national written and regional clinical exams leading to licensure. Career opportunities for graduates include: clinical positions in dental offices, public health agencies, hospitals and community dental clinics; educational and administrative positions; and research and marketing of dental-related products.

Pharmacy Technology
Prepare to excel in the fast-paced and demanding field of health care as a Pharmacy Technician. The Pharmacy Technology program provides the technical and practical training needed to excel (upon licensure) as an entry-level assistant to a licensed pharmacist. The program provides the student with the basic knowledge of, and practice in, pharmacy calculations, drug distribution systems, and preparation of sterile dosage forms. The program uses computer skills necessary in a pharmacy practice and covers pharmacology, pharmaceutical, and medical terminology. The graduate will be fully prepared to take the CPhT exam. Employment opportunities for graduates include positions in hospitals, medical centers, skilled nursing facilities, private pharmacies, outpatient clinics, and pharmaceutical companies.

Veterinary Technology
Veterinary science is one of the most challenging and rewarding career fields in medicine today. The Veterinary Technology degree program can give you the practical training you need to function as a skilled entry-level employee in a veterinary medical setting. This program is carefully balanced between theory and practical instruction, including clinical rotation and field experience during an externship. The program emphasizes fundamentals of chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology and the information needed to meet the requirements for the California Registered Veterinary Technician State Board Examination. Veterinary technicians work in all phases of animal care, including surgical nursing, laboratory procedures, and office administration. Employment opportunities include positions in veterinary offices or hospitals, biomedical research institutions, zoological facilities, and the pharmaceutical and pet care industries.

Criminal Justice
The field of Criminal Justice offers some of the most exciting and challenging job opportunities, and is currently one of the fastest growing career fields. The Criminal Justice program, with emphasis in Criminal Investigation/Loss Prevention Security, can prepare you to work in a variety of positions in the law enforcement field, security, loss prevention and emergency medical care in the public or private sectors. The instruction includes comprehensive investigation studies, practical applications techniques (including crime scene forensics), analysis of security systems, and physical protection of persons and property in hospitals, industrial and retail businesses and government public safety agencies. The investigation of white-collar crime and the analysis of deviant behavior will enhance both criminal investigation and loss prevention security. Employment opportunities include all federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as private investigation and security firms.

Graphic Design
Graphic design is an exciting and rewarding career that combines technical knowledge with artistic expression. The Graphic Design program provides students with essential skills and training for an entry-level position in graphic design, publications and the developing area of multimedia, 3D animation and web design. Upon completion, the student will have gained a working and hands-on knowledge of graphic design, desktop publishing, web design, and multimedia authoring. Some of the occupations available to the graduate of this program include computer graphic artist, graphic designer, illustrator, interface designer, web designer/developer, production artist, and desktop publisher. Completion of this associate-level degree program provides graduates with the knowledge and opportunities in mid-level positions or beyond.

Design Drafting
Opportunities arise everyday for individuals with the artistic and technical skills needed to draft designs. The Design Drafting program provides training in the fundamental principles of technical drawing, standard procedures for producing designed working drawings of a structure and mechanical devices indicating dimensions, fasteners and joining requirements and other engineering data, and proper drafting standards of construction drawings, floor plans, elevations and diagrammatic drawings as required for manufacture and repair of structures. Completion of this program provides graduates with skills and knowledge for the following entry-level, trainee positions: Junior Drafter, Drafter, CADD Drafter, CADD Operator, CADD Librarian, Architectural Design Drafter, Structural Engineering Design Drafter, Cartographic Design Drafter, Landscape Architectural Drafter, Kitchen and Bath Design Drafter.

Contact Western Career College today for information and for an admissions application by filling out our form.