Healthcare Certificates

The Dental Assistant Certificate I Program is designed to prepare the student for an entry-level position as a dental assistant and to provide additional coursework necessary for transfer to a dental hygiene program if desired. Students gain knowledge and skills through classroom instruction and lab activities. General education courses introduce the student to basic computer and interpersonal communication skills.

A dental assistant works under the supervision of a dentist by performing a variety of office management, patient care, and laboratory duties, often working chair-side as dentists examine and treat patients. In addition, the dental assistant maintains patient records, promotes comfort and safety in the dental chair, obtains oral x-rays, sterilizes instruments, and instructs patients on proper dental health.

The successful dental assistant must have strong communication skills, display a positive attitude, observe strict confidentiality rules, and possess motor skill coordination necessary for safe patient care.

Explore gainful employment information, where you can find occupational information, estimated cost and time of program completion, and job placement opportunities. 

Program Requirements

General Education Requirements

Program Electives

Students must choose a minimum of four (4) credits from the following courses:

The Dental Assistant Certificate II Program is designed to prepare the student for an entry-level position as a dental assistant. The curriculum provides the student with an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through classroom instruction and hands-on activities in the campus lab.

A dental assistant works under the supervision of a dentist by performing a variety of office management, patient care and laboratory duties, often working chair-side as dentists examine and treat patients. In addition, the dental assistant maintains patient records, promotes comfort and safety in the dental chair, obtains oral x-rays, sterilizes instruments, and instructs patients on proper dental health.

The successful dental assistant must have strong communication skills, display a positive attitude, observe strict confidentiality rules, and possess motor skill coordination necessary for safe patient care.

Program Requirements

Be prepared to work as a member of the healthcare team in ambulatory care facilities, such as outpatient centers, clinics and physicians' offices, through the medical assistant certificate program.

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks under the direction of a physician or licensed healthcare provider. 

Learn to draw blood, collect lab specimens, administer medications, document in health records and assist in clinical procedures. Medical assistants may also take medical histories and record vital signs.

Develop knowledge and skills through classroom instruction, skills lab activities and clinical practicum hours. Be introduced to topics in medical terminology, medical law and ethics, as well as patient safety.

A criminal background check and drug screen are required to be eligible for practicum experiences. 

Explore gainful employment information, where you can find occupational information, estimated cost and time of program completion, and job placement opportunities. 

Program Requirements

General Education Requirements

Learn administrative skills required to perform duties as front office staff in hospitals, clinics, private practices or other healthcare settings. Front office medical support professionals are typically the first point of contact with patients. They facilitate the smooth running of the office. Their unique role combines both direct and indirect patient care duties. Responsibilities vary depending on the type of facility and may include scheduling appointments, arranging clinical procedures, processing insurance claims, medical coding, maintaining patient records and entering data. Students are introduced to software applications, medical terminology, medical law and ethics, and professional communication skills. This unique 12-credit certificate may be completed in as little as one semester.

Program Requirements

The healthcare industry provides a variety of high demand occupations that require a broad range of knowledge, skills and abilities in general education and health science concepts. A Health Science certificate allows the student to complete coursework typically required in most healthcare degrees.

Explore gainful employment information, where you can find occupational information, estimated cost and time of program completion, and job placement opportunities. 

Program Requirements

General Education Requirements

Patient Care Technicians are multi-skilled nursing assistants who work closely with patients and their families. They assist doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals by providing vital support to patients with a variety of diseases, injuries, or conditions. The duties performed vary from state to state and depend on the type of healthcare facility.

Prepare for a career as a PCT in as little as nine months! The curriculum provides the student with opportunities to develop knowledge and skills through classroom instruction, hands-on lab activities, and supervised practicum experiences.

As a core component of the program, you will undergo the training required to become a certified nursing assistant where you will learn basic patient care skills related to bedside care and activities of daily living. Classroom instruction also includes basic life support training.

Gain valuable experience in specialized areas, including basic electrocardiography and performing blood draws and specimen collection. You will learn expanded patient care techniques in respiratory procedures, sterilization and infection control, wound care, and enteral nutrition. The program emphasizes medical law and ethics, along with the professional communication skills necessary to interact effectively with patients and members of the healthcare team. 

Program Requirements

Credits earned in the Patient Care Technician Program may be transferred to the Medical Assistant Program at CWC for the student wishing to expand their career options. Visit with an academic advisor to plan your program of study.

Entry Requirements and Proficiencies

• Central Wyoming College admission application.
• Cleared criminal background check from the designated vendor prior to clinical assignment.
• Negative drug screen prior to clinical assignment.
• Immunizations: TB skin test, MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, Tdap, and seasonal influenza

Additionally, the Patient Care Technician curriculum requires the student to possess a combination of physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities to satisfactorily perform the duties and functions of the position.

Career Outlook

Earning a Patient Care Technician Certificate may be an important step on a career ladder. The program prepares the graduate for healthcare careers, including

• Patient care Technician
• Nursing Assistant
• Telemetry Monitor Technician
• Phlebotomy Technician
• Emergency Department Technician
• Dialysis Technician
• Rehabilitation Center Technician

You may work in hospitals, clinics, dialysis facilities, home health care agencies, and other healthcare settings. Salaries vary depending upon experience, location of employment, job title and duties, and certification status.

Optional Professional Certifications:

Optional certification exams may be taken at the completion of the program through the National Center for Competency Testing. The student wishing to apply for certification must have a United States high school diploma or equivalent. Successful completion of the Patient Care Technician Program does not guarantee certification. Each certification requires paying a fee to the certifying agency and passing an examination.

While certification may be voluntary, some states require certification in order to work in certain environments. Professional certification tells potential employers you meet industry standards and may give you an edge when it comes to hiring considerations.

Graduates of the Patient Care Technician Program have the following certification options:

• State Certified Nursing Assistant
• National Certified Patient Care Technician
• National Certified Phlebotomy Technician
• National Certified Electrocardiography Technician 

A career as a phlebotomy technician is rewarding for someone who desires to work directly with patients and the healthcare team. Phlebotomists obtain blood samples from patients for laboratory testing and analysis.

This 2-credit course combines classroom instruction with hands-on lab activities. CWC is partnered with local hospitals and health fairs to provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience.

You will draw blood specimens, prepare samples for lab analysis, and assemble and maintain medical instruments such as needles, blood vials and centrifuges. Because phlebotomists collect blood and are at risk for exposure to a variety of diseases, they must be trained in laboratory safety and the strict policies and precautions to help ensure their safety and that of their patients.

Upon successful completion, you are eligible to take the national phlebotomy certification examination by the National Center for Competency Testing. Career opportunities for phlebotomists include hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, public health agencies, laboratories and blood banks.