A Veterinary Assistant helps the Veterinarian or the Veterinarian Technician in their daily tasks. They may feed, water, and examine pets for signs of illness, disease, or injury; clean and disinfect cages and work areas, as well as sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment in laboratories, animal hospitals and clinics. This course combines 42 hours of classroom instruction with a 24-hour volunteer experience to provide a complete learning experience. Students must be at least 18 years of age and have completed high school or equivalent. The volunteer experience component requires students to volunteer their time (24 hours). Students will be responsible for coordinating their own volunteer experience.

Veterinary Assistant training can help you make a difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them, Our course will prepare you for a rewarding career working as a veterinary assistant in a veterinary hospital, animal shelter, or other environment that requires a background in animal sciences.

Required Text: Tasks For The Veterinary Assistant 4th Edition by Teresa Sonsthagen

ISBN-13: 978-1119466826 or ISBN-10: 1119466822

This course is WIOA Approved.

* Skip: Monday, June 10th,2024

This comprehensive course will prepare students to enter the pharmacy field and to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s PTCB exam. Technicians work in hospitals, home infusion pharmacies, community pharmacies and other healthcare settings - working under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Course content includes medical terminology specific to the pharmacy, reading and interpreting prescriptions and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Students will learn dosage calculations, I.V. flow rates, drug compounding, dose conversions, dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control and billing and reimbursement.

This course is 104 hours of classroom instruction. Students must be at least 18 years of age and have completed high school or equivalent.

Though the employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, just above the average for all occupations, increased demand for prescription medications will lead to more demand for pharmaceutical services in the future. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $37,790 in May 2022. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Internship Dates (Optional): TBD

Texts included with class:

Complete Review for the Pharmacy Technician 4th Edition Kristen Wiisanen 1 APhA

Complete Math Review for the Pharmacy Technician 5th Edition, William A. Hopkins, Jr. APhA

PTCE - Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Flashcard Ed. Book + Online 3rd. Edition (Flash Card Books) Third Edition, Revised

Author: Della Ata Khoury CPhT

About the instructor:
Ralph graduated from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 1981. Began his career in Independent Pharmacies, then chain pharmacy both as Pharmacy Manager then Pharmacy Supervisor.  Began practicing Managed Care as Pharmacy Manager for a large labor union health and welfare, then at the end of his pharmacy practice as Pharmacy Manager for Long Term Care Pharmacy.

Ralph is now retired but is instructing potential Certified Pharmacy Technicians. Ralph was on the Board of Directors for the Boston Druggists Association from 2008-2018 as well as a long-time member. Ralph also served on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Pharmacists Association from 2009-2018 Ralph was also a preceptor and adjunct instructor for the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University and actively involved with their alumni association.

This course is WIOA Approved.

This course will demonstrate proficiency in analytical and quantitative problem-solving along with computer and information literacy.

Understand laws and regulations regarding HIPAA and confidentiality in electronic health records.

Comprehend basic medical terminology, anatomy and physiology.

Understand basic pharmacology. Perform basic medical administrative tasks by using Electronic Medical Record software.

Upon completion you will be prepared to sit for the CMAA.

On average this course is 387 hours of independent, online instruction.

For more detailed information: Medical Administrative Assistant PROGRAM OUTLINE

This course is WIOA Approved.

This course prepares students for an entry-level career as a medical coder. Applicable skills:

Comprehend and apply CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS coding guidelines to identify diagnoses, procedures for insurance reimbursement. Explain the role of a medical coder as a liaison between the health clinician and billing offices.

Identify the procedures for patient record retrieval. Apply computer and information literacy skills using electronic health records software. Identify terms, facts, methods, procedures, concepts, theories, principles, and processes within medical billing and coding scenarios.

Understand laws and theories, including issues relating to ethics and confidentiality. Calculate solutions to mathematical problems related to reimbursement and medical mathematics. Interpret and evaluate information to make proper coding decisions. Review basic written and workplace communication skills.

Upon completion you will be prepared to sit for the CBCS, CPC, or CCA.

On average this course is 754 hours of independent, online instruction.

For more detailed information: Medical Billing and Coding PROGRAM OUTLINE

This course is WIOA Approved.

Assist clients with Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, monitor and report changes in a client’s health, and be an instrumental part of a Home Care Team in the role of a Home Health Aide working in home or community settings. Applicable skills:

Learn ethical and legal rules and regulations for direct care workers along with oral and written communication skills for speaking with patients, family, medical personnel, and other caregivers using appropriate language and terminology.  Apply skills in areas of science relevant to the home health aide’s role, including anatomy and physiology.

Utilize procedures to maintain clean and safe environments for both themselves and their patients, including residential, transportation, and outside locations.   React appropriately to emergency situations.

Apply standard practices to assist patients with the activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, physical movement and mental exercises.  

Assess physical and mental conditions by taking vital signs, behavior, activity level, and mental acuity. Administer medications, prescribed treatments, and basic first aid as directed by patient’s healthcare manager. Create meal plans according to prescribed dietary recommendations and restrictions.

Develop an instructional plan to teach families how to care for patients and react to emotional, medical, and physical situations and maintain accurate records of patient care, condition, progress, and change.

Discuss unique practices and procedures involved with caring for special populations.

On average this course is 420 hours of independent, online instruction.

For more detailed information: Home Health Aide PROGRAM OUTLINE

This course is WIOA Approved.

This program is to prepare graduates with the concepts and skills to gain employment in an outpatient setting. Students will be prepared to perform administrative and clinical duties under the direction of a physician, mid-level provider, or licensed nurse.

Certified or registered medical assistants are needed in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, physician’s practices, nursing homes, clinics, chiropractic offices, laboratories, and more. Because medical assistants fill two necessary roles in a medical workplace - as an administrator and a clinical healthcare professional - developing an understanding of health insurance, electronic medical records, pharmacology, and diagnostic procedures is necessary to taking the first steps toward a successful career in the role.

The online medical assistant diploma can help students prepare to sit for a number of industry certification exams such as:

• American Medical Technologists (AMT) Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Certification
• The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• The National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) certification offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
• The Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) offered by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)

On average this course is 600 hours of independent, online instruction.

For more detailed information: Medical Assistant Diploma PROGRAM OUTLINE

This course is WIOA Approved. 

Prepares students to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or NHA ExCPT exam, and gain entry-level employment as a pharmacy technician.  Applicable skills:

Demonstrates knowledge and skills in areas of science relevant to the pharmacy technician’s role, including anatomy/physiology and pharmacology.

Compares and contrasts the roles of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in ensuring pharmacy department compliance with professional standards and relevant legal, regulatory, formulary, contractual, and safety requirements.

Prepares medications requiring compounding of sterile and chemotherapy/hazardous products. Prepares medications requiring compounding of nonsterile products. Applies patient- and medication-safety practices in all aspects of the pharmacy technician’s role. Utilizes quality assurance practices with pharmaceuticals, durable and nondurable medical equipment, devices, and supplies.

Processes and handles medications and medication orders. Employs accepted procedures in purchasing pharmaceuticals, devices, and supplies. Initiates, verifies and assists in the adjudication of billing for pharmacy services and goods, and collects payment for these services.

Describes the use of current technology in the healthcare environment to ensure the safety and accuracy of medication dispensing.

On average this course is 589 hours of independent, online instruction.

For more detailed information: Pharmacy Technician Online

This course is WIOA Approved.

This program is to prepare graduates for an entry-level career as a physical therapist aide.  Applicable skills:

Demonstrate understanding of the importance of and techniques used in good customer service and effective communication between the aide, the physical therapist, and the patient.

Show understanding of common physical therapy techniques, including the use of heat and cold modalities, and their effects on the body. Use appropriate medical terminology related to body systems and physical disorders in order to communicate accurately with patients and colleagues.

Show understanding of the importance of a safe health care environment, including potential hazards and fall prevention, and the aide’s role in maintaining a clean, safe workplace.

On average this course is 163 hours of independent, online instruction.

For more detailed information: Physical Therapy Aide PROGRAM OUTLINE

This course is WIOA Approved.