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Medical Assisting | Certified Nurses Aide |
Home Health Aide
Administrative
Clinical
General Information
 CCCC
offers a variety of health career courses and programs programs that
suit individual student needs. Students have the option of choosing
courses that are one, two, or three semesters in length that can provide
a path for long-term career goals.
Short-term courses such as the Certified Nurses Aide and Home Health
Aide or Medical Assisting present the student with the knowledge needed
for immediate employment.
Individual, transferable courses such as Medical Terminology,
Pharmacology, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Ethics for the Health
Professional, and Cultural Diversity are courses that would be of great
benefit for any health career professional.
You can also download the CNA and HHA
Admission Requirements and Procedures docket:
Employment Opportunities
 Employment
opportunities in healthcare have consistently remained among the top
five in trends of future industry needs. Many future healthcare
workers start their education at the basic levels of CNA or medical
assistant.
A large percentage of students who begin health careers choose to
continue their education in healthcare. A common career path begins with
a student becoming a CNA. Then the student often progresses to be-come a
Licensed Vocational Nurse. Many of the LVN's continue their education to
become Registered Nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the difference between a CNA, a HHA, a Medical
Assistant, and a LVN or RN?Good
Question! Let's talk about nursing first. There are two types of
recognized nurses: Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and Registered
Nurses (RNs). Both categories of nurses must pass rigorous state
curriculum requirements and pass a standardized national exam (NCLEX)
after completion of their college program to obtain their nursing
license.
LVNs must work under the supervision of an RN or a physician.
Generally, LVNs work in long-term care facilities, physician's
offices, and acute-care facilities. As basic healthcare has moved from
acute care hospitalization to home-based and community-based
organizations, many opportunities have opened up in recent years for
LVNs. LVNs often continue their education part-time to become RNs
while being employed full-time.
The Cerro Coso LVN program is three semesters of combined theory
background and clinical experience. The clinical experiences are
located in a long-term care facility, an acute-care facility and
various satellite clinics.
How does a CNA/HHA fit into the healthcare picture?
A Certified Nurses Aide and a Home Health Aide also complete a
curriculum that has been accredited by the State of California and
then the CNAs must pass both a written and practical exam given by a
State agency. At Cerro Coso, we generally offer the CNA course over a 9-week
period. The HHA component is offered over two weeks after successful
completion of the CNA program.
CNAs have excellent employment opportunities in long-term care
facilities. Some CNAs are also employed by acute-care facilities. A
large majority of CNAs continue working while going to school for
their LVN license.
 Where do Medical Assistants work?
Generally medical assistants work in physician's offices. At Cerro
Coso, we offer both Administrative Medical Assisting over one semester
and Clinical Medical Assisting over an additional semester.
What is the difference between an administrative medical
assistant and a clinical medical assistant?
Administrative medical assistants receive initial training to work as
the front office receptionist. They can also receive training in
aspects of the financial and insurance environment of a physician's
office.
Clinical medical assistants are trained to work with a physician as
he/she works with clients in the back office. The assistant obtains
vital signs, a brief medical history, and helps the physician with
minor medical procedures that are performed in the office.
Cerro Coso also offers an EXTERNSHIP Program for medical assistants.
Once a student has successfully completed all components of
Administrative and Clinical Medical Assisting, the student can
petition to be placed in a physician's office for 160 hours of on-site
(non paid) work experience.
Admission Requirements
Basic reading, writing, and math levels are advised and established
for each program. Some courses require completion of a screening process
and/or completion of required forms PRIOR to enrollment in the class.
For detailed requirements please see a counseling staff member. For an
appointment call (760) 384-6219.
Note: Medical Terminology for the Health
Professional (HCRS C50) is strongly recommended for every student
interested in a health career program.
 HCRS C055 Certified Nurses Aide
HCRS C057 Home Health Aide
- Pre-registration with the Department of Health Services is required.
- Appointment with a CCCC Counselor is needed to enroll.
- Completion of a pre-registration packet PRIOR to enrollment.
- The Department of Health Services requires fingerprinting and
that an application be sent to the DHS. The costs for this are paid
for by the student applicant.
- Personal Orientation
HCRS C101/111 Vocational Nurse
- Appointment with a CCCC Counselor is needed to enroll.
- Completion of Prerequisites (with a grade of C or better)
- CNA
- Psychology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Personal Orientation
HCRS CO61, CO62, & CO64 Medical Assisting, plus Externship HCRS CO68
- Enroll directly via the Coyote Connection (760) 384-3000 or at
Admission and Records.
- Note that not all courses are offered each semester.
- HCRS CO68 (Externship) requires that the student petition the
instructor (request in writing) his/her desire to participate in the
Externship work/study course at least one month prior to start of
course. (We need to be able to find suitable clinical settings for
qualified applicants.)
Courses That Can Help You Succeed
These courses are designed to support you in your academic and
occupational goals.
- How to Become a Master Student
PDEV C101
- Becoming a Successful Online Student
INST CO51
- Medical Terminology for the Health Professional
HCRS C150
Medical Terminology for the Health
Professional (HCRS C150) is strongly recommended for every
student interested in a health career program.
Program Specifics
NOTE: All prerequisites must be completed with a grade C or better
Medical Assisting
Advisories: Reading 2, Writing 3, Math 4
- Some of the Medical Assisting courses are short-term courses
and/or late-start courses.
- Check the college schedule for dates and times.
- Medical assisting courses generally (but not always) meet M-Th
in the evening
- Enroll in courses as per standard instructions in the college
schedule/student handbook.
- Reception (HCRS CO61) and Financial Management and Insurance (HCRS
CO62) are also available ONLINE.
Administrative Medical Assisting
- HCRS CO61 Receptionist (3 units)
- HCRS CO62 Financial Management and Insurance (6 units)
Clinical Medical Assisting
- HCRS CO64 Clinical Medical Assisting (6 units)
(Formerly HCRS
CO65, 66, 67)
Externship HCRS C068 (3 units) - 4 weeks
- Prereq: HCRS C061, C062, C064
- Non paid work experience in a physician’s office, medical
clinic, or similar work environment
Certified Nurses Aide (CNA) / Home Health Aide (HHA)
- Pre-registration with the Department of Health Services is
required
- See the Counseling Center for assistance with pre-registration
with DHS.
CNA
- Length: generally 4.5 hours M-Th for 9 weeks (refer
to College Schedule and/or the course instructor as the scheduling
for this course can vary depending on clinical and instructor
availability)
- Units: 5
- Total Hours: 162
HHA
- Length: 5 hours M-F for 2 weeks
- Units: 1
- Total Hours: 40
- Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Same as for CNA plus a current CNA
Vocational Nurse
- Hours: 27 hours per week M-Th
- Length: 3 semesters
- Units: 13 units per semester plus 1 unit for Lab
- Prerequisites:
Reading level 1, Writing level 2,
Math level 2 (Advisory)
PSYC Cl01 or equivalent psychology
BIOL C121 or equivalent anatomy and
physiology
CNA
- Corequisite:
HCRS C141 Skills Lab
Click here for the Vocational Nursing Program Homepage.
Application
If you would like to apply for the SVN Program you may download and
print either of the following files and mail them to
The Counseling Center
RE: Vocational Nursing Program Application
Cerro Coso Community College
3000 College Heights Blvd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555:
Please DO NOT send applications directly to the Director or
any Instructors of the Vocational Nursing Program.
For information regarding any Health Career Program, Contact the
Counseling Center at 760 384-6219 or
Contact a Counselor Online.
CNA Application Packet
All of these documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can
download it
for free here.
Questions?
If you have questions or would like more information please contact the Counseling Center at 760 384-6219 or
Contact a Counselor Online.
Cheryl Gates RN, MSN
Faculty Director of Allied Health
3000 College Heights Blvd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555-9571
Phone: (760) 384-6292
Fax: (760) 375-4776
Email: cgates@cerrocoso.edu
Last updated
08/24/2007 |
