San Joaquin Valley College

Program Highlights

SJVC's Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting (CAMA) program trains you in both administrative and clinical medical procedures for medical offices and specialty clinics. A Medical Assistant is a professional, multi-skilled member of the health care team who is dedicated to assisting in patient care.

Learn

• Insurance billing
• Appointment scheduling
• Patient information coding
• Injection administration
• Electrocardiograms
• Venipuncture & skin puncture
• CPR & First Aid

Training includes a clinical externship which allows students to further their studies in a real-world medical environment.

Career Opportunities

A well-trained medical assistant is qualified to work in a variety of medical environments such as medical offices, clinics, hospitals, laboratories, medical supply and equipment sales or insurance billing companies. Some positions include:

• Medical Assistant
• Medical Records Clerk
• Ward Clerk
• Medical Secretary
• Admissions Clerk

Certifications Earned

Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant exam (RMA).

Program Highlights

SJVC's Dental Assisting program trains you in all aspects of working with a dentist, including patient care, office and laboratory duties. Our balance of hands-on experience with classroom instruction covers all aspects of dental assisting skills and related theory. Whether you use your dental assisting training for a career chairside or in an administrative capacity, you are well prepared at the program's completion.

Learn

• Dental anatomy
• Dental radiology
• Dental software
• Preventive dentistry
• Dental practice management
• Dental science
• Coronal polishing

Career Opportunities

Dental Assisting is an in-demand job with many work environment options available. As a dental assistant or dental office employee, you can expect to work in such areas as:

• Private Dental Offices
• Dental Colleges
• Dental Laboratories
• Private or Government Hospitals

Certifications Earned

Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and certifications in First Aid, coronal polish, radiology and CPR. Graduates are also eligible to take the State of California Board of Dental Examiners Examination for State Licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).

Programmatic Accreditation

San Joaquin Valley College's Dental Assisting program is accredited by the State Board of Dental Examiners, Committee on Dental Auxiliaries and California Department of Consumer Affairs.

Program Highlights

SJVC's Emergency Services and Safety Management program prepares you to work in many areas of safety and security, both public and private. If you enjoy variety in your work, can be trusted with confidential information, and are analytical, this is the career for you!

Learn

• Cal/OSHA compliance
• Illness and injury prevention
• CPR & First Aid
• Environmental management
• Public safety management

Career Opportunities

Well-trained emergency services and safety management personnel are always in demand, and can work in diverse roles:

• Community Service Officer
• Security/Safety Officer
• Campus Security
• Armed Alarm Response Agent
• Airport Security
• Transportation Security
• Loss Prevention Officer
• Healthcare Security

Certifications Earned

Graduates from the ESSM program earn an Associate of Science Degree and are eligible for certifications in Healthcare Security and Safety basic; HAZMAT; HAZWOP; General Industry Safety & Health; Contractor Confined Spaces; International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS)-Healthcare Facility Security Officer; First Aid & CPR; PC 832 Laws of Arrest/Firearms; Chemical Agents; Bureau of Security & Investigative Services (BSIS) Guard Card, Firearms.

Admissions Requirements

Emergency Systems and Safety Management students must not currently be on probation for any offense nor have ever been convicted of a felony. Further, to receive firearm certification you must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident Alien, must not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under Federal or State laws and must have an approved handgun and holster.

Program Highlights

SJVC's Health Care Insurance Specialist program prepares you to process health claims, provide insurance coding, keep patient records and manage a medical office, using a variety of health care insurance principles and computer applications. Training includes specialized courses in the international classification of diseases, current procedural terminology and legal issues in health insurance.

Learn

• Medical office procedures
• Medical insurance principles
• Medical terminology
• ICD-9-CM & CPT coding

An externship program allows students to participate in real-world work experience under the direction of a medical office manager or director.

Career Opportunities

Well-trained health care insurance specialists are needed in a variety of health care, laboratory, insurance and billing service settings. You can expect to work in such positions as:

• Medical Billing Specialist
• Patient Account Representative
• Health Claims Examiner
• Insurance Coder

Certifications Earned

Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are eligible to take the Certified Insurance Coder exam given by the American Academy of Procedural Coders.

Program Highlights

SJVC's Pharmacy Technology program prepares you to work under the direct supervision of a Registered Pharmacist as part of a team responsible for carrying out a doctor's pharmaceutical orders. Pharmacy Technicians assist in the various activities of compounding, distributing and dispensing of medications.

Learn

• Pharmacy law and ethics
• Pharmacology
• Computer data entry
• Pharmacy science & clinical applications
• Prescription processing

Training includes a balance of classroom and lab instruction, as well as an externship component, which allows you experiential learning in an actual clinical environment.

Career Opportunities

A well-trained pharmacy technician can expect to work in a highly respected, professional environment as an integral part of a health care team. Pharmacy technicians work in areas such as:

• Franchise Pharmacies
• Home Health Care Agencies
• Correctional Facilities
• Hospitals
• Pharmaceutical Outside Sales

Certifications Earned

Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are qualified for licensure with the State of California to be registered as a Pharmacy Technician (PhT). Graduates are eligible to take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board's examination to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), recognized nationally as an exceptional pharmacy technician candidate.

Program Highlights

SJVC's Respiratory Therapy program prepares you to be a member of an elite health care team that evaluates, treats and manages patients with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders. In addition to performing respiratory care procedures, respiratory therapists are involved in clinical decision-making and patient education.

Learn

• Microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology
• Computer applications, ethics, and psychology
• Pathology, pharmacology, and resuscitation
• Hemodynamics, physical assessment, and oxygen delivery
• Monitoring, radiography, and airway management

Students receive over 900 hours of extensive clinical practice in hospitals and clinics to gain real world experience.

Career Opportunities

Well-trained respiratory therapists are in tremendous demand in such areas as acute care hospitals, durable medical equipment companies, sub-acute facilities, home care agencies, physicians' offices, or managed care organizations; as well as specialized areas, such as sleep labs and pulmonary function labs. Some position opportunities include:

• Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT)
• Neonatal-Pediatric Specialist (NPS)
• Clinical Educator/Clinical Specialist
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation/Asthma Specialist
• Biomedical/Research/Sales

Certifications Earned

Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are eligible for state licensure and national credentialing examinations, including Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Programmatic Accreditation

Programmatic accreditation status varies by campus.

Program Highlights

Our Surgical Technology program prepares you to be an integral part of a medical team whose responsibility it is to exercise precise and harmonious procedures and practices in an operating room environment. Surgical technologists work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other surgical personnel to deliver the highest level of patient care.

Learn

• Medical terminology
• Legal, moral and ethical aspects
• Surgical procedures
• Surgical techniques
• CPR and First Aid

Instruction also includes an extensive clinical rotation to give students hands-on experience in the surgical environment.

Career Opportunities

Well-trained Surgical Technologists are in high demand. You can expect to work in professional environments such as:

• Hospital Operating Rooms
• Physician's Offices
• Surgery Centers
• Emergency Departments
• Dental Surgery Offices
• Delivery Rooms

Certifications Earned

Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are eligible to take the National Certification exam for Surgical Technologists.

Programmatic Accreditation

San Joaquin Valley College's Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).