Admissions

EKG Aide

Cardiographic or electrocardiogram (EKG) technicians specialize in electrocardiogram (EKG) testing. EKG machines monitor the heart’s performance through electrodes attached to a patient’s chest, arms, and legs. The tests can be done while the patient is at rest or while the patient is physically active. For a stress test, the patient walks on a treadmill and the technician gradually increases the speed to observe the effect of increased exertion. In addition to classroom study, the program also include a clinical component in which students earn credit while working under a more experienced technologist in a hospital, physician’s office, or imaging laboratory.

Duties

• Prepare patients for procedures by taking a patient’s medical history and answering any questions about the procedure
• Prepare and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment
• Operate equipment to obtain diagnostic images or to conduct tests
• Review images or test results to check for quality and adequate coverage of the areas needed for diagnoses
• Recognize the difference between normal and abnormal images and other diagnostic information
• Analyze diagnostic information to provide a summary of findings for physicians
• Record findings and keep track of patients’ records

Wages and Job Outlook

Hourly Wage:
$14.82

Annual Salary:
$30,830

Job Growth from 2020 to 2030:
8%

Medical Assisting

Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice. Medical assisting takes about 1 year to complete, the program has a classroom and laboratory portion that includes lessons in anatomy and medical terminology.

Duties

• Record patient history and personal information
• Measure vital signs, such as blood pressure
• Help the physician with patient examinations
• Give patients injections or medications as directed by the physician and as permitted by state law
• Schedule patient appointments
• Prepare blood samples for laboratory tests
• Enter patient information into medical records

Wages and Job Outlook

Hourly Wage:
$16.31

Annual Salary:
$34,800

Job Growth from 2020 to 2030:
18%

Patient Care Assistant

Patient care assistants help provide basic, direct care to patients, such as assisting with daily life activities, and helping with transportation and cleanliness. This program focuses on preparing graduates to work in homes, hospitals, general surgery units and nursing homes. Training  includes lab work, lectures and clinical rotations, as well as studies in pre- and post-operative care, anatomy, nutrition and physiology.

Duties

• Taking hospital patients’ temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration
• Assisting patients with basic tasks, such bathing, dressing, and eating
• Preparing and administering some medications
• Collecting specimens for lab tests
• Recording treatment

Wages and Job Outlook

Hourly Wage:
$13.78

Annual Salary:
$28,660

Job Growth from 2020 to 2030:
8%

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. They work in retail pharmacies and hospitals. Pharmacy technicians work primarily in pharmacies, including those found in grocery and drug stores. Some technicians work in hospitals or other healthcare facilities. Pharmacy technicians spend most of the workday on their feet. This program is about 1 year or less. The course covers a variety of subjects, such as arithmetic used in pharmacies, recordkeeping, ways of dispensing medications, and pharmacy law and ethics. Technicians also learn the names, uses, and doses of medications. The program includes clinical experience opportunities, in which students work hands-on.

Duties

• Collect information needed to fill a prescription from customers or health professionals
• Measure amounts of medication for prescriptions
• Package and label prescriptions
• Organize inventory and alert pharmacists to any shortages of medications or supplies
• Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
• Enter customer or patient information, including any prescriptions taken, into a computer system
• Answer phone calls from customers
• Arrange for customers to speak with pharmacists if customers have questions about medications or health matters

Wages and Job Outlook

Hourly Wage:
$16.87

Annual Salary:
$35,100

Job Growth through from 2020 to 2030:
4%

Phlebotomy Aide

Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. Some of them explain their work to patients and provide assistance if patients have adverse reactions after their blood is drawn. Phlebotomists work mainly in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and doctors’ offices. Phlebotomists who collect blood donations sometimes travel to different offices and sites in order to set up mobile donation centers. The program has classroom sessions and laboratory work and include instruction in anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. Phlebotomists also learn specific procedures on how to identify, label, and track blood samples.

Duties

• Draw blood from patients and blood donors
• Talk with patients and donors to help them feel less nervous about having their blood drawn
• Verify a patient’s or donor’s identity to ensure proper labeling of the blood
• Label the drawn blood for testing or processing
• Enter patient information into a database
• Assemble and maintain medical instruments such as needles, test tubes, and blood vials

Wages and Job Outlook

Hourly Wage:
$16.78

Annual Salary:
$34,710

Job Growth from 2020 to 2030:
25%

Early Childhood Education

Educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten. They teach reading, writing, science, and other subjects in a way that young children can understand.

Duties

• Supervise and monitor the safety of children in their care
• Prepare and organize mealtimes and snacks for children
• Help children keep good hygiene
• Change the diapers of infants and toddlers
• Organize activities or implement a curriculum that allows children to learn about the world and explore their interests
• Develop schedules and routines to ensure that children have enough physical activity, rest, and playtime
• Watch for signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring the problems to the attention of their parents
• Keep records of children’s progress, routines, and interests

Wages and Job Outlook

Hourly Wage:
$23.63 

Annual Salary:
$49,160

Job Growth from 2020 to 2030:
11%

Facials Specialist

Skincare specialists or facials specialist cleanse and beautify the face and body to enhance a person’s appearance. Skincare specialists usually work in salons and beauty and health spas. Some also work in medical offices. These workers may have to stand for extended periods of time. Because skincare specialists must evaluate the condition of the skin, good lighting and clean surroundings are important. Protective clothing and good ventilation also may be necessary, because skincare specialists often use chemicals on the face and body.

Duties

• Evaluate clients’ skin condition and appearance
• Discuss available treatments and determine which products will improve clients’ skin quality
• Remove unwanted hair, using wax, laser, or other approved treatments
• Clean the skin before applying makeup
• Recommend skin care products, such as cleansers, lotions, or creams
• Teach and advise clients on how to apply makeup, and how to take care of their skin
• Refer clients to another skincare specialist, such as a dermatologist, for serious skin problems
• Disinfect equipment and clean work areas

Wages and Job Outlook

Hourly Wage:
$16.97

Annual Salary:
$35,300.00

Job Growth through 2022:
4%

Nails Specialty

Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and beautify fingernails and toenails. Nails specialist usually work in a nail salon, spa, or hair salon. The job involves a lot of sitting. Those who own a mobile grooming company must travel to their clients’ homes. Manicurists and pedicurists use chemicals when working on fingernails and toenails, so they often wear protective clothing, including protective gloves and masks.

Duties

• Discuss nail treatments and services available
• Remove nail polish
• Clean, trim, and file nails
• Reduce calluses and rough skin
• Massage and moisturize hands (for a manicure) and feet (for a pedicure)
• Polish or buff nails
• Advise clients about nail and skin care for hands and feet
• Promote and sell nail and skin care products
• Clean and disinfect their work area and tools

Wages and Job Outlook

Hourly Wage:
$11.36

Annual Salary:
$23,630.00

Job Growth through 2022:
4%

Automotive Service Technology

Automotive service technicians and mechanics, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars. Service technicians stand for most of the day, and they typically work in well-ventilated and well-lit repair shops. Although technicians often identify and fix automotive problems with computers, they commonly work with greasy parts and tools, sometimes in uncomfortable positions.

Duties

• Identify problems, often by using computerized diagnostic equipment
• Plan work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience
• Test parts and systems to ensure that they work properly
• Follow checklists to ensure that all critical parts are examined
• Perform basic care and maintenance, including changing oil, checking fluid levels, and rotating tires
• Repair or replace worn parts, such as brake pads, wheel bearings, and sensors
• Perform repairs to manufacturer and customer specifications
• Explain automotive problems and repairs to clients

Wages and Job Outlook

Hourly Wage:
$21.09 

Annual Salary:
$43,860 

Job Growth from 2020 to 2030:
0%