REGISTER NOW FOR SPRING 2024 CLASSES
New healthcare certificates and degrees at the Mesa Community College Red Mountain Campus are expanding opportunities in the Health Sciences Division, including careers in Dental Hygiene and Nurse Assisting.
Patient Care Technician and Behavioral Health Technician courses have been introduced as foundations for health-related professionals. Also, the college is seeking final approval from the Arizona State Board of Nursing to launch a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program in fall 2024.
Dean of Health Sciences, Mary Boyce, says the new training programs and certificates reflect jobs that are in demand in the healthcare industry. An LPN student can finish required courses in a year, which is significantly less time than for those studying to be registered nurses.
The LPN Certificate of Completion and passing the licensure exam allows the graduates to seek immediate employment. While working as an LPN, a student can complete all the remaining courses needed to apply to the RN program.
Dean Boyce points out that students should register now for a six-week Nurse Assisting (NA) course, which is required before they can enter the MCC LPN or RN programs. Also, completing the NA course allows students to apply for a position in that field.
Kathleen Mead, program coordinator of the Nursing Assistant program, says that the NA course, which prepares students to become a Certified Nurse Assistant or a Licensed Nurse Assistant (LNA), provides immediate employment possibilities and is the first step on pathways to nursing and health-related degrees.
The Nurse Assisting, LPN, and several other new programs can help students be successful, especially when entering the RN program,” Kathleen explains.
The four-week Psychiatric Technician Overview class offers techniques and skills to care for patients with a variety of mental illnesses including anxiety, mood, personality, and psychotic disorders, as well as post-traumatic stress syndrome and behavioral issues. Available to students studying health care, psychology, law enforcement, or any profession dealing with potential patient crisis management situations, there are no prerequisites for this class.
If you have questions about the health care programs, please contact Dean Mary Boyce at mary.boyce@mesacc.edu or Kathleen Mead at kathleen.mead@mesacc.edu. As the Red Mountain campus grows its Allied Health Department, it continues its 20-plus-year legacy of providing the East Valley convenient, affordable, quality classes in English, science, math, history, languages, and community fitness.
Stop by the Red Mountain Campus Enrollment Center in the Mesquite building to find out more or call (480) 654-7600.