The Programs of Health Science Careers
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- Dental Assisting
- Health Unit Coordinator
- Massage Therapy
- Nursing Assistant
- Optometric Assisting
- Practical Nursing
- Surgical Technology
Dental Assisting
This program is in Health Science Education and is open to both adult and high school students. This program is 1230 hours (including 90 hours of Health Science Core) and takes approximately 40 Weeks to complete. Dental Assisting is a daytime yearlong program, fall and spring semesters, and students may enroll in the program prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Dental Assisting consist of two Occupational Completion Points (OCP’s).
In this program, the student learns to assist the dentist in all facets of the office. Local dental offices provide chair-side experience. Activities include taking x-rays, assisting at chair-side, and knowing sterilization procedures, business office procedures, and inventory control. Students also learn to make temporary bridges and crowns, all expanded functions, as well as learning about polishing teeth and oral health, including brushing and flossing.
To earn a Certificate of Completion, a student must successfully complete all competencies and achieve a basic skill requirement of level 10 in Reading, Math and Language on the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education). Each graduate receives a program Certificate of Completion from Traviss Career Center that includes certification in Dental Radiology and expanded functions. Students then take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination. Graduates passing this exam will have earned the right to use the title Certified Dental Assistant.
Dental Assisting is approved by the Florida Dental Association and supported by the Florida Dental Health Foundation. The ADA (American Dental Association) Commission of Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education, accredits this program. The ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-2718 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.
Program Times:
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
- Total Program Length: 40 Weeks
Health Unit Coordinator
This program is in Health Science Education and is open to both adult and high school students. The program is 500 hours (including 90 hours of Health Science Core) and takes approximately 18 Weeks to complete if enrolled on a full time basis. It is separated into three courses for high school students, and each of these courses is equal to one elective credit. Health Unit Coordinator is offered during the day on an as needed basis in the fall and winter semesters.
This program prepares students to perform specialized clerical tasks, to order lab and x-ray tests, and the proper protocols to use when working with visitors, staff personnel, and physicians in the patient care area. Clinical learning experiences are an integral part of this program.
To earn a Certificate of Completion, a student must successfully complete all competencies and achieve a basic skill requirement of level 9 in Math and level 10 in Reading and Language on the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education). Upon completion, students are eligible to take the National Certification Examination Board administered by the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (NAHUC).
Program Times:
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
- Total Program Length: 18 Weeks
Massage Therapy
This program is in the Health Science Education area and is open to adult students. This program is 750 hours (including 90 hours of Health Science Core) and takes approximately 27 Weeks to complete. Massage Therapy is offered during the day in the fall and spring semesters.
The program is designed to prepare students for employment as licensed massage therapists. The content includes, but is not limited to, the theory and practice of massage, theory and practice of hydrotherapy, hygiene, practice demonstration, human anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of massage practice, leadership and human relations skills, health and safety, CPR, and employability skills.
To earn a Certificate of Completion, a student must successfully complete all competencies and achieve a basic skill requirement of level 9 in Math and level 10 in Reading and Language on the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education).
Massage Therapy is a Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Board of Massage Therapy approved program and is competency based. Upon completion of the program, applicants will be eligible to take the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Body work (NCETMB), which leads to Florida licensure.
Program Times:
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
- Total Program Length: 27 Weeks
Nursing Assistant
This program is in Health Science Education and is open to adult students. This program is 120 hours and takes approximately 4 Weeks to complete. Nursing Assistant is offered during the day in the fall and spring semesters.
The Nursing Assistant program prepares students to work under the direction and supervision of nurses and doctors, to provide bedside care for nursing home and hospice patients, as well as home health agencies. Instruction includes a combination of classroom theory, laboratory practice and clinical experience.
Students receive a certificate of completion once all program competencies are fulfilled and the required basic skills have been demonstrated. Upon receipt of the certificate, students are eligible to apply to take the state certification exam required by the Florida State Department of Education and the Florida Board of Nursing. This certificate is required for all patient care assistants employed in nursing homes and home health agencies.
Program Times:
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
- Total Program Length: 4 Weeks
Optometric Assisting
This program is in Health Science Education and is open to both adult and high school students. The program is 1080 hours (including 90 hours of Health Science Core) or approximately 39 Weeks in length if enrolled full time. Optometric Assisting is offered during the day in the fall and spring semesters. Students are accepted twice a year in this program.
The Optometric Assisting program prepares students for employment as eye care professionals. Instruction includes general receptionist duties, vision screening, preliminary examination, ocular pharmacology, diseases, surgery, and dispensing and finishing lenses.
To earn a Certificate of Completion, a student must successfully complete all competencies and achieve a basic skill requirement of level 9 in Math and level 11 in Reading and Language on the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education). Graduates take the American Optometric Certifying Examination to become nationally certified as a Certified Paraoptometric Assistant.
This program can be a stepping stone to further career options as a vision care professional. Optometric Assisting graduates can pursue additional certifications on the job. These additional certification tests include those for Ophthalmologist Assistant (COA), Ophthalmologist Technician (COT), Ophthalmologist Medical Technologist (COMT), and Certified Paraoptometric Technician. A further career option graduates can elect is to become a licensed optician.
Program Times:
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
- Total Program Length: 39 Weeks
Practical Nursing
This program is in Health Science Education and is open to both adult and high school students. This program is 1350 hours (including 90 hours of Health Science Core) and takes approximately 49 Weeks to complete. The program offers 9 elective credits to high school students. It is offered during the day in the fall and spring semesters. Practical Nursing consists of three Occupational Completion Points (OCPs).
- OCP A – Health Science Core 90 hours
- OCP B – Nursing Assistant 75 hours
- OCP C – Practical Nursing 1185 hours
The program includes nursing theory and practice, with students acquiring clinical experience at area hospitals and medical facilities. The content includes, but is not limited to, theoretical instruction and clinical experience in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, and geriatric nursing. Additionally, content includes personal, family and community health concepts, nutrition, human growth and development, body structure and function, interpersonal relationship skills, mental health concepts, pharmacology and administration of medicines, and legal aspects of practice.
To earn a Certificate of Completion, a student must successfully complete all competencies and achieve a basic skill requirement of level 11 in Reading, Math, and Language on the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education).
The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing and the Florida Department of Education. A graduate may work as a Graduate Practical Nurse upon receipt of a letter from the Board of Nursing. The student then must take and pass the Florida State Board Licensing Examination to be employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Program Times:
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
- Total Program Length: 49 Weeks
Evening Class:
- Monday - Thursday, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
- Clinical training is on Friday or Saturdays
Surgical Technology
This program is in Health Science Education and is open to adult students. The program is 1330 hours (including 90 hours of Health Science Core) and takes approximately 47 Weeks to complete. Surgical Technology is offered during the day in the fall and spring semesters.
This program prepares students with hands-on training that enables them to assist surgeons in the operating room. The content includes, but is not limited to, communication and interpersonal skills, legal and ethical responsibilities, anatomy, physiology, path physiology, microbiology, aseptic techniques, safety, use and care of equipment and supplies, CPR, employability skills, and basic computer literacy.
To earn a Certificate of Completion, a student must successfully complete all competencies and achieve a basic skill requirement of level 10 in Math, and level 11 in Reading and Language on the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education). Completers take a national certification examination given by the Liaison Council on Certification for Surgical Technology.
The program is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Accreditation Review Committee on Education and Surgical Technology.
Program Times:
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
- Total Program Length: 47 Weeks