San Joaquin Valley College

Overview

Founded in 1977, San Joaquin Valley College provides certificate and Associate Degree programs in the business, medical and technical career fields Graduates can earn an A.S. degree in as few as 14 months, and be prepared to start a new career.

Our students enjoy accelerated classroom learning, individual attention and a head start into a career through working in externships. Flexible morning, afternoon and evening class schedules accommodate working adults and busy students who might otherwise miss opportunities. Career placement assistance is available to students and graduates of SJVC.

Why SJVC?

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Ask one of our graduates about their SJVC experience; they'll describe it as a life change - not just a step in their career development. SJVC offers:

Degree Programs with Hands-On Career Training

With a core of general education courses alongside specialized career training, SJVC enables graduates to receive their Associate of Science degree in addition to career specific certifications and licensure preparedness. Students get the classroom instruction and real-world experience they need to compete in today's job market.

Flexible, Accelerated Learning

SJVC courses are offered year-round, with flexible hours in morning, afternoon and evening classes to accommodate working students. Most courses of study can be completed in only 15 to 18 months.

Accreditation

San Joaquin Valley College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 10 Commercial Blvd., Suite 204, Novato, CA 94949, (415) 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to qualified students in the form of federal and state grants, loans, work-study, scholarships and institutional payment plans.

Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting - Associate of Science
Program Highlights

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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).

Clinical Medical Assisting - Associate of Science or Certificate
Program Highlights

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The Clinical Medical Assisting program at SJVC offers extensive back office training to provide support to physicians and direct patient care in a variety of medical settings. Training includes a balance of classroom instruction with laboratory experience to create the best opportunity for student understanding and performance.

Learn

• Injection Administration
• Electrocardiograms
• Venipuncture & skin puncture
• CPR & first aid
• Assisting in minor surgery
• Front office procedures
• Basic lab tests
• Patient education
• Taking & recording vital signs

Career Opportunities

Health care careers are on the rise and expected to increase dramatically in the years ahead as an aging population requires growing medical attention. Graduates can expect to secure positions in a variety of career roles:

• Clinical Medical Assistant
• Medical Secretary
• Occupational Health Assistant
• Laboratory Assistant

With additional education or training career path advancement might take you into areas such as Licensed Practical Nurse, Emergency Medical Technician, Recreational Therapist, Physician Assistant or other advanced nursing positions.

Certifications Earned

Depending on campus and program, graduates earn an Associate of Science degree or Certificate and are prepared to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant Exam (RMA).

Dental Assisting - Associate of Science or Certificate
Program Highlights

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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

Certification 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.

Health Care Administration - Associate of Science
Program Highlights

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SJVC's Health Care Administration program gives you the expert training you need to perform front office duties in a health care setting. Course studies include office management, medical terminology, patient record keeping, bookkeeping, accounting, insurance claims preparation, professional communication, general operation of a health care facility and computer training using Microsoft Office and Medical Manager.

Learn

• Medical insurance principles
• Computer concepts
• Insurance coding
• Medical terminology
• Medical billing
• Economics & finance

Students complete an extensive externship in the field under the direct supervision of an office manager or medical director.

Career Opportunities

Well-trained health care administrators are in demand by busy medical and dental offices, hospitals, clinics, laboratories, billing offices and medical supply distributors. You can expect to qualify for such roles as:

• Front office assistant
• Billing or insurance clerk
• Data entry clerk
• Collections clerk
• Admitting clerk

Certification Earned

Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are eligible to sit for the RMA-Administration exam.

Pharmacy Technology - Associate of Science
Program Highlights

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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.

Respiratory Therapy - Associate of Science
Program Highlights

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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, and anatomy and physiology
• Computer applications, ethics and psychology
• Pathology, pharmacology and resuscitation
• Mechanical ventilation of adults, pediatrics, and newborns
• 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).

Information

If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please Request Information from San Joaquin Valley College - Visalia.