Diploma - Dental Assisting

Would you like to become an integral member of a dental health team? Dental Assistants are educated to perform chair side assisting methods, patient procedures, and related office and laboratory tasks under the direction and supervision of a licensed dentist.

The variety of tasks you learn will allow you to be challenged by diverse responsibilities in the delivery of dental care. You will gain knowledge of the basic dental sciences, proficiency in laboratory and clinical skills, and practical experience involving specialized skills.

Dental assisting hands-on learning includes a study of:

• Dental Office Emergencies
• Dental Radiography
• Dental Specialties
• Operatory Dentistry
• Laboratory Procedures
• Dental Anatomy and Orthodontics
• Dental Assisting Externship

You will obtain hands-on experience in a laboratory setting using major equipment such as amalgamators, dental units and chairs, model trimmers, oral evacuation equipment, oxygen tanks, personal computers, ultrasonic units and X-ray units.

You will be trained in valuable clinical, radiographic and administrative procedures, leading to career opportunities with dental offices, dental supply manufacturers, hospital dental departments and insurance companies. Additional entry-level positions include dental receptionists, dental insurance clerks, dental supply salespeople and administrative assistants. Duties of a Dental Assistant may include: assisting a dentist at chair side with basic dental procedures; preparing materials for use by the dentist; cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments; providing education to patients about good dental health; and performing preventive procedures.

The Largo campus offers night and weekend classes for the dental assisting program.

Diploma - Massage Therapy

The massage therapist program provides you with a solid base of knowledge through instruction and hands-on learning in the areas of:

• Swedish and deep tissue massage
• Neuromuscular therapy
• Orthopedic assessment
• Movement anatomy and pathology

You will learn how to properly assess and document massage sessions, as well as communicate effectively with insurance professionals through medical terminology, pharmacology, and documentation classes. Additional courses include medical law and ethics, adjunctive therapy and business management, providing a well-rounded educational experience.

Diploma - Pharmacy Technician

Graduates from this program will become active participants in this growing field by exhibiting competence through knowledge and skills learned through the college. The Pharmacy Technician program prepares the student with both administrative and clinical skills for a position in retail, hospital, clinic and home IV facilities.

Associate of Science - Medical Assisting

The Medical Assisting program is designed to bridge the gap between the traditional nurse in the physician's office and the medical secretary. The degree prepares graduates to be entry-level paraprofessionals in medical offices, clinics and associated medical facilities. In addition to basic diagnostic and laboratory procedures, students learn current medical technology, medical codes and other skills necessary to excel in the health care industry.

Upon completion of an Associate of Science degree in Medical Assisting, students will have taken a variety of courses related to the health care field. Courses include Anatomy and Physiology, Clinical Assisting, Pharmacology and X-ray Procedures. To ensure a complete background of the medical field, the Medical Assisting program covers medical insurance billing, medical transcription and business management as it relates to health care.

Associate of Science - Medical Insurance Billing/Coding

Our Medical Insurance Billing/Coding program is designed to prepare students for positions as medical insurance billers in today's health care offices, clinics and facilities. Students learn diagnostic and procedural terminology as it relates to the accurate completion of medical insurance claims. A combination of skills will prepare students for the ever-changing field of insurance billing. Students learn not only coding procedures, but also the proper management and execution of various medical insurance plans and programs.

They will practice interviewing and documentation skills, demonstrating the proper methods of obtaining patient information necessary for successful claims management. In simulated practice, students will prepare insurance claims manually and by computer. The legal and ethical responsibilities of the health care worker are introduced as they relate to the medical office and common office billing practices.

Bachelor of Science - Health Care Administration

Major changes have occurred in health care administration over the past decade and the trend appears to be continuing with increasing intensity and scope. The entire health care industry is undergoing major shifts in direction, which demand a workforce able to develop innovative methods for managing health care service delivery. Our Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration focuses on meeting these changes and preparing graduates for work in the health care delivery system. This program prepares individuals to work effectively in the rapidly changing health care delivery system at a professional management level.