Overview
Let’s get ready to gain the skills for accelerated training! Our programs below are designed to prepare a forward path in your healthcare career.
Your goals, interests, work values, previous education and experience, are factors to consider when charting your career pathway. Advisors at Virginia Western provide career guidance to help you determine the most ideal starting point and identify a career path that fits your needs. Click here to see an example Nursing Career Pathway (PDF).
Programs marked with a 
are eligible for the FastForward program.
Jump to Programs:
Healthcare Pathway Programs
Students without any healthcare or college education experience are encouraged to follow the career pathway for medical assisting by starting with Certified Medical Administrative Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, then Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, and finish with EKG Technician.
Students interested in only one course may take any as a standalone course or enter the pathway at any course.
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
Get started in your healthcare career as a medical administrative assistant. As a professional assisting a medical office, you will be on the front lines as a patient service representative utilizing computer software, medical record systems, telephone etiquette, email and written correspondence, and interpersonal communication with diverse audiences. This program covers the professional soft skills and hands-on technical skills to work as a patient service representative, medical secretary, medical administrative assistant, or medical records clerk. This program is ideal for students who have never worked in healthcare or are looking for an introduction to the healthcare field.
Learn the Skills
- Professional interpersonal communication
- Medical ethics and law
- medical terminology
- Patient scheduling
- Medical records management
- Basics of medical billing
Certification
Students will be prepared to sit for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
More information coming soon!
Phlebotomy
Phlebotomy Technicians are key healthcare team members in a variety of settings. Phlebotomists perform a variety of blood collection procedures in adults and children by venipuncture or micro techniques. In the thriving medical field, phlebotomists are in constant demand. It is an exciting time to begin a career in this area, where many opportunities exist in hospitals, clinics, medical offices and laboratories. The labs for this course will include live sticks with classmates and volunteers. This course will help you gain your Phlebotomy Technician Certification (CPT) certification from NHA. Holding this certificate gives employers confidence in hiring you in this unique, patient care role. Reach your career goals in the rewarding healthcare industry by enrolling in Phlebotomy Tech today!
Please note: The labs for this course will include live sticks with classmates and volunteers.
Learn the Skills
- Master practical competencies of phlebotomy.
- Learn to draw an acceptable blood specimen from a patient.
- Review legal, ethical, and special considerations in phlebotomy.
- Learn to draw blood samples from patients who are difficult draws.
Certification
Students will be prepared to sit for the Phlebotomy Technician Certification (CPT) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
We will get you on the path to a career with our accelerated program!
Kick off your new career as a Medical Assistant! Learn the clinical and administrative skills to work in ambulatory care settings, such as primary care offices, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics. Get ready to pass the nationally recognized CCMA exam issued by the National Heathcareer Association (NHA), in just 14 weeks. Medical Assistants are in high demand in the Roanoke area. Get on your way with our career readiness resources and networking opportunities! This is a very popular course, so act now!
Learn the Skills
- Assist the physician during exams
- Interview and educate patients
- Measure and record vital signs
- Administer injections
- Data entry and scheduling
Certification
Students will be prepared to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam through the National Health Career Association (NHA).
EKG Technician
Take your healthcare career to the next level as a certified EKG Tech! LPNs, RNs, MAs, CCMAs, and EMTs, can all benefit from an EKG Tech credential. Gain the knowledge, skills, and hands-on clinical experience you need to take the nationally recognized Certified EKG Technician exam issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) in just 8 weeks. According to NHA, the need for qualified EKG technicians continues to rise as the aging population in America grows (and with it, the prevalence of heart-related conditions).
Learn the Skills
- Set up and administer EKGs and stress tests
- Prepare patients for Holter or ambulatory monitoring
- Identify and differentiate between various cardiac dysrhythmias
- Learn legal and ethical considerations in EKG
- Recognize and respond to cardiac emergencies
Certification
Students will be prepared to sit for the EKG Technician (CET) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Requirements
- Must be a licensed or credentialed CNA, CCMA, MA, LPN, RN, EMT, or other direct patient care certification/license, or have 1 year of experience working in a hospital or healthcare facility providing patient care.
- Must possess a high school diploma or GED/high school equivalency
How to Enroll
- Start Pre-Qualifying by completing the Healthcare Pathway Interest Form.
- Complete the onboarding and financial assistance process to be officially enrolled in the program. Your Career Navigator will guide you through this. Please be aware that this can take up to a month.
Pharmacy Programs
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technicians play a vital role in hospitals, health systems, and community pharmacies. Get ready with this American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited, 400 hour course with in-person labs and clinicals. Pharmacy technicians are comfortable communicating with diverse audiences, performing data entry with various software programs, problem solving while working in a busy environment, and maintaining professionalism while providing quality patient care. At the end of the course, you will apply for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). This course is offered via a cooperative agreement with Mountain Empire Community College.
Learn the Skills
- Customer service and interpersonal communication
- Accurately read and fill prescriptions
- Perform calculations, routes and formulations
- Maintain patient confidentiality and medical ethics
- Perform basic insurance billing and medical record keeping
Certification
Students will be prepared to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
Dental Programs
Dental Radiation Safety Certification for Dental Assistants
The Dental Radiation Safety Certification is perfect for working dental professionals and current dental hygienist students looking to enhance their skills. This course meets the requirements of the Virginia State Board of Dentistry for certification in radiography safety.
Learn the Skills
- Describe the basic principles of radiation production.
- Discuss the effects of ionizing radiation on living tissues.
- Discuss and use radiation protection procedures for the operator and the patient.
- Discuss and recognize factors that influence the quality of radiographic films.
- Recognize and correct errors related to dental radiographic techniques.
- Describe and demonstrate infection control in radiography.
- Promote radiation safety.
- Have the knowledge and skill to apply radiological health and safety concepts to clinical situations.
A comprehensive exam will be given after the completion of the online session emphasizing safety for the patient, operator, and co-workers (including infection control, health and safety procedures). Students must pass the exam with a minimum grade of 75%. This class will not provide clinical competence in taking x-rays. Students will receive a course certification of completion, which they can provide to their employer.
How to Enroll
To enroll in one of our Health Professions programs, click here to contact one of our Career Navigators.