The Medical Office Support Certificate II is designed to prepare the student to work as front office staff in a variety of ambulatory healthcare settings, such as outpatient centers, clinics, and doctor’s offices. Responsibilities include answering incoming calls and scheduling appointments, arranging clinical procedures, assisting in the completion of necessary forms, maintaining hard copy and electronic patient records, and computerized data entry. Duties related to financial processes may involve billing, medical coding, and handling insurance forms.

Courses will introduce the student to topics in medical terminology, medical ethics, and verbal and written communication. The Medical Office Support Certificate II is designed to allow for a smooth transition to the Medical Assistant Certificate I program.

Program Requirements

The Medical Assistant Certificate Program prepares the student to work in outpatient and ambulatory care settings, including medical offices and clinics. Duties vary depending on the type of healthcare facility and state law.

Medical assistants are multi-skilled allied health professionals who perform a combination of administrative and clinical duties while working alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals. Students develop specialized knowledge and skills through classroom instruction, hands-on skills practice in the campus lab, and direct patient care experiences in a clinical environment. The student must submit to a criminal background check and a urine drug screen to be eligible for clinical placement.

The program consists of 31 career-related credits and may be completed in as little as two semesters. Successful completion of the program qualifies the student to take industry-recognized certification examinations through the National Center for Competency Testing to receive certification as a National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) and National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT).

Program Requirements

The Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program is a collaboration between Central Wyoming College and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship. Enrolled students must complete 20 credits of career-related online coursework while gaining a minimum of 2000 hours of on-the-job training under the guidance of an experienced on-site mentor. The employer is responsible for evaluating skills competence and maintaining progress records. 

At the completion of the required coursework, the college will issue a Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Certificate II. Once on-the-job requirements are met and skills competency has been verified by the employer, the apprentice is eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam through the National Center for Competency Testing to receive the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) credential, and may earn a nationally recognized DOL-issued certificate. 

Apprentices must be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or the equivalent, and be employed by a registered apprenticeship sponsor.

Program Requirements

MEDA 1800: Phlebotomy Principles in Practice (3 credits)

Phlebotomists are skilled healthcare workers who perform blood collection procedures and prepare samples for lab analysis. Career opportunities include hospitals, laboratories, outpatient surgery centers, doctors’ offices, and clinics. Phlebotomists may also find employment in dialysis and blood donation centers, and community health fairs. 

A career in phlebotomy has a quick training period and a secure job market. If you like helping others and meeting new people on a daily basis, this may be the job you’re looking for. A career in phlebotomy may also serve as a stepping stone. Working alongside other healthcare professionals will help toward gaining an understanding of the various roles. Some career paths of phlebotomy-certified individuals include nursing, medical assisting, ECG technician, and medical lab tech. As you gain more experience, you will open yourself up to new opportunities. 

This one-semester hybrid course combines online classroom instruction with hands-on activities in the campus lab. Topics include patient identification, specimen collection, labeling vials, diagnostic testing, documenting lab results, and specimen storage and transport. Because phlebotomists collect blood and are at risk for exposure to a variety of diseases, an emphasis on universal precautions helps to ensure their safety and that of their patients. 

Students who meet the minimum number of venipunctures and capillary punctures are eligible to take the phlebotomy certification examination through the National Center for Competency Testing to earn the title NCPT (National Certified Phlebotomy Technician). 

HLTK 1665: Electrocardiography Techniques (1 credit)

Whether you’re an experienced healthcare worker looking to expand your skill set, or want to begin a new career working closely with patients and the healthcare team, enrolling in the ECG course is a step in the right direction. 

ECG technicians, sometimes referred to as telemetry technicians, are allied health workers who use specialized equipment to measure the heart’s electrical activity. This information helps to identify irregularities in the heart that could lead to a heart attack or heart disease. 

ECG techs work mostly in hospitals, but can also work in long-term care facilities or private practices. They are responsible for explaining the procedure to the patient, positioning the patient appropriately for testing, and connecting the necessary electrodes. The technician then monitors heart performance and the patient’s blood pressure. Findings are reported to the ordering physician or healthcare provider. 

This 1-credit course combines classroom instruction with hands-on activities in the campus lab. Students must have a United States high school diploma or equivalent. Upon completion, students are eligible to apply for ECG technician certification through the National Center for Competency Testing. 

NRST 1510: Nursing Assistant (4 credits)

A certified nursing assistant is an individual who has successfully completed an approved training program and has passed the state certification examination. As a CNA, you will work under the supervision of nurses and other licensed healthcare professionals to provide basic care to patients in a variety of settings. Nursing assistants are the primary caregivers in meeting the day-to-day needs of patients, and play a significant role in relaying information about the condition of patients to members of the healthcare team. 

The nursing assistant course is available to anyone 16 years of age or older. Becoming a nursing assistant could be a stepping stone for continuing your education. CNAs have the opportunity to move up a career ladder to potentially higher-paying jobs such as a CNA II and medication aide.

This course is taught in a blended format that includes online activities combined with hands-on skills practice in the campus lab followed by direct patient care in a clinical setting under the supervision of an instructor. At times, the clinical agency that provides training opportunities will offer employment to students who demonstrate ability. The Central Wyoming College nursing program follows the requirements established by our clinical partners. Prior to the first clinical day, students must provide certain immunization records and submit to a criminal background check and urine drug screen. 

Most nursing assistant courses are four to six weeks in length and are not restricted to a semester-length schedule. It doesn’t take long to become a nursing assistant and you will continue to learn once you find employment. Classes are offered on the Riverton campus during the summer session, while classes in Jackson take place in the fall, spring, and summer sessions. For registration information, contact a CWC academic advisor.

Students who complete the course are eligible to test for state certification. The certification examination is conducted monthly at various test sites throughout the state. Your instructor will provide you with application and fee information. Successful completion of the nursing assistant course does not guarantee certification.

NRST 1550: Certified Nursing Assistant II (2 credits)

This course provides currently licensed CNAs an opportunity to prepare for practice in an expanded role and to perform certain technical skills beyond basic CNA training. Students develop knowledge and skills through classroom instruction and hands-on activities in the campus lab. Emphasis is on sterile techniques, wound care, discontinuing IV catheters, urinary procedures, respiratory procedures, tube feeding and electrocardiography.

Enrolled students must pass a comprehensive written examination and a final skills practicum at the required level. Students who successfully complete the course are eligible to apply for certification through the Wyoming State Board of Nursing. There is a $10 fee and licensure candidates may be required to provide documentation of 1500 hours of work as a CNA on the application form. 

For more information, contact Stacey Stanek at 307-855-2226 or email sstanek@cwc.edu. 

NRST 1600:  Medication Aide (4 credits)

If you are a currently licensed CNA II and want to advance your career, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!

The role of the medication aide is to give daily medications, either prescription or non-prescription, under the direction of a registered professional. The aide must administer the right medication in the indicated dosage at the correct time, and then record dosages and monitor the patient for adverse reactions.  

This 100-hour course consists of 60 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical practice. Enrolled students must pass a comprehensive written test and a final skills practicum at the required level. Successful completion of the course qualifies the student to take the National Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE) administered by Pearson Vue to receive MA-C certification through the Wyoming State Board of Nursing.

Not all states permit the use of medication aides and those that do vary widely in their training requirements and what medication aides are permitted to do. 

For more information, contact Stacey Stanek at 307-855-2226 or email sstanek@cwc.edu.