Open Enrollment for Vocational Training

MCOE Opens Enrollment for Phlebotomy and Dental Assisting Vocational Training Programs

The Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) is currently enrolling students for two vocational training programs: Phlebotomy and Dental Assisting. Applications are due November 30 and forms are available online or by calling 707-467-5123. Classes begin the second week of January.

Both programs offer paths to rewarding careers in health care. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or the equivalent, complete a medical screening, and submit a letter of recommendation, among other requirements.

A phlebotomist is someone trained to draw blood with a needle from a vein. Phlebotomists typically work in hospitals, laboratories, and blood bank settings. Phlebotomy is an excellent introduction to the medical field, and many phlebotomists later choose to become nurses and medical technicians. Upon successful completion of the 99-hour course, phlebotomy students will be given an application to apply for the state phlebotomy certification. California requires that all phlebotomists be certified to be eligible for employment. The enrollment fee for the course is $2,800 and the course runs from January 11 through May 19, 2021.

Dental assistants are in high demand, locally and nationwide. Dental assistants often work in dental clinics or dental and specialty dental offices performing both administrative and clinical duties. They prepare patients for treatments and teeth cleanings, process x-rays, and work with patients on billing issues, among other responsibilities. For some, becoming a dental assistant is the first step on the road to becoming a more highly trained registered dental assistant. Students who successfully complete the MCOE Dental Assistant Program and subsequently 11 months of employment are eligible to challenge the State Dental Board exam to become registered dental assistants. The enrollment fee for the course is $4,000 and is limited to eight students.

MCOE’s Dental Assisting Program runs from January 12 through May 27 with evening classes to allow those with day jobs to participate. The 18-week course prepares students for all aspects of front- and back-office dental assisting, including chairside assisting. At the conclusion of the classroom training, students must complete a 120-hour externship with a dental practice.

For more information about MCOE’s workforce development programs, call 707-467-5123.