The Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) is expanding opportunities for local residents to enter the healthcare field, launching a new Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program this summer. This program, offered at no cost through June 2026, is funded by a Healthcare Career Pathway (HCP) grant from Empowered Aging. It joins MCOE’s existing Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, and Phlebotomy courses as part of the agency’s broader Medical Pathways initiative.
Designed for students age 16 and older, the CNA program prepares participants to enter the workforce in just four months. The class includes 85 hours of in-class instruction and 100 hours of clinical experience, coordinated with local facilities. With a maximum of 15 students per cohort, the program also provides need-based financial support for transportation, food, and childcare, helping to reduce common barriers to participation.
MCOE is working in partnership with Ukiah Unified School District to offer a high school section of the CNA course, while also running a summer cohort open to Mendocino County adults.
“The new CNA program opens the door to another in-demand job in healthcare,” said Eric Crawford, MCOE Director of Career and College Programs. “Students will gain hands-on experience and a strong foundation—whether they choose to build a long-term career as a CNA or continue to pursue nursing training or other medical support professions.”
Meanwhile, MCOE continues to offer established training opportunities in Dental Assisting, Phlebotomy, and Medical Assisting. These programs combine classroom learning with clinical externships, preparing students for both certification and employment. The next Dental Assisting and Phlebotomy cohorts begin this summer, with applications open through May 16, 2025. Medical Assistant and Certified Nursing Assistant program applications will be available in June.
The Dental Assistant course runs for six months and meets one day per week on Thursdays. Phlebotomy meets once a week on Fridays and runs for four months.
"If you've ever had your blood drawn, teeth cleaned, or your blood pressure taken at a local medical office, there's a good chance the person who helped you was trained right here at MCOE," said Tami Mee, MCOE Adult Programs Manager. "We couldn't offer programs of this quality without the support of our community. Generous donations from local clinics, clinical partnerships, and scholarships from organizations like the Alliance for Rural Community Health and Empowered Aging make it financially and geographically possible for students to train locally."
For more information or to apply, please visit: http://mcoe.us/medpath