Western Career College

About Us

Western Career College Mission- The mission of Western Career College is to provide education in the majors and disciplines of health, legal and technical fields of study, that lead to an Associate in Science Degree and/or a Certificate of Achievement. Western Career College is committed to a skills-based approach to education, and strives to identify and support the achievement of student-learning outcomes throughout its institution and learning community.

The Western Career College Focus-The Western Career College philosophy is centered on outcome-based learning. The College's focus on retention, placement, and job performance results in graduates who are highly qualified and motivated employees. The communities served by the College benefit from this focus on outcome-based learning and the College's ability to adapt to its changing needs.

Additional Skills- In addition to their academic preparation and skills training, students learn how to think critically, make decisions, gain independence, organize work, take initiative, supervise others, and be responsible employees. In degree programs, a broad base of general education course offerings provide students with communication, critical thinking, mathematical, and computer skills; as well as perspectives from the sciences, humanities, and social sciences.

The field of Criminal Justice offers some of the most exciting and challenging job opportunities, and is currently one of the fastest growing career fields. The Criminal Justice program, with emphasis in Criminal Investigation/Loss Prevention Security, can prepare you to work in a variety of positions in the law enforcement field, security, loss prevention and emergency medical care in the public or private sectors. The instruction includes comprehensive investigation studies, practical applications techniques (including crime scene forensics), analysis of security systems, and physical protection of persons and property in hospitals, industrial and retail businesses and government public safety agencies. The investigation of white-collar crime and the analysis of deviant behavior will enhance both criminal investigation and loss prevention security. Employment opportunities include all federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as private investigation and security firms.

Dental Assistants face exciting challenges on a daily basis, and play a critical role in today?s health care system. The Dental Assisting program can prepare you to be a capable and skillful dental assistant. Students learn to function as a vital partner to the dentist while following guidelines of the Dental Board of California. Students become skillful at taking x-rays, making dental impressions, as well as performing coronal polish, restorative, oral surgery, and orthodontic procedures. The program includes emphasis on patient preparation, law, ethics, administrative duties, telephone techniques, and computer skills. Dental Assisting students are provided with the training necessary to obtain an x-ray certificate and a coronal polish certificate, which are approved by the Committee on Dental Auxiliaries of the Dental Board of California. After successful completion of the program, graduates are able to apply for and take the State of California Dental Board examination for licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant. Employment opportunities include positions in private dental offices, private and governmental hospitals, state and local public health departments, clinics, and dental schools.

Health care is the largest and fastest growing career field in the country, and the demand for well-trained administrators has never been greater. The Health Care Administration programs can get you started on a rewarding career in a medical or dental front office or hospital office setting. The program specializes in administration, with an emphasis on the practice of various medical and health office skills. In addition, the program presents medical terminology, introduction to anatomy, pharmacology, professional development, and the measuring of vital signs. The student also practices current skills for word processing and medical office procedures. Field experience during the externship is an important part of the program.

As a Health Information Technician, you enter two of the largest and fastest growing career fields in the United States; information technology and medicine. The Health Information Technology program can prepare you to succeed in a variety of positions in numerous administrative health care environments. This program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work both in the medical office and hospital environment. An Administrative Medical Assistant who is motivated and ambitious may work in any number of administrative or supervisory positions. Career choices emanating from this course of study include occupations such as: outpatient clinic manager; medical office manager; insurance biller/coder; medical records manager; administrative assistant; surgery scheduler; admitting clerk; physician, dentist or hospital team member; or medical transcriptionist.

Massage Therapists are highly sought-after for their skills in rehabilitation, pain relief and relaxation therapy. The Massage Therapy programs can prepare you for a rewarding career as a massage therapist in a spa or clinical setting or in private practice. The program introduces a variety of massage therapy techniques to address specific problem areas and concerns presented by clients. Techniques include Swedish Massage, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Shiatsu, Sports Massage, Hydrotherapy, and site-specific treatment techniques. The program incorporates integrated training in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, interpersonal communication skills, and clinic experience and covers business, marketing, advertising, presentation skills, and professional boundaries and ethics. Employment opportunities include positions in massage offices and private practice, physicians' offices, hospitals and medical centers, chiropractic offices, nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, health clubs and fitness centers, spas and resorts, hotels, cruise ships, beauty and hair salons, pain management centers, and sports team facilities.

As a Medical Assistant, you pursue an exciting and rewarding career in the field of medicine, and play a critical role in today’s health care system. The Medical Assisting programs consist of four areas of training: clinical, administrative, laboratory, and externship. The curriculum is based on the guidelines prescribed by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Students work on personal computers using word-processing, typing, and keyboarding software. The program emphasizes professionalism, client relations, critical thinking, adherence to the ethical and legal requirements of a medical practice, and proper communication skills. The program also prepares the student to sit for the national certification exam for medical assistants. In addition, graduates will have met the state requirements for injection administration and venipuncture. Upon completion, the graduate is well-prepared for an entry-level position in a variety of medical settings. Employment opportunities include positions in physicians and other health care practitioners' offices, clinics, and other health care facilities.

Medical Billing and Medical Administration is one of the fastest growing career fields, and job opportunities are excellent. The Medical Billing degree program can prepare you for a successful career as a medical biller in a medical or dental office, hospital, clinic, or by an independent billing company. Instruction consists of theory and practice to meet the competencies identified as necessary for entry-level employment. Students will learn to prepare various health claims forms required by the insurance industry using medical billing software. The emphasis is on the high level of responsibility required and the attention to detail and accuracy needed to be a competent medical biller.

Prepare to excel in the fast-paced and demanding field of health care as a Pharmacy Technician. The Pharmacy Technology program provides the technical and practical training needed to excel (upon licensure) as an entry-level assistant to a licensed pharmacist. The program provides the student with the basic knowledge of, and practice in, pharmacy calculations, drug distribution systems, and preparation of sterile dosage forms. The program uses computer skills necessary in a pharmacy practice and covers pharmacology, pharmaceutical, and medical terminology. The graduate will be fully prepared to take the CPhT exam. Employment opportunities for graduates include positions in hospitals, medical centers, skilled nursing facilities, private pharmacies, outpatient clinics, and pharmaceutical companies.

Surgical Technologists play a vital role in life-saving surgical procedures. Requiring a high level of training and competence, this demanding career is very rewarding both personally and professionally. The Surgical Technology program includes both the didactic (classroom) and clinical instruction necessary to excel as a Surgical Technologist. The curriculum provides instruction in the following subjects: surgical terminology, techniques, and instrumentation; microbiology; anatomy and physiology; pharmacology; legal, moral, and ethical concepts; and preoperative and postoperative care. Employment opportunities for graduates include positions as a Surgical Technologist in: hospital operating rooms, surgery centers, delivery rooms, birthing centers, cast rooms, emergency departments, ambulatory care areas, and central supply departments of hospitals.

Veterinary science is one of the most challenging and rewarding career fields in medicine today. The Veterinary Technology degree program can give you the practical training you need to function as a skilled entry-level employee in a veterinary medical setting. This program is carefully balanced between theory and practical instruction, including clinical rotation and field experience during an externship. The program emphasizes fundamentals of chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology and the information needed to meet the requirements for the California Registered Veterinary Technician State Board Examination. Veterinary technicians work in all phases of animal care, including surgical nursing, laboratory procedures, and office administration. Employment opportunities include positions in veterinary offices or hospitals, biomedical research institutions, zoological facilities, and the pharmaceutical and pet care industries.