Virginia will always need healthcare professionals to study, diagnose and treat illnesses and improve overall health outcomes for our communities.
Healthcare is a wide-spanning industry that encompasses a variety of specialized jobs, which means you don’t have to go to medical school to work in the medical world. Whether you work directly with patients, in a lab or at a computer, you can make a difference in this growing industry.
In fact, every single community college in Virginia offers some level of healthcare training, from entry-level positions to nursing, backend data administration to specialized technicians.
Many of these degrees and certificates are eligible for G3 financial assistance, giving you the opportunity to earn and stack trainings and certifications that can lead you to a rewarding career without the debt.
Here are some classes you can take if you pursue a degree or certificate in the healthcare field through one of Virginia’s Community Colleges.
Introduction to Medical Terminology
There are a great deal of medical terms to learn, but this course will help set you up for success, focusing on medical terminology for students preparing for careers in the health professions.
Basic Anatomy and Physiology
Whether you’re drawing blood, taking x-rays or asking a patient about recent pain they’ve been experiencing, it’s important to understand basic anatomy and physiology. This course will cover basic chemical concepts, cellular physiology, anatomy and physiology of human organ systems.
Ethics for Healthcare Personnel
It’s important for everyone in the healthcare profession to remember that there are real people behind the charts and scans. This ethics course will focus on ethical concepts of health care, emphasizing confidentiality, maintaining patient records, personal appearance, professionalism with patients/clients, associates and an awareness of health care facilities.
Special Populations
As a healthcare professional, you’ll interact with individuals from different backgrounds and with different needs, especially if you pursue emergency medicine. Special Populations will focus on the pre-hospital assessment and management of patients in a specific population including pediatrics, geriatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, bariatric, abuse, sexual assault and special needs.
Intercultural Communication
This interesting course will explore human communication across cultural contexts, introduce the study of intercultural communication and help prepare you to communicate effectively within an increasingly multicultural world and globalized era.
Lifetime Fitness and Wellness
Whatever area of healthcare you work in, understanding prevention and overall wellbeing is a must. This course will focus on the study of fitness and wellness and their relationship to a healthy lifestyle. It will define fitness and wellness, evaluate the student’s level of fitness and wellness and motivate the student to incorporate physical fitness and wellness into daily living.
