Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — Family and friends of 22 new SBCC Career Skills Institute Medical Assistant Program graduates cheered on the class during a May 10 ceremony and celebration at the Wake Campus. Over 85 percent of those who complete the program go onto jobs in the field, and some go onto earn a registered nurse degree. The Medical Assistant Program is offered tuition-free to students.
In just nine months, the Medical Assistant Training Programprepares students to enter the healthcare industry as Medical Assistants in medical offices and clinics. Students gain skills in infection control, taking vital signs, diagnostic tests and assisting physicians through lectures, lab classes and internships.
“What makes this program exceptional is a 9-week internship where students are trained on-site at local healthcare facilities,” explained Bette Lee, longtime Medical Assistant Instructor. “This unique opportunity allows students to gain hands-on skills so that they truly understand the role a Medical Assistant plays in patient care.”
Among the graduating students is Liliann Vargas, who came into the program by chance while exploring a career change. Now her plans are to work as a medical assistant and look into taking her education even further. She described the program as a great experience and thanked Lee for helping push her through.
“She knows how to get her students to find what they want, and I think I found what I wanted,” said Vargas.
Jeanette Chian, Associate Director, School of Extended Learning noted that she is always amazed by the great passion and friendships that form through the Medical Assistant classes.
“I definitely see that this year,” said Chian. “The joy and pride on each graduate’s face as they prepare to enter the workplace to help this community really speaks to how special this program is. I know this graduating class will do great things.”
For information on enrolling, visit the Medical Assistant Training Program page online or call
Student Program Advisor Mari Lopez-Manzo at (805) 898-8160.
Career Skills Institute offers tuition-free courses in accounting, computer skills, customer relations, and much more, that can be taken independently or sequenced to earn specialized certificates in more than 30 areas. Certificates earned at the Career Skills Institute include digital badges that can be posted in online profiles such as LinkedIn, websites and resumes, to easily showcase competitive skills to employers. The available daytime, evening and weekend classes can fit any schedule. Find the summer schedule and more information available online at www.sbcc.edu/csi or call (805) 683-8282.
Career Skills Institute at Santa Barbara City College: The SBCC Career Skills Institute is part of the programs offered through the SBCC School of Extended Learning. It launched in 2015 to address the growing gap between the skills employers need and the current lack of workforce skills. The innovative program is endorsed by LinkedIn® and serves job seekers, employers and employees with a tuition–free, noncredit certificate program to provide career training for employees and job seekers. Participants can earn certificates and digital badges demonstrating knowledge and skills in over 25 areas of business, design and technology. For more information, visitwww.sbcc.edu/csi or call (805) 683-8282. To learn more about the SBCC School of Extended Learning, visit www.sbcc.edu/ExtendedLearning
About Santa Barbara City College: Founded in 1909, Santa Barbara City College currently serves approximately 15,000 students each semester who enroll in courses for transfer preparation, career education, and foundational skills. SBCC was the 2013-2015 national co-winner of the prestigious Aspen Institute Prize for Community College Excellence. The college was recognized for its quality and focus in four areas: facilitating underrepresented and minority student success, student learning outcomes, degree completion and transfer rates, and labor market success in securing good jobs after college.
Our Mission: As a public community college dedicated to the success of each student…
Santa Barbara City College provides students a diverse learning environment that inspires curiosity and discovery, promotes global responsibility and fosters opportunity for all.