Healthcare Careers certificate programs provide the basic knowledge required for entry level positions in the healthcare profession. Students engage in hands-on learning and receive instruction from top-rated instructors.
Student Success
“I only had a month to prepare for classes, but I was determined to become an educated nurse... The lectures given at SDCCE were very conducive in helping us work in a hospital setting.“
- Brian Yamase
Career Training Certificates
230 Hours 
10 Weeks (23 Hours Per Week) 
Harbor View
Complete two courses:
- HLTH 609 Healthcare Careers
- HLTH 610 Personal and Home Care Aide
Prepares students to work in healthcare as a personal care assistant, also known as caregiver, personal care aide, or home care aide. Personal care assistants are employed by home care agencies and assisted living facilities and may also provide services in other healthcare facilities. Requires completion of two classes: Healthcare Careers (HLTH 609) and Personal and Home Care Aide (HLTH 610).
Become a Student Enroll in Classes
Personal Care Assistant/Caregiver Class Schedule
Class
Class Number
Status
Room
Type
Hours per Week
Dates
Instructor
Class Meetings
Textbooks, Materials Fees
Class Notes
Class Description
College Credit
version
394 Hours 16 Weeks (25 Hours Per Week) Harbor View
Complete two courses:
- HLTH 605 Nursing Assistant Training
- HLTH 606 Home Health Aide
Through lecture and hands-on skills practice, you learn to bathe, dress, feed, and assist patients with toileting as well as report changes in a patient’s physical or mental status to the supervising nurse. This program prepares students for the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) examination which is taken upon completion of the course. After passing the state CNA exam, students become certified as a Nurse Assistant by the State of California, and can work in rehabilitation and long-term care facilities such as convalescent hospitals, and through an agency or in a private home.
Become a Student Enroll in Classes
Nursing Assistant Class Schedule
Class
Class Number
Status
Room
Type
Hours per Week
Dates
Instructor
Class Meetings
Textbooks, Materials Fees
Class Notes
Class Description
College Credit
version
400 Hours 20 Weeks (20 Hours Per Week) Harbor View
Complete two courses:
- HLTH 605 Nursing Assistant Training
- HLTH 608 Restorative Nurse Assistant
Provides students with the skills essential to seek employment as a Certified Nurse Assistant or a Restorative Nurse Assistant. Prepares the student to take the California State examination and also provides an opportunity to gain specialized skills essential to work in a rehabilitation facility. Requires completion of two classes: Nursing Assistant Training (HLTH 605) and Restorative Nurse Assistant (HLTH 608).
Become a Student Enroll in Classes
Nursing Assistant (Rehabilitative) Class Schedule
Class
Class Number
Status
Room
Type
Hours per Week
Dates
Instructor
Class Meetings
Textbooks, Materials Fees
Class Notes
Class Description
College Credit
version
480 Hours 19-38 Weeks (13-25 Hours Per Week) Harbor View
Complete two courses:
- HLTH 605 Nursing Assistant Training
- HLTH 607 Acute Care Nurse Assistant
Prepares you to pass the state exam to become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). Also expands skills of CNAs to provide more specialized training in acute care. Requires completion of two courses: (HLTH 605) Nursing Assistant Training and (HLTH 607) Acute Care Nurse Assistant.
Become a Student Enroll in Classes
Nursing Assistant (Acute Care) Class Schedule
Class
Class Number
Status
Room
Type
Hours per Week
Dates
Instructor
Class Meetings
Textbooks, Materials Fees
Class Notes
Class Description
College Credit
version
50 Hours 2-4 Weeks (12.5-25 Hours Per Week) Harbor View
Complete one course:
- HLTH 606 Home Health Aide
After becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), if you wish to receive certification as a Home Health Aide, you may complete an additional 50 hours of training that includes lecture and skills practice. You will learn to help elderly, convalescent, or disabled persons in their homes instead of a health facility. Home Health Aides are in high demand in licensed home health care agencies and hospice, to provide care in the patient's private home, under the supervision of Registered Nurses.
Become a Student Enroll in Classes
Home Health Aide Class Schedule
Class
Class Number
Status
Room
Type
Hours per Week
Dates
Instructor
Class Meetings
Textbooks, Materials Fees
Class Notes
Class Description
College Credit
version
405 Hours 15-21 Weeks (19-27 Hours Per Week) Harbor View
Complete two courses:
- HLTH 605 Nurse Assistant Training
- HLTH 611 Behavioral Health Nurse Assistant
Provides training for Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) and Personal Care Assistants/Caregivers to assist adults, adolescents and pediatric patients with social, personal, behavioral and mental health issues while providing nursing care and physical safety. Can serve as a second step toward more specialized training for CNAs and other healthcare professionals after completing Nurse Assistant Training (HLTH 605 and HLTH 611)
Become a Student Enroll in Classes
Behavioral Health Aide Class Schedule
Class
Class Number
Status
Room
Type
Hours per Week
Dates
Instructor
Class Meetings
Textbooks, Materials Fees
Class Notes
Class Description
College Credit
version
275 Hours Harbor View
Complete two courses:
- HLTH 613 Health Unit Coordinator
- HLTH 612 Medical Terminology
Provides instruction on the responsibilities for the coordination of non-clinical activities related to patient care and the department (unit). Areas covered are ethical issues, patient medical records, medical transcription and processing orders. Provides instruction in the definition and pronunciation of basic medical terms and vocabulary used in the health care industry.
Become a Student Enroll in Classes
Health Unit Coordinator Class Schedule
Class
Class Number
Status
Room
Type
Hours per Week
Dates
Instructor
Class Meetings
Textbooks, Materials Fees
Class Notes
Class Description
College Credit
version
208 - 234 Hours Harbor View
Complete two courses:
- HLTH 614 Optical Technician I
- HLTH 615 Optical Technician II
The Optical Technician program trains participants for entry-level jobs in the optical field as Optical Technicians or Dispensing Opticians for spectacles and contact lens. Spectacle lenses, worn in eyeglasses, and contact lenses, placed directly on the eye, help correct vision. Students learn to interpret prescriptions, select and fit lenses, and perform optical calculations. The program covers eye anatomy, refractive errors, optical theory, and professional standards, including HIPAA regulations and ANSI guidelines. Hands-on training includes using a lensometer, adjusting frames, verifying contact lenses, performing keratometry readings, and conducting slit lamp exams. Participants also develop customer service and business skills for working in optical settings such as optometry offices, optical labs, retail stores, and ophthalmology clinics. Graduates are prepared to take the National Opticianry Competency Exam (NOCE) and the Contact Lens Registry Exam (CLRE), leading to certification as a Licensed Optician and Registered Contact Lens Dispenser.
Become a Student Enroll in Classes
Optical Technician Class Schedule
Class
Class Number
Status
Room
Type
Hours per Week
Dates
Instructor
Class Meetings
Textbooks, Materials Fees
Class Notes
Class Description
College Credit
version
208 - 234 Hours Harbor View
Complete two courses:
- HLTH 616 Ophthalmic Assistant I
- HLTH 617 Ophthalmic Assistant II
The Ophthalmic Assistant program trains participants for entry-level jobs supporting eye care professionals in ophthalmology clinics, hospitals, and private practices. Students learn to perform basic eye examinations, operate specialized ophthalmic equipment, and assist with diagnostic procedures. The curriculum covers essential skills including visual acuity testing, eye pressure measurement, patient triage, and medical documentation. Participants develop expertise in diagnostic technology operation, patient intake and communication, pre- and post-operative patient care, medical ethics and confidentiality, infection control protocols, and clinical administrative tasks. Through hands-on training, students gain proficiency in using advanced medical technologies and supporting ophthalmologists during examinations and procedures. The program prepares participants to take the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) exam, positioning graduates for successful careers in eye healthcare.
Become a Student Enroll in Classes
Ophthalmic Assistant Class Schedule
Class
Class Number
Status
Room
Type
Hours per Week
Dates
Instructor
Class Meetings
Textbooks, Materials Fees
Class Notes
Class Description
College Credit
version
Applications are coming soon.
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) have a wide range of career opportunities across diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, home health agencies, and correctional institutions. With experience, LVNs can advance into roles such as charge nurse, clinical coordinator, or healthcare educator.
