By Raquel Moss
Special to The PREVIEW
The old “timing is everything” adage certainly does apply right now to a number of programs at the Southwest Colorado Community College.
For students interested in careers in Cosmetology, EMT/Paramedic or the Medical Assisting professions, this is the perfect timetable to register for 2013 spring semester classes that will begin Jan. 13.
The Cosmetology program will start a new cohort class of students in the spring semester. Potential students who were not accepted into the program this fall will probably be eligible for it this time since Accuplacer test scores have been adjusted.
Meanwhile, the medical programs have new cohorts of students each fall semester. But prerequisites have to be met first, and potential EMT, Paramedic and Medical Assisting students are urged to complete those prerequisites this spring semester so they’ll be ready to enter the program in the fall of 2014.
All of the programs provide pathways into good, solid careers. Importantly, the training that students receive is aimed at enabling them to pass licensing or certification exams.
Cosmetology
This program offers both an associate’s degree as well as a number of certificates — hairstylist, nail technician and esthetician. Students learn to do haircuts, coloring, perms, manicures, pedicures, facials and skin care. The program’s coordinator is Brenda Maez, who can be reached at (970) 564-6273, Brenda.Maez@pueblocc.edu.
EMT/Paramedic
Emergency Medical Services now has a full-time coordinator, Troy Salazar, who transferred to SCCC from its parent Pueblo Community College campus in Pueblo, where he was a full-time EMS instructor.
The EMT Intermediate program is taught on SCCC’s Durango site, and its 99 training level increases students’ skills in pre-hospital care. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training is included. In addition, for aid agencies dependent upon volunteer first responders, SCCC has Training Center certification through the Colorado Division of Fire Safety and is now able to offer Emergency Medical Responder courses that result in state certification
The Paramedic program provides students with skills in pre-hospital care situations with advanced EMS training topics. Students also receive ACLS, PALS and trauma certifications. It consists of 45 credit hours over four semesters.
For information concerning EMS education, or to schedule an advising appointment, contact Troy Salazar at 247-2929, Ext. 7206, or e-mail Troy.Salazar@pueblocc.edu.
Medical Assisting
This program was developed because of a nationwide industry need, including openings at Four Corners region hospitals, and a projected 31 percent estimated growth over the next decade. It prepares students to work in the front office of a medical practice, as well as perform clinical duties such as drawing blood, giving injections and performing lab tests. The certificate program can be completed in just three semesters and includes an internship. Prerequisites also can be taken in the summer, and qualifying students can test out of two of them. For more information, contact Dianne Doerfer at (970) 564-6212 or Dianne.Doerfer@pueblocc.edu.
Additional information also is available by calling the SCCC at (970) 564-6200. Southwest Colorado Community College is a division of Pueblo Community College.
Founded in 1933, Pueblo Community College is a premier teaching institution focused on providing academic and service excellence to help its students acquire the 21st Century skills needed to better their lives. An educational and technological leader, PCC fosters economic development and utilizes strong partnerships in the communities it serves through its Pueblo, Fremont and Southwest campuses.
