Find a Career in Less Than a Year

Are you ready to start or change your career? Did you know you can do just that in less than one year? Prairie State College offers many certificate and short-term vocational courses to help you earn the skills you need to get a career in less than a year.

The PSC Workforce Professions Center offers vocational certifications and other credentials in Business, Education, Government, and Healthcare. The PSC Workforce Trades Center offers vocational certifications and other credentials in Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, and Transportation-Distribution-Logistics.

We are here to help you get the training you need to prepare for a career in one of the following career pathways.

 

EKG Technician

This course presents the student with an introductory overview related to the anatomy and physiology of the heart. It also explores normal electrical conduction as well as common variations as evidenced by changes in the waveform on the cardiac monitoring device. The course will also focus on the student’s ability to perform cardiac monitoring via 3 lead, 5 lead and 12 lead monitoring devices. This course allows you to sit for the NHA EKG Technician License.

View Fact Sheet

Clinical Medical Assistant Program - WIOA APPROVED

Instruction includes preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, diagnostic testing, technical aspects of phlebotomy, and the cardiac life cycle. Students will review important topics, including pharmacology, the proper use and administration of medications, taking and documenting vital signs, cardiology, including proper administration of medications, and proper lead placements, a professional workplace behavior, ethics, and the legal aspects of healthcare. To receive a non-credit vocational certificate, participants must successfully complete this course.
View Fact Sheet

Note: Upon successful completion of this program, students would be eligible to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) national examination.

Dialysis Technician--WIOA APPROVED

This course prepares students for entry-level employment in a kidney dialysis center. Course content includes medical terminology, anatomy, renal function, and principles of renal dialysis. To receive a non-credit vocational certificate, participants must successfully complete this course.  
View Fact Sheet

Health Unit Coordinator--WIOA APPROVED

This program prepares students to be a health unit coordinator and interface daily with multidisciplinary hospital team members, answer phone calls, and manage medical orders for inpatients. This program covers how to transcribe doctor orders, coordinate workflow for a nursing unit, and order necessary lab work and diets. Students will be introduced to processes that involve daily care of patient's medical records, retrieving clinical lab results, and understanding patient privacy.  To receive a non-credit vocational certificate, participants must successfully complete this course along with: Medical Terminology, Health Unit Coordinator, Microsoft Office and Keyboarding. 
View Fact Sheet

Medical Billing/Coding Specialist--WIOA APPROVED

Medical billing/coding specialists review patient records, calculate charges for procedures and services, and prepare itemized statements for third-party payment. This program prepares students with the skills to transform verbal descriptions of diseases, injuries and procedures into numeric or alphanumeric designations. To receive a non-credit vocational certificate, participants must successfully complete the following courses: Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology, Introduction to CPT-4 Coding and ICD-10.  
View Fact Sheet

Medical Central Service Technician

This course prepares participants for the national exam for Central Service for the Certification of Healthcare Sterile Processing and Distribution. Learn how to properly sterilize and store medical instruments. Participants are prepared for all positions within the Central Sterile Processing Department. To receive a non-credit vocational certificate, participants must successfully complete this course.  
View Fact Sheet

Pharmacy Technician --WIOA APPROVED

This prepares students to enter the pharmacy field and take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam. Course content includes medical terminology specific to the pharmacy, reading, and interpreting prescriptions, and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Learn dosage calculations, I.V. flow rates, drug compounding, dose conversions, dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control, and billing and reimbursement. To receive a non-credit vocational certificate, participants must successfully complete this course.  
View Fact Sheet

Licensed truck drivers and other supply chain industry positions are in high demand. Consider getting the training you need through our CD Training Academy. We offer convenient scheduling options including day and evening classes where training can be completed in 8 weeks or less. We also offer certification courses in Forklift and Fork Truck, Construction Flagger, and MediCar with training options with or without OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certifications.

Forklift Operator Training - 20 Hour Certification Course --WIOA APPROVED (also available in Spanish)

This 20-hour certification course covers the basic forklift driving skills needed to obtain your forklift operator certification. Students learn the operation of industrial forklifts used in warehousing and distribution centers and the types of equipment used for material handling. Upon successful completion of this course, students will receive a certificate of completion for Forklift Operation and a certification card for completing Basic Operator Training.

Forklift Operator Training - 40 Hour Certification Course --WIOA APPROVED

Students learn the operation of industrial forklifts used in warehousing and distribution centers and the types of equipment used for material handling. The course includes instruction on pre-shift inspection, stacking and un-stacking pallets from a rack system, simulated loading of a semi-trailer, and how to move loads around a dock area safely and efficiently. The OSHA-10-hour safety training course is part of this certification course. Students will receive a certificate of completion for Forklift Operation, a certification card for completing the Forklift Operators Training, and a certification card for completing the OSHA 10-hour safety training course.

Real Estate

Real estate courses are designed for those seeking credentials to become an Illinois licensed real estate broker. Two courses are required to take the exam for licensure: Real Estate Broker Pre-License Topics and Applied Real Estate Principles. Students successfully completing both courses will be able to sit for the Illinois Real Estate Broker exam. Attendance is mandatory per state regulations. Students must be able to meet state and industry requirements.

Home Inspection

Home Inspection Home inspection careers require passing the Illinois state home inspector examination. This course includes exam preparation and field experience where students engage with a licensed home inspector to perform residential home inspections. All applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or high school equivalency (HSE). Textbooks are included in the course fee and are distributed at the first class. Attendance is mandatory per state regulations. To receive a non-credit vocational certificate, participants must successfully complete this course.

Prairie State College offers an impressive selection of online training programs that support short-term vocational and recreational interests (Fundamental Learning catalog), as well as programs that are longer in duration that offer an industry-recognized credential ( Advanced and Technical Training catalog). Visit our online resources to find a training program that best meets your needs.

  • Fundamental and Recreational Training interests: We offer a wide range of highly interactive courses that you can take entirely over the Internet. All of our courses are led by expert instructors, many of whom are nationally known authors. Our online courses are affordable, fun, fast, convenient, and geared just for you.
  • Advanced and Technical Training programs: Our programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, providing you with effective web-based learning programs. Instructors/mentors are actively involved in your online learning experience. responding to any questions or concerns, as well as encouraging and motivating you to succeed.

With all these options, there is no reason you cannot be starting or changing your career in less than one year. To find out more, contact us today.

Contact


Prairie State College

Workforce Development and Community Education

Phone: 708-709-2957

Email: wdce@prairiestate.edu

Dive into the world of HR with Prairie State College's first-ever Associate Professional in Human Resources Certification Preparation course. Whether you're new to HR or branching out from another profession, this course blends core HR principles with relevant industry trends. Learn through insightful case studies and hands-on scenarios, preparing you to support HR teams efficiently. By the end, you will be primed for entry-level HR positions and ready to tackle an aPHR® certification exam. Join us to pave a solid foundation in HR and propel your career forward.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

The aPHR® is the first-ever HR certification designed for two distinct types of individuals: human resources professionals who are just beginning their HR career journey and non-HR professionals.

CERTIFICATION

Upon successful completion of this course, students may be eligible to sit for the Human Resources Certification Institute's (HRCI®) aPHR® exam. No HR experience is required for this exam since this is a knowledge-based credential.

WHAT IS COVERED ON THE EXAM?

25% Compliance and Risk Management
24% Employee Relations
19% Talent Acquisition
17% Compensation and Benefits
15% Learning & Development

This course is supported by the WEI and WIOA grants for those who qualify.

For more information please call (708) 709-2957 or email wdceprofessions@prairiestate.edu