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.
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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.
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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 Management24% 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