Bitterroot College UM

This program trains students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical responsibilities of a medical office. Instruction includes preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, diagnostic testing, technical aspects of phlebotomy, and the 12 lead EKG and the cardiac life cycle. Students review important topics including phlebotomy, pharmacology, the proper use and administration of medications, taking and documenting vital signs, cardiology including proper EKG lead placements, a professional workplace behavior, ethics and the legal aspects of healthcare. Program includes classroom lecture and hands on labs and a clinical externship opportunity at a local healthcare provider. Students who complete this course sit for the National Health Career Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam.

The Dental Assistant program prepares students for entry-level employment in one of the fastest growing healthcare positions. The purpose of this program is to familiarize the student with all areas of pre-clinical dental assisting and provide training in the professional skills required to function as an assistant in the dental practice. This course covers the following key areas and topics: 1) Administrative Aspects–the history of dentistry and dental assisting; introduction to the dental office; the legal aspects of dentistry; policies and guidelines and 2) Clinical Aspects–introduction to oral anatomy; dental operatory; dental equipment, introduction to tooth structure; primary and permanent teeth; the oral cavity and related structures; proper patient positioning; dental hand-pieces; sterilization; and other areas. In addition to entry-level jobs, this course is ideal for students interested in pursuing a future formal Dental Hygienist program. Upon completion of the Dental Assisting Program, students are prepared for the Radiation Health Safety (RHS) exam associated with the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential offered through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Program prepares students to function effectively in many of the administrative and clerical positions in the health care industry, e.g., Medical Administrative Assistants, Medical Secretary, and Medical Records Clerks. Program covers important background information on the medical assisting profession and interpersonal skills, medical ethics and law, medical terminology, basics of insurance billing and coding, telephone techniques, scheduling appointments, medical records management and management of practice finances. Program is intended to provide students with a well-rounded introduction to medical administration so that a student can gain the necessary skills required to obtain a medical administrative assistant position in the health care field. Program prepares students to take the National Healthcareer Association's Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam.

This program teaches students the information and skills needed to work as nurse aides in a variety of health care venues including long‐term, home‐care, hospice care, and acute care settings. Program prepares students to take the Montana Certified Nurse Aide licensing exam.

Program prepares students to work as a pharmacy technician in a retail or other pharmacy setting. Course content includes: pharmacy medical terminology, the history of pharmacy, the pharmacy practice in multiple environments, pharmacy calculations and measurements, reading and interpreting prescriptions and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Through classroom lecture and hands-on labs, students will review dosage calculations, drug classifications, the “top 200 drugs”, I.V. flow rates, sterile compounding, dose conversions, aseptic technique, the handling of sterile products, total parental nutrition (TPN), dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control and billing, and reimbursement. Program prepares students to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s PTCB exam. 

The Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) program prepares professionals to collect blood specimens from clients for the purpose of laboratory analysis. Students become familiar with all aspects related to blood collection and develop comprehensive skills to perform venipunctures completely and safely. Classroom and lab work includes terminology, anatomy and physiology, blood collection procedures, specimen hands-on practice, and training in skills and techniques to perform puncture methods. Program prepares students to take the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Exam.

The 160-hour CDL program teaches students basic truck driving skills, introducing students to the field of heavy-duty trucking. Safety is emphasized as well as equipment knowledge and State and Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations. Curriculum includes CTTS/NSCSI CDL Study Manual. Field training and testing is conducted on a one-to-one basis. Program prepares students for a Montana Type 1 Certification Class A License (inter-state). If student is 18 to 21, he/she prepares for a Montana Type 2 Certification Class A License (intra-state).

The Bitterroot College CompTIA A+ program prepares students to function as computer professionals in multiple technical, business, and healthcare settings. Computer technicians serve many technical support and IT operation roles with job titles such as Support Specialist, Field Service Technician, Desktop Support Analysts, and Help Desk Tier 2 Support. The program prepares students to support computer users, troubleshoot and problem-solve computer issues, and connect users to the data they need to do their jobs regardless of the devices being used.

The HVAC Professional with Credential program prepares students for the NCCER HVAC Level 1 credential. Coursework includes math related to HVAC, basic electricity, heating, cooling, air distribution systems, basic copper and plastic piping practices, soldering and brazing, and basic carbon steep piping practices.