COD offers new Veterinarian Assistant, Dental Assistant programs

Continuing Education at College of DuPage is offering two new noncredit programs this fall.

The Veterinarian Assistant and Dental Assistant programs will be offered through COD's partnership with MK Education in Downers Grove, an instructional organization dedicated to the advancement of both pharmaceutical and allied health positions. The one-semester programs will join the successful Pharmacy Technician program and will be offered on the College's main campus in Glen Ellyn.

“We are providing students with the education to obtain entry-level positions,” said Gail McPike, Continuing Education program coordinator. “Students can then enter the workplace and use their education and training as a stepping stone toward future education within these career fields.”

The Veterinarian Assistant program provides 90 hours of classroom instruction covering such topics as client relations, office and hospital procedures, animal nursing, surgical prep, and exam room procedures. In addition, students participate in a 30-hour, hands-on externship in a veterinarian's office/clinic or animal hospital/clinic. Duties of a veterinarian assistant include providing kennel care for animals, sterilizing lab and surgical equipment, and assisting with post-operative care.

“This is a great opportunity for people who love pets, stay-at-home parents looking to get back into the workforce, recent high school grads or students who may be thinking about a veterinary career but want a feel for it first,” McPike said.

The Dental Assistant program consists of 120 hours of classroom instruction covering such topics as dental office procedures, anesthesia and pain control, delivering dental care, and prosthodontics, with another 160 hours spent in a hands-on externship in a dental clinic or office. Dental assistant duties include sterilizing instruments, taking impressions, assisting dentists chair-side, and keeping patient records and data.

“Students who complete the Dental Assistant program and gain some experience may decide they want to continue in the field,” McPike said. “They can then come back to COD and apply to the Dental Hygiene program to earn an associate's degree.”

Both courses begin the week of Tuesday, Sept. 6. The cost is $1,999 for Veterinarian Assistant and $2,999 for Dental Assistant, and tuition includes all books and fees. Payment plans are available for both programs, while people who are unemployed may be eligible for a tuition voucher provided through the Workforce Investment Act.

To learn more about these programs, the following advising sessions will be held at College of DuPage from 6 to 8 p.m. in Building K, Room 161: Dental Assistant on Tuesday, Aug. 9, and Veterinarian Assistant on Thursday, Aug. 11.

“The key to both programs is intensive learning in a condensed timeframe that leads to immediate employment, all at a reasonable price,” McPike said.

For information, call (630) 942-2524 or (630) 929-8604 or e-mail mcpike@cod.edu.

New Continuing Education Veterinarian Assistant, Dental Assistant Programs at COD

Continuing Education at College of DuPage is offering two new noncredit programs this fall.

The Veterinarian Assistant and Dental Assistant programs will be offered through COD's partnership with MK Education in Downers Grove, an instructional organization dedicated to the advancement of both pharmaceutical and allied health positions. The one-semester programs will join the successful Pharmacy Technician program and will be offered on the College's main campus in Glen Ellyn.

“We are providing students with the education to obtain entry-level positions,” said Gail McPike, Continuing Education program coordinator. “Students can then enter the workplace and use their education and training as a stepping stone toward future education within these career fields.”

The Veterinarian Assistant program provides 90 hours of classroom instruction covering such topics as client relations, office and hospital procedures, animal nursing, surgical prep, and exam room procedures. In addition, students participate in a 30-hour, hands-on externship in a veterinarian's office/clinic or animal hospital/clinic. Duties of a veterinarian assistant include providing kennel care for animals, sterilizing lab and surgical equipment, and assisting with post-operative care.

“This is a great opportunity for people who love pets, stay-at-home parents looking to get back into the workforce, recent high school grads or students who may be thinking about a veterinary career but want a feel for it first,” McPike said.

The Dental Assistant program consists of 120 hours of classroom instruction covering such topics as dental office procedures, anesthesia and pain control, delivering dental care, and prosthodontics, with another 160 hours spent in a hands-on externship in a dental clinic or office. Dental assistant duties include sterilizing instruments, taking impressions, assisting dentists chair-side, and keeping patient records and data.

“Students who complete the Dental Assistant program and gain some experience may decide they want to continue in the field,” McPike said. “They can then come back to COD and apply to the Dental Hygiene program to earn an associate's degree.”

Both courses begin the week of Tuesday, Sept. 6. The cost is $1,999 for Veterinarian Assistant and $2,999 for Dental Assistant, and tuition includes all books and fees. Payment plans are available for both programs, while people who are unemployed may be eligible for a tuition voucher provided through the Workforce Investment Act.

To learn more about these programs, the following advising sessions will be held at College of DuPage from 6 to 8 p.m. in Building K, Room 161: Dental Assistant on Tuesday, Aug. 9, and Veterinarian Assistant on Thursday, Aug. 11.

“The key to both programs is intensive learning in a condensed timeframe that leads to immediate employment, all at a reasonable price,” McPike said.

For information, call (630) 942-2524 or (630) 929-8604 or e-mail mcpike@cod.edu.