Santa Clara Adult Ed Launches Affordable Medical Assistant and Eye Care Technician Certification Programs

Santa Clara Unified School District Adult Education is launching two Health Care Careers programs at the end of February to meet the high and growing demand in the Bay Area for trained and certified medical assistants and eye care technicians.

These short-term adult education programs are affordably priced far below the cost for similar training in private schools, which are unable to meet the industry demand for trained medical workers.

“Healthcare is the fastest growing industry and the largest source of jobs in the United States, and it is estimated that health care jobs will account for a third of all new US jobs in the near future,” said Benda Carrillo, Director for Educational Options at Santa Clara Adult Education, 1840 Benton St.

The employment of medical assistants has been projected to grow 29 percent in the decade from 2016 to 2026. Employment opportunities for eye care technicians are projected to grow 20 percent.

“Bay Area ODs [Doctors of Optometry] are screaming for help from skilled technicians,” said Richard Tom, OD, Santa Clara County Optometric Society President. “Training and certification will help you get a job and with better pay.”

Similar health care career training in private schools comes with a price tag of $15,000 to $27,000. At Adult Education, medical assistant tuition is $1,000 plus a $500 lab fee, payable in two increments. Eye Care Technician tuition is $499.

Medical assistants are trained to handle administrative and clinical tasks in health care offices and facilities, freeing physicians to see more patients. The Adult Education medical assistant program runs 20 weeks: Feb. 25 – Aug. 8, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Eye care technicians, under the supervision of an optometrist, record patient medical histories, help prepare patients for the vision examination and assist with tests and vision therapy.

The Adult Education eye care technician course runs Feb. 26 – May 8, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. It can be the first step on a career ladder to becoming an optician, frame stylist or paraoptometric coding specialist.

“Everyone is so excited to launch these programs and highly motivated to support students making this move into the healthcare field,” said Career Technical Education supervisor Connie Webb.

“The interest of the Santa Clara Unified School District Adult Education Program is to serve the needs of our community and local businesses by offering students the opportunity to gain market relevant skills that meet the local labor market demands,” said Carrillo.

For Adult Education and Health Care Careers program information, visit www.santaclaraadulted.org.  Email Webb for further information: cwebb@scusd.net. Santa Clara Adult Education classes are open to nonresidents.