Looking to start a rewarding career in healthcare or build on your current experience? Iowa Valley’s short-term health training programs make it possible to gain hands-on skills and job-ready experience in just weeks or months — not years.

With a high demand for healthcare workers, increased wages, and sign-on bonuses offered across Iowa, there’s never been a better time to start a healthcare career.

Hospitals, long-term care facilities, and emergency services are all seeking skilled professionals — from CNAs and Medication Aides to EMTs, Phlebotomists, and Pharmacy Technicians. Iowa Valley’s short-term health programs give students the hands-on training and certifications needed to step into these roles quickly.

Whether you want to care for patients, support emergency responders, or work in a clinical or lab setting, Iowa Valley can help you build a stable, meaningful career in healthcare — and start making a difference right away.

There’s never been a more important — or rewarding — time to step into healthcare. Someone’s child, parent, or grandparent may one day depend on you, and your care can make all the difference.

With healthcare professionals in high demand and employers offering sign-on bonuses and competitive wages, Iowa Valley’s short-term health programs are a great way to begin or advance your career.

From caring for residents as a CNA to responding to emergencies as an EMT or collecting life-saving lab samples as a Phlebotomy Technician, each role plays a vital part in helping others live healthier, safer lives. Start training today and become the difference someone needs tomorrow.

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) — Learn to provide compassionate, quality care to residents in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and assisted living centers. This 76-hour course (including 30 clinical hours) prepares students for CNA certification and entry-level jobs as nurse aides or patient care assistants.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) — Train to respond to medical emergencies and provide life-saving care in the field. With 140+ classroom hours and 48+ clinical/field hours, you’ll be ready to work as an EMT with ambulance services, fire departments, or hospitals. Advanced EMT (AEMT) — Take your EMT skills further with advanced training in trauma and cardiac emergencies. Graduates often move into higher-level EMS roles or continue toward paramedic certification.

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) — Ideal for first responders such as firefighters, police officers, or safety personnel, this 60-hour class teaches immediate life-saving techniques like CPR, bleeding control, and patient stabilization.

Phlebotomy Technician — Get the skills to draw blood safely and accurately in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. This 110-hour course combines classroom learning with live blood draws and clinical practice, preparing you for employment as a phlebotomist or lab assistant.

Medication Aide — Designed for CNAs with 480+ hours of work experience, this course (48 hours of classroom and up to 20 clinical hours) prepares you to safely administer medications in long-term care or assisted living facilities.

Medication Manager — This 20-hour program trains individuals to assist with or supervise medication administration in small residential or community-based programs, expanding job options in group homes and assisted living.

Pharmacy Technician — Offered online with a hands-on externship, this course prepares you for national certification and employment in retail or hospital pharmacies.

Medical Coding and Billing — This 80-hour program helps build hands-on skills to process insurance claims, use CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS coding manuals, and navigate real-world billing procedures with confidence. This program prepares you for the NHA Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam and lays the foundation for advanced national certifications. Live on Zoom two nights a week from late February through mid-July!

These short-term programs offer flexible scheduling, real-world training, and direct pathways into in-demand healthcare careers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance, Iowa Valley has a class that can help you make a difference — and start working in healthcare sooner.

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Vanessa Johansen is the Health Education Coordinator for Iowa Valley Business and Community Solutions.