Our Psychiatric Technician Program at West Hills College Coalinga is accredited by California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.  The one year program consists of three sixteen week terms with content areas in nursing science, psychiatric nursing and care of the developmentally disabled.  An applicant must be 18 years of age; Math 87 and English 51A or equivalency; have a high school diploma or GED; and pass background clearance and a physical examination in order to qualify for the vocational training program.  Thirty to forty-five can be admitted to the program in August, December and April.  Once the student completes the required training:  Theory/classroom and clinical/lab; they must successfully pass the state mandated licensing examination in order to be employed as a licensed Psychiatric Technician. 

The 9 week - 160 hours nurse assistant training program was approved by the Department of Health Services (DHS) and the West Hills College curriculum committee in 2002.  Once the student successfully completes the required content: theory, skills lab and clinical experience; established by DHS, they take a certification examination administered by the Red Cross.  This course offering rotates through two campuses in this district; North District Center and Coalinga.  The Lemoore campus is in the process of putting this course offering in place.

There is much demand and job opportunity for the students that successfully complete both of these programs.
We strongly suggest that you take a medical terminology class while you wait for admission.

In the future we are working towards a Medical Assisting, a Surgical Technician and an LVN program.  We would like to develop an articulation program to registered nurse, in cooperation with West Hills College Lemoore.  The director and the dean are actively pursuing these programs, so watch the website for announcements and progress.

To reach us call 559.934.2760, or use our email address.  Please leave a message if you reach voicemail; we will get back to you. If you wish to have an application sent to you, leave us your mailing address and other contact information.