Improve the well-being of your community, especially its most vulnerable populations. At San Juan College School of Health Sciences, you will learn how to care for patients, assist in medical teams, and teach people how to live healthy lives. You can learn to help pets too!
We have 26 degree and certificate programs that will jumpstart your career in the health science field. These programs can be completed in two years, and some of them can be done in less than a year, while others can transfer directly to a bachelor's degree program. In addition, some of our courses and programs are offered online, meaning they are flexible and convenient.
As more and more people have access to health care, we need more compassionate and skilled health care providers—from billing to nursing to emergency medical services, and more. Find success at San Juan College, and prepare for a rewarding career that will impact your community.
An Immersive Learning Experience
As a health science student, you'll gain hands-on experience in our Health Sciences Simulation Center. This simulation laboratory helps you build the skills you need to provide quality care. Our instructors will provide you with in-depth instruction in each simulation. In addition, each room is equipped with cameras, microphones, and monitors so instructors can debrief you and suggest improvements.
Facilities:
- Emergency room
- Intensive care unit
- Nurses station
- Labor and delivery unit
- Simulation lab and control room
- Adult, pediatric, and neonatal patient simulators
Health Science Degrees and Certificates
As a dental hygienist, you will be an essential member of the dental team and will play an invaluable role in helping patients maintain good oral health. Helping to treat oral diseases, providing preventive dental care, taking x-rays and reviewing them for signs of dental diseases and instructing patients in effective home care are among the key skills you will learn with our associate degree. You can apply this degree to a B.S. in dental hygiene.
Skilled emergency medical service workers are in high demand. At San Juan College, you can start with a one-semester certificate program or earn a degree to become a paramedic. Explore our four certificate and two degree programs to see which one is right for you.
As health insurance becomes more complex, the need for qualified medical office workers has increased. Earn a Medical Insurance Coder/Biller Certificate or the Health Information Technology A.A.S. to be a part of this fast-growing field.
Students can complete the Health Information Technology Certificate 100% online.
Prepare for an advanced career in the medical field through earning an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Medical Science. Upon completion of the degree, you will have taken most of the courses required to take the MCAT. In addition, you will be prepared to transfer to a 4-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree toward your goal of becoming a doctor, surgeon, dentist, or veterinarian.
Be on the front lines of patient care as a nurse by earning an associate degree in nursing. You can also receive both an associate and a bachelor's in nursing with our partnership program with the University of New Mexico.
This growing field helps people with injuries or disabilities develop skills to participate in the things they want and need to do. Earn your associate degree to become an occupational therapy assistant and help clients achieve independence.
Be a part of one of the fastest growing occupations in the nation! Working closely with physical therapists, you'll play a critical role in helping patients of all ages regain or maintain their independence and lead active lives. We offer both a traditional on-campus program and an online hybrid program that leads to an associate degree as a physical therapist assistant.
The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Pre-Health Science is a flexible program that maximizes your ability to transfer to a 4-year school while also preparing you to enter many allied health fields. This includes occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, nursing, and more.
Are you interested in a career in the funeral industry? Have you considered a possible career as a Mortician, Embalmer, Funeral Director, etc. At San Juan College, the Pre-Mortuary Science Certificate will prepare you with the required pre-requisite courses to enable you to apply for an AAS in Mortuary Science. Furthermore, San Juan College has a transfer agreement with Arapahoe Community College to help you complete your AAS in Mortuary Science.
Assist people in understanding and taking their medication by becoming a pharmacist. The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Pre-Pharmacy and the Advanced Certificate program prepares you for direct acceptance into the University of New Mexico (UNM) Doctor of Pharmacy program. Students enrolled in this program will become part of the UNM College of Pharmacy Early Assurance Program.
Evaluate, treat, and help patients with respiratory problems and other heart and lung conditions through earning an associate degree in respiratory therapy. Join this fast-growing industry and serve as a vital member of a healthcare team.
As a surgical first assistant, you will support surgeons to ensure a safe operation. At San Juan College, you will receive hands-on lab training as well as assist in live surgical procedures. Earn your surgical first assistant certificate in 12 months.
Students can complete the Surgical First Assistant Certificate 100% online.
Be an integral part of the surgical team by becoming a surgical technologist. You will learn how to create a sterile and organized environment in a surgical room by managing surgical equipment and preparing the operating room. Prerequisites required.
Our online program is a rigorous yet flexible path if you seek a career as a credentialed veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, or practice manager. See why our graduates frequently test 15% to 20% above the national average in most testing categories.
Fast Track Programs
San Juan College offers three fast track programs so you can start your career in a shorter time. Train to be a certified nursing assistant, pharmacy technician, or phlebotomy technician.
Learn to assist patients in long-term care facilities in this 8-week course. You will master medical and bedside skills through training in our classrooms, simulation lab, and local healthcare facilities.
Complete this certificate program in 16 weeks to jumpstart your career as a pharmacy technician. Along with classroom learning, you will complete an externship as part of the course to gain on-site experience.
Assist hospitals and labs by becoming a phlebotomist through our Phlebotomy Certificate Program. Learn about the theory of blood specimen collection and processing, and then gain 100 hours of experience to increase your skills.
Health Science Career Pathways
As our population has more access to health care, there is a need for more health care workers to meet those needs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care job employment is projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, adding about 2.6 million new jobs.
Be a part of this rewarding and fast-growing field by training at San Juan College. See below for common careers from our health science career pathways:
- Dental hygienists
- EMTs and paramedics
- Nurses
- Medical records and health information specialists
- Occupational therapy assistants
- Physical therapist assistants
- Pharmacy technicians
- Phlebotomists
- Respiratory therapists
- Surgical first assistants
- Surgical technologists
- Veterinary technicians
Our health science graduates have found rewarding careers at:
- San Juan Regional Medical Center
- Mercy Medical Center
- Pinon Family Practice
- Farmington Fire Department
- Durango Fire Department
- Various dental groups
- Various veterinary clinics and hospitals and more!
