Continue Your Education

Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) and Nursing Station Tech Diploma

• At Hennepin Technical College (link)

• 17 credits (1 year) and includes an internship

• There is the shorter certificate for HUC (1 semester) but if you add the second semester then it completes the Nursing Station Tech diploma.

• This training generally pays better than the Medical Office or Medical Assistant because the Coordinator usually works in a specialized acute care area in a clinic or hospital. The Coordinator is mostly stationary at a desk but works to complete orders by physicians and coordinates care for patients and nursing.

  1. • Metro South’s 2 credit Medical Terminology class fits into this program

     • Metro South’s CPR certification (in NA Prep class) fits in for the Nursing Tech requirement

     • Metro South’s Office Support class can help prepare you with office and people skills.

Medical Assistant

• At Hennepin Techincal College

• 60 credit (2 year) program

• Assists with patient care management: clinical, lab and administrative duties. Collect patient data, etc.

  • • Metro South’s 2 credit Medical Terminology class fits in the program

    • Metro South’s CPR certification (in NA Prep class) fits in this program

    • Metro South’s Office Support class can help prepare you with office and people skills.

Medical Laboratory Technology degree (AAS - 2 yrs)

• North Hennepin Community College - Medical Laboratory Technology AAS

• St. Paul Community College - Medical Laboratory Technician

Sterile Instrument Processing Tech Programs

• Recommended you take Metro South Med Term and NAHA classes first!

• Avg. starting wage MN: $17/hour. Job titles: Central Services Technician, Surgical Equipment Preprocessors, Medical Equipment Processors

• After you get certified, apply to Fairview Hospital.

• Later, get more education to become a surgical technologist (18 months program - 2 years) - and work in the operating room (need excellent English)

Mnpls Community College - Central Services Technician (Equipment Sterilization) - Certificate Program (10 credits)

• In this program, you will learn how to sterilize medical instruments, learn basic surgical instrumentation and medical terminology as well as decontamination and sterilization processes. This includes an internship at a healthcare facility. Once you complete the program can take the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution’s certification exam.

St. Paul College - Sterile Processing (Certificate) Program (30 credits)

• The Sterile Processing Certificate is a 30-credit program that prepares graduates to work in medical facilities that prepare surgical instruments, supplies and equipment necessary for healthcare. ​​​This program includes a broad introduction to health sciences, as well as medical language, communication and computers. The program curriculum includes decontamination, preparation, packing, sterilization and sterile storage.

New Tuition-free Pathway to Earn a Degree in High Need Fields

• Minnesota Future Together Grants will provide eligible Minnesotans with a tuition-free pathway for earning a certificate, diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree at any public institution in the state. The grants are available starting spring 2022 through 2024.

• If you are currently studying healthcare, STEM, business, industry and technology, education, or public service at a public institution, reach out to your college's financial aid office. And if you're a perspective student looking to go into one of these fields, chat with an admissions representative about the opportunity.