MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave College is expanding opportunities for students to enter the health care workforce with two career-focused certificate programs in behavioral health and medical laboratory assisting.
Both programs were developed in response to workforce needs and interest in shorter educational pathways that can help students gain employable skills while establishing a foundation for continued advancement.
“These certificates can help students get their foot in the door and start building a career in health care,” said Mohave College President Dr. Chrissy Holliday. “Whether you want to help people through behavioral health services or work in a medical lab, our students will gain the skills and knowledge to get started and keep moving forward.”
The Behavioral Health Aide Certificate prepares students for entry-level support roles serving people experiencing mental health, substance use and other behavioral health challenges. Coursework develops foundational skills for working with individuals and families as part of a behavioral health or human services team.
Potential career opportunities include behavioral health aide or technician, mental health technician, direct-care provider, residential support worker and community support specialist. Graduates may find employment with behavioral health clinics, residential treatment facilities, community organizations and home- and community-based service providers.
The certificate also provides a foundation for students who want to continue their education in human services, social work, substance use counseling or related fields. The College offers additional pathways in these areas, including its Bachelor of Arts in Human Services.
The Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate prepares students to support the professionals and processes that help health care providers diagnose, treat and prevent disease. Building on the College’s phlebotomy training, students develop hands-on skills in blood collection, specimen processing, quality assurance, laboratory procedures and workplace safety.
“This program bridges the gap between entry-level phlebotomy and a long-term path into the medical laboratory science field,” said Kandice Rankhorn, Practicum Coordinator. “Up to 70% of medical decisions depend on accurate lab results. By instilling strict quality standards and hands-on laboratory skills, we are empowering our students to make an immediate impact on patient outcomes today while opening clear pathways for their professional growth tomorrow.”
Graduates may pursue entry-level positions such as medical laboratory assistant, laboratory assistant, phlebotomist or specimen processor in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, diagnostic laboratories and blood collection centers. The certificate can also serve as a starting point for students interested in continuing their education toward more advanced laboratory careers.
Demand for trained behavioral health workers continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of psychiatric technicians and aides will increase 16% nationally from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. Health care providers also continue to need laboratory support professionals to collect, prepare and process the specimens used in patient testing.
New students can take the first step and create a student profile at FutureBighorn.com. More information about Mohave degrees, certificates and career-training programs is available at Mohave.edu.
