Dallas College provides opportunities for individuals to participate in health care apprenticeships all around the country through Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs).
Apprentices are full-time employees taking occupation-related courses online through Dallas College, a designated industry association and/or a designated employer.
IRAPs are high-quality apprenticeship programs that are entirely competency-based and award credit for prior learning and experience. This model allows apprentices to spend time learning only the skills needed to be successful — launching a sustainable career faster while earning a full-time salary and acquiring little to no student loan debt!
Health Care Culinary Services
This IRAP experience is an occupational training program in health care culinary services combining on-the-job work experience with technical/classroom study.
Individuals in this program develop useful job skills for either entry-level jobs in the culinary workforce or incumbent workers seeking upskilling opportunities. Apprentices are placed in one of three levels based on prior education and/or experience to achieve one of three American Culinary Federation credentials: Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC®), Certified Culinarian (CC®) or Certified Sous Chef (CSC®).
MRI Technologist
This IRAP experience prepares apprentices to operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners and view images of the anatomy scan to ensure picture quality.
Apprentices learn to monitor patient safety and comfort, administer gadolinium contrast dosage intravenously, interview patients, explain MRI procedures, position patients on the exam table and enter relevant data into the electronic health record system. The credential earned at the culmination of the IRAP is the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT®) Registered MRI Technologist certification.
Health Care Supply Chain Professional
This IRAP experience prepares participants for work in a high-impact occupation tackling global supply chain issues in health care such as COVID-19, natural disasters, cybersecurity breaches, trade disputes and more.
Individuals in this program develop useful job skills for career pathways in the supply chain profession by applying obtained knowledge, skills and abilities through this work-based learning apprenticeship opportunity and sitting for industry-recognized certifications through the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM®): Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM®) and/or the prominent Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP®), which has an emphasis on demand management, supply chain risk and modern supply chain technology trends. This IRAP experience aids in developing a career focused on optimizing supply chain operations and effectively managing the affordability and quality of patient care and sets apprentices on a career path toward supply chain leadership and executive operations.
Sterile Processing Technician
This IRAP experience is designed to equip apprentices with the experience, knowledge and skills necessary to provide competent services as a Sterile Processing Technician.
Sterile Processing Technicians are integral members of the health care team who are responsible for decontaminating, inspecting, assembling, disassembling, packaging and sterilizing reusable surgical instruments or devices in a health care facility. Apprentices are prepared to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST®) certification exam through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association.
Health Care Facility Engineer
This IRAP experience aids in the development of a career focused on optimizing the health care physical environment to keep patients safe and operations running efficiently.
Apprentices are set on a career path toward facility management, leadership and executive operations. Emphasis is placed on the ability to plan, direct or coordinate operations and functionalities of health care facilities and buildings. Apprentices are prepared to sit for the Facility Management Professional (FMP®) and/or Certified Facility Manager (CFM®) certification exam through the International Facility Management Association.
Medical Assistant: Administrative and/or Clinical Emphasis
This IRAP experience prepares apprentices for a career as a medical assistant in either an administrative role or a clinical capacity.
As a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA®), apprentices gain knowledge to establish a basic foundation in administrative medical assisting principles. Medical administrative assistants (also called medical office assistants or medical secretaries) are critical in keeping health care offices running smoothly and also play an important role in the patient experience. As a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA®), apprentices gain knowledge to establish a thorough foundation in clinical medical assisting principles. Medical assistants are critical members of health care teams in a variety of medical settings and are often the first and last person a patient interacts with, making a lasting impact on the patient experience. Apprentices sit for either the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA®) exam or the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA®) exam, both of which are through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
This IRAP experience equips apprentices for a career in health information.
Apprentices gain an understanding of clinical classification systems, reimbursement methodologies, health records and data content management, compliance, information technologies and confidentiality/privacy. Apprentices sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS®) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Coding professionals who hold the nationally recognized CBCS credential have demonstrated coding competency across all settings, including hospitals and physician practices.