Elevate Competency-Based Training

Dallas College provides opportunities for individuals to participate in innovative, employer-driven experiences nationwide through our programs called Elevate.

Full time employee-trainees take occupation-related courses online through Dallas College, a designated industry association and/or a designated employer.

These high quality, employer-centered and competency-based programs award credit for prior learning and experience. Participants 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 debt. Employers can use the Elevate framework to upskill incumbent employees or use it as part of a comprehensive career pipeline strategy for new hires.

Elevate programs are recognized by the American National Standards Institute National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and lead to an industry-recognized credential.

The following Elevate programs (formerly IRAPs) were developed with a grant from the U. S. Department of Labor and were created with health care industry experts in each specific field.

Health Care Culinary Services

This 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. Participants 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 experience prepares participants to operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners and view images of the anatomy scan to ensure picture quality.

Participants 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 experience is the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT^®) Registered MRI Technologist certification.

Man wearing labcoat with clipboard and boxes

Health Care Supply Chain Professional

This 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 on the job 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^®). This experience aids in developing a career focused on optimizing supply chain operations and effectively managing the affordability and quality of patient care and sets participants on a career path toward supply chain leadership and executive operations.

Sterile Processing Technician

This experience is designed to equip participants with the experience, knowledge and skills necessary to provide competent services as a sterile processing technician.

Sterile processing technicians are responsible for decontaminating, inspecting, assembling, disassembling, packaging and sterilizing reusable surgical instruments or devices in a health care facility. Participants 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 experience aids in the development of a career focused on optimizing the health care physical environment to keep patients safe and operations running efficiently.

Participants 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. Participants are prepared to sit for the Facility Management Professional (FMP^®) and/or Certified Facility Manager (CFM^®) certification exam through the International Facility Management Association.

Woman wearing scrubs standing with a medical team

Medical Assistant: Administrative and/or Clinical Emphasis

This experience prepares participants for a career as a medical assistant, in either an administrative or a clinical role.

As a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA^®), participants gain knowledge and 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^®), participants gain a thorough foundation in clinical medical assisting principles. Medical assistants are often the first and last person a patient interacts with, making a lasting impact on the patient experience. Participants sit for either the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA^®) exam or the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA^®) exam, both of which are awarded by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Woman sitting in an office reviewing documents at a computer

Medical Billing & Coding Specialist

This experience equips participants for a career in health information.

Participants gain an understanding of clinical classification systems, reimbursement methodologies, health records and data content management, compliance, information technologies and confidentiality/privacy. Participants 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.

Smiling African American man pharmacist Writing On Clipboard While standing in interior of pharmacy

Certified Pharmacy Technician

This experience prepares participants to work in a variety of pharmacy settings including hospital, community, and retail pharmacies.

Program participants gain an understanding of the underlying knowledge, attitudes, personal attributes, and interpersonal skills that are important to the pharmacy technician occupation. Primary responsibilities include preparing medication under the direction of a pharmacist; measuring, mixing, counting, labeling and recording medications according to prescription orders; managing inventory; receiving prescription requests from patients and doctors’ offices; establishing and maintaining patient records; accepting payment and processing insurance claims. Upon program completion, participants will sit for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

If you are an employer or individual seeking information about using an Elevate program in your organization, please reach out to Krista Watkins at Krista.Watkins@DallasCollege.edu.