West Windsor, N.J. - With excellent employment prospects in the allied health field, Mercer County Community College's Center for Continuing Studies is offering myriad certification prep courses to prepare entry-level and seasoned health care professionals. The Center also offers short-term classes to update skills. Taught by experts in their fields, most classes meet at the West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Individual courses may be taken on a non-certificate basis.

Back by popular demand is "Certificate in Drug Development & Clinical Research," a three-course series which consists of Foundations of Clinical Research and Study Design, Sept. 15-Nov. 17; Data Management, Sept. 16-Oct. 30 and Regulatory and Legal Issues in Drug Development (dates to be determined). All participants must have a bachelor's degree in health care or science. Students who complete the certificate program, and who apply and gain acceptance to Drexel University College of Medicine, will be awarded nine credits toward their Master's Degree in Clinical Research Organization and Management.

New this fall is a 24-session "Phlebotomy Technician Program," preparatory course designed to train professionals in how to conduct blood collection procedures and laboratory analysis. Classes will take place Sept. 28-Dec. 14 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays on Oct. 16, Nov. 6 and Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Classes will not meet Nov. 11 and 25. Also, for the first time, a four-module Veterinary Assistant Certificate Program will be offered beginning Sept. 14 for those seeking an entry-level career in the field of veterinary medicine.

Caring for the elderly and addressing issues associated with aging remains in the forefront for many in the health professions. The Center's "Certificate in Gerontology" program will meet the needs of both practitioners and personal caregivers. Three core courses will be offered: "Introduction to Gerontology," Sept. 11-Oct. 9; "Cognitive Changes and Memory Loss," on Saturdays Oct. 16-Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (class will not meet on Sept. 18 and Oct. 2) and "Holistic Aging," on Tuesdays Nov. 9-Nov. 30 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. To earn a certificate, participants must complete a capstone final project, which allows them to explore an issue or idea in depth.

A "Certified Home Health Aide for CNA's" program is on docket on Saturdays, Oct. 23 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for the certified nurse aide who seeks further career advancement. For novices, the basic fundamentals will be covered in the Center's "Certified Nurse Aide Program" on Saturdays Nov. 6- Feb. 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (classes will not meet Nov. 27, Dec. 25, Jan. 1 and 15). A mandatory free information session will be held on Wednesday, August 4 at 6 p.m. at the conference Center. Please check CCS's website for other dates. For an application, visit www.mccc.edu/ccs/CNA.

Offerings in other fast growing areas of health care include a "Certificate in Medical Billing/Coding Specialist" Sept. 13 -Jan. 24, "Basic Dental Office Skills" Sept. 15-29; a "Preparation Course for Dental Radiologic Technologists" Oct. 6-Jan. 26 (classes will not meet Nov. 24, Dec. 22 and 29); a "Pharmacy Technician Program," Sept. 15-Dec. 15, and a "Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam Preparation" course, Nov. 4-Dec. 2 (classes will not meet Nov. 11 and 25). Also scheduled is an "EKG Technician Certification Program" which runs Oct. 11-Dec. 1 (class will not meet Nov. 24).

For further information and to register for noncredit courses, call (609) 570-3311 or e-mail comed@mccc.edu. The fall 2010 bulletin is available online at www.mccc.edu/ccs.