Below are some listed accredited programs by specialty in Washington State:

Medical Assistant Programs

At the time of writing there are eighteen (18) CAAHEP accredited Medical Assistants programs in Washington state:

  • Bates Technical College (associate degree)
  • Carrington College (certification)
  • Clark College (certification)
  • Clover Park Technical College (associate degree)
  • Columbia Basin College (certification)
  • Everett Community College (certification & associates)
  • Highline College (certification)
  • Lake Washington Institute of Technology (certification)
  • Lower Columbia College (certification)
  • Olympic College (certification)
  • Peninsula College (certification)
  • Renton Technical College (certification)
  • Seattle Central College (certification)
  • South Puget Sound Community College (associate degree)
  • Spokane Community College (certification)
  • Wenatchee Valley College (certification)
  • Whatcom Community College (certification)
  • Yakima Community College (certification)

Nursing Assistant Programs

There are many nursing assistant programs available at nearly all nursing schools, but also available through many healthcare facilities and even out of high schools. If you are interested in programs to become a nursing assistant, reach out to your school advisor, education planner, or any of the following colleges and they should be able to point you to many options. You can also review the nursing commission website for your state to look for approved NA, LPN, RN and beyond programs in your state. For nursing assistant programs in Washington State, you can utilize the NCQAC website here: https://nursing.wa.gov/education/nursing-assistant-education-programs/nursing-assistant-training-programs

There are seven (7) nursing commission approved LPN programs in Washington State, and those are:

  • Bates Technical College
  • Bellingham Technical College
  • Clover Park Technical College
  • Edmonds College
  • Green River Community College
  • Olympic College
  • Yakima Valley Community College

There are also seven (7) nursing commission approved LPN to RN (associate degree) programs in Washington State:

  • Bellingham Technical College
  • Highline Community College
  • Lower Columbia College
  • Pierce College in Puyallup
  • Shoreline Community College
  • Skagit Valley College at Mt. Vernon/Whidbey Island
  • Tacoma Community College
  • Walla Walla Community College

There are six (6) LPN to BSN programs in Washington State:

  • Columbia Basin College
  • Green River Community College
  • Olympic College
  • Pacific Lutheran University
  • Saint Martin University
  • Wenatchee Valley College in Omak

There are twenty five (25) nursing commission approved associate degree programs to receive your RN licensure in Washington State:

  • Bellevue College
  • Bellingham Technical College
  • Big Bend Community College
  • Centralia College
  • Clark College
  • Columbia Basin College
  • Everett Community College
  • Grays Harbor College
  • Highline Community College
  • Lake WA Institute of Technology
  • Lower Columbia College
  • Olympic College
  • Peninsula College
  • Pierce College in Puyallup
  • Renton Technical College
  • Seattle Colleges
  • Shoreline Community College
  • Skagit Valley College – Mt. Vernon/Whidbey Island
  • South Puget Sound Community College
  • Spokane Community College
  • Tacoma Community College
  • Walla Walla Community College
  • Wenatchee Valley College
  • Whatcom Community College
  • Yakima Valley Community College

There are twelve (12) nursing commission approved baccalaureate degree programs in Washington State:

  • Gonzaga University
  • Heritage University
  • Northwest University
  • Pacific Lutheran University
  • Saint Martin’s University
  • Seattle Pacific University
  • Seattle University
  • University of Washington
  • Walla Walla University
  • Washington State University – Spokane
  • Washington State University – Tri-Cities
  • Washington State University – Yakima

There are fifteen (15) nursing commission approved RN to BSN programs in Washington State:

  • Bellevue College
  • Columbia Basin College
  • Northwest University
  • Olympic College – they also have a VL-BSN (veterans and LPN to BSN)
  • Saint Martin’s University
  • University of Washington at Bothell
  • University of Washington at Tacoma
  • Washington State University – Spokane
  • Washington State University – Tri Cities
  • Washington State University – Vancouver
  • Washington State University – Lower Columbia College Campus
  • Washington State University – Walla Walla
  • Washington State University – Yakima
  • Walla Walla University
  • Wenatchee Valley College

When looking at nursing schools you may consider the cost of pass rates of the licensure exam, completion rates for students in the program, tuition costs, opportunities for financial aid, as well as the college or classroom sizes and program admission information.

Physical Therapy Assistant Programs

At the time of writing, Washington has six (6) CAPTE accredited PTA schools including:

  • Green River College
  • Lake Washington Institute of Technology
  • Olympic College
  • Pima Medical Institute in Seattle
  • Spokane Falls Community College
  • Whatcom Community College

When looking at PTA schools you may consider the cost of tuition, pass rates of the licensure exam, opportunities for financial aid, as well as the college or classroom sizes and program admission information.

Respiratory Therapy Programs

At the time of writing this chapter, Washington has five (5) CoARC accredited respiratory therapy schools, 4 bachelors and 2 associates, including:

  • Highline College (bachelor degree)
  • Pima Medical Institute – Renton (associate degree)
  • Seattle Central College (bachelor degree)
  • Spokane Community College (bachelor degree)
  • Tacoma Community College (associate degree)

Surgical Technology Programs

At the time of writing this chapter, Washington has seven (7) CAAHEP accredited surgical technician schools, including:

  • Bellingham Technical College (associate degree)
  • Clover Park Technical College (associate degree)
  • Columbia Basin College (associate degree)
  • Renton Technical College (associate degree)
  • Seattle Central College (associate degree and certificate options)
  • Spokane Community College (associate degree)
  • Yakima Valley College (associate degree)

EMS Programs

There are several EMS programs within the state of Washington at various community and technical colleges. There are certificate programs that can be completed in one term that prepare you to take the EMT (NREMT) Exam. There are also associate’s degrees offered throughout the state. The Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services takes approximately two years to complete. An associates degree prepares students for transfer to a four year college or university in order to work in paramedicine and emergency management.

Paramedic programs are more scarce, however, they are offered in several geographic areas throughout the state of Washington. Paramedic programs are available at the following: Harborview Medical Center (University of Washington), Central Washington University, Providence Health Training, Columbia Basin Community College, Tacoma Community College, and Tacoma Fire Department.

Bachelor’s of science degrees in EMS Paramedicine are available as well. These degrees are ideal for individuals seeking to further their careers in paramedicine and trauma.

Health Educator Programs

Highline Community College offers an AAS in Community Health and Wellness. The degree offers 3 separate specializations (direct care, global and public health and patient advocate). Tacoma Community College offers a Community Health professional associates degree as well. There are not many associate level programs within the state. This is mainly due to the CHES certificate requiring a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.

There are several bachelors programs in health science and public health throughout the state. Eastern Washington University, Seattle Central College, University of Washington Bothell campus, Walla Walla University and Bastyr University all have B.S. in Health Science degree programs. University of Washington has a bachelor’s level public health program. Lake Washington Institute of Technology recently developed a Bachelor’s in Public Health as well.

Substance Abuse Disorder Professional Programs

There are programs offered in Washington state that prepare candidates to become a SUPD. Highline College, Yakima Community College, Centralia College and Whatcom Community colleges all offer AAS in SUDP. These programs consist of 90 credit hours of SUDP coursework.

As stated previously, some addiction counseling programs may fall under a different name, such as Chemical Dependency Professional. However, as long as the 90 credits of coursework has been completed, then you can apply to the state of Washington for licensure.

Pharmacy Technician Programs

There are several community colleges In Washington State that offer Pharmacy Technician certificates and/or associate’s degrees including Edmonds Community College, Olympic Community College, Renton Technical College, Skagit Valley Community College, Tacoma Community College and Wenatchee Valley Community College.

Medical Interpreter Programs

There are limited medical interpreting programs in Washington state at this time. Everett Community College offers a Medical Spanish Interpreter certificate. This certificate is 10 credits and involves coursework such as medical terminology and medical interpreting targeting the Spanish language.

There are also various online courses that meet the needs of Washington State’s qualifications. Medical interpreters often enroll in an online training course, take an appropriate exam and apply to work as an interpreter. While there are not many medical interpretation programs in Washington state, there are several programs across state lines at community or technical colleges.

Social Work Programs

Currently, there is one Bachelor’s level program at a community college in WA state. Whatcom Community College offers a Bachelor of applied science (BAS) degree in social work. The program requires an associate degree prior to entrance and focuses on coursework in the following areas: communication, psychology, biology and statistics.

There are numerous Bachelor and Master level programs throughout the state as well. Often social workers will obtain a Master’s degree in social work, counseling or psychology. These higher level degrees are often required throughout the country.

Social work is a profession that makes a huge impact on the community and provides services to diverse populations. At all three levels mentioned previously, social workers advocate for individuals, families and communities as they face challenges such as socioeconomic barriers and hardships. Ultimately, improving the lives of clients and communities is the goal of social work.

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Introduction to Healthcare Professions V1 Copyright © by SBCTC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.