Healthcare Careers Start at Three Rivers!

From Nursing to Dental Assisting, Exercise Training to Medical Billing, we’ve got you covered. You’ll find degree programs and short-term, non-credit training programs that will prepare you for a career in the growing field of healthcare.

Nursing and Allied Health Associate Degree Programs

With our degree programs and transfer agreements that lead to four-year degrees or directly to a career, Three Rivers can be the starting point for any healthcare path you choose.

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, A.S.

Certified Clinical Medical Assistants will play a vital role in today’s healthcare field. Graduates of our associate degree program will be knowledgeable in both the business and clinical skills necessary in a healthcare provider office and are eligible to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam (CCMA). They can get started in a new career immediately or can choose to continue their studies toward a bachelor’s degree in health information technology. Learn more.

Dental Hygiene Transfer Compact – Coming Soon!

Three Rivers graduates who complete a General Studies, A.S. can transfer directly into University of New Haven’s Dental Hygiene Program. Dental hygienists provide preventative oral care and teach patients how to maintain good oral health, all under a dentist’s supervision. For more information on the degree and the transfer compact, contact Director of Nursing and Allied Health Cynthia Arpin at carpin@trcc.commnet.edu.

Exercise Science Studies, A.A. – CSCU Pathway Transfer Degree

Upon completion of this transfer Exercise Studies degree program, graduates will have a comprehensive knowledge of Exercise Studies and can transfer seamlessly to colleges within the Connecticut College State University system. They are guaranteed full junior status in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline and will not lose any credits or need to take extra credits upon transfer. Learn more.

Exercise Science, A.S.

This program is designed to provide you with a strong basic foundation in the area of exercise science as well as a broad background in general education. If interested in furthering your education by transferring to a four-year institution, the program will prepare you to transfer to an exercise science or other health related program. Learn more.

Nursing, A.S.

Our Nursing program is highly competitive, and its outstanding results are credited to the great relationships developed between students and faculty. The nursing program at Three Rivers is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. and state approved through the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing with the consent of the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The Nursing Program will provide the student with the knowledge and skills to practice in a safe, effective and competent manner within the legal and ethical framework for an entry-level Registered Nurse. Learn more.

Sports and Leisure Management, A.S.

This program will provide you with knowledge in areas of recreational management, fitness and training, nutrition, facility design and management, marketing, business law, accounting and risk management. Upon completion of this degree, you will be prepared to work as an Athletic Director, Facilities Manager, in professional sports management, and travel/leisure.  Learn more.

Workforce Allied Health Short-Term Training Programs

Three Rivers offers non-credit training programs and certification in some of the fastest-growing health care careers in Connecticut. Here are our offerings.

American Heart Association Basic Life Support (AHA BLS)

Basic Life Support is the foundation for saving lives after cardiac arrest. This four-hour course teaches both single-rescuer and team basic support skills for application in prehospital and in-facility environments, focusing on high-quality CPR and team dynamics. Learn more.

Central Sterile Processing Technician

This program includes 80 hours program includes classroom time covering decontamination and sterilization processing, anatomy and physiology, microbiology infection control, and identification of surgical instruments. Students will also be required to complete a clinical externship. Central Sterile Processing Technicians (CSPT) are responsible for packaging surgical instruments in hospitals, medical offices, surgical centers, and clinics. Learn more

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)

The Certified Nurse Aide training program is designed to prepare individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a Certified Nurse Aide, the first step to a career in the medical field. Upon successful completion of this 105 hour course, the graduate will be qualified to be placed on the State Certified Nurse Aide Registry. Learn more.

Dementia Care Certificate

This course will cover how to recognize when someone has a cognitive impairment, how to approach individuals living with cognitive impairment, and strategies to encourage and promote continued independence in the community. Students who complete this 5-hour course will receive a certificate of completion.  Learn More

Dental Assistant

This 2-semester (Fall/Spring) program consists of 200 lecture/lab hours + 150 clinical hours at an offsite location and is designed to introduce students into the dental profession. It will teach students about what is required to work in a dental practice. Topics include; infection control, dental charting, preparing the patient, basic chair-side assisting, dental instruments and hand-pieces, tray set-up and procedures, dental materials, and business administration procedures. Learn more.

EKG Technician

EKG Technicians are responsible for performing electrocardiogram (EKG) tests in order to monitor and record electrical impulses transmitted by the heart. This comprehensive 40-hour EKG Technician Certification Program prepares students to function as EKG Technicians and take their national certification exams. Learn more.

Introduction to Medical Cannabis

This course provides introductory knowledge about cannabis as well as detailed information about how medical cannabis is practiced in Connecticut. This class will explore approved medical conditions and how cannabis can be used to treat them. A variety of topics including state laws on medical marijuana, the chemical composition of cannabis, and how it plays a role in human physiology and pharmacology. Learn more.

Professional Medical Billing and Coding

This one-year program trains you to work with billing systems, insurance coding, and patient charts in physician offices, outpatient hospital facilities, even insurance companies, and more. Upon completion of the program, you will be prepared to apply to become nationally certified as a CPC-A (Certified Professional Coder Apprentice) by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).  Learn more.

Pharmacy Technician

This 134 hour program trains you to be a pharmacy technician who will work under the supervision of a registered pharmacist at pharmacies in hospitals, clinics, retail pharmacies, and other facilities. A pharmacy technician’s main responsibility is filling prescriptions according to doctors’ orders for dispensing to patients. Learn more.

Phlebotomy Technician

This accelerated 120 hour program trains you to be an important member of the clinical laboratory team, drawing blood from patients, transporting the blood specimens to the laboratory to prepare for testing, and entering patient data into computer systems. You will be prepared for entry-level competencies as phlebotomists in hospitals, clinics, blood banks, and other healthcare settings. Learn more.

Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary Assistants are a critical part of the veterinary practice team. From patient care to client education, veterinary assistants contribute in many important ways. The Veterinary Assistant program trains people for a career working as a veterinary assistant. Learn more.