The Culinary Program at Western Iowa Tech is centered on American Culinary Federation program competencies. In this program you will learn concepts and theories relative to the Culinary Arts and have the opportunity to practice these concepts in our state-of-the art theory kitchen. You will have working knowledge in sanitation and safety, knife skills, stocks and sauces, garde manger, ingredient identification, baking, nutrition, financial management, purchasing and cost control, cooking methods, front of house service, food sustainability, human resource management, entrepreneurship and business, menu planning and design, protein fabrication, beverage service, ethnic world cuisine.

Western Iowa Tech's Culinary program is one of only a handful of programs that has a dedicated class focusing on knife skills. All graduates with a diploma or higher are Serve Safe Certified before they are eligible for a credential. You are prepared to take leadership roles within the industry due to the strong emphasis of experiencing real-world techniques and applications. The program is noted for its high standards which has translated into very positive outcomes for our students.

This program prepares you to provide professional chef and related cooking services in restaurants and other commercial food establishments. You can go on to work in all facets of the industry from high-end "white tablecloth" restaurants to contract food services at universities and hospitals. Many graduates of this program manage kitchens all over the United States and in 40 local establishments including Hard Rock Casino, M's on 4th, Clyde's, and P's Pizza.

This certificate program provides students the opportunity to create, collect, manage, retrieve, and access medical records using an electronic records system. Students will use software to create/edit patient demographic and provider files used in a medical care setting.

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic system. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients' medical and treatment histories.

The Electrician program offers an industry-approved curriculum for those who are excited to learn the knowledge and skills essential for an entry-level position as an Electrician. This two-semester program provides you basic training in applied electrical theory related to residential, commercial, and industrial wiring. Included in the program will be how to read blueprints, electrical estimating, electrical safety, and building codes. OSHA recognized electrical safety practices are emphasized throughout the two semesters.

You gain valuable on-side electrical planning and wiring experience on an actual job site at the Western Iowa Tech Project Home located in Sioux City. Through our partnership with the Siouxland Homebuilders Association, and strong working relationship with local inspectors, you gain valuable experience essential to begin employment in less than nine months. On-site training and classroom-lab instruction are designed to build your confidence and skill in performing quality work while always recognizing the industry safety standards.

Electricians may choose to work in residential electrical construction, commercial electrical construction, or in an industrial electrical maintenance career. Positions are also available with electric utility companies and in electrical equipment sales. Graduates may use their electrical skills as a "stepping stone" into apprenticeship training depending on the needs of the employer.

Western Iowa Tech offers several nursing programs for students interested in pursuing a nursing career. Once a student completes the Nursing Assistant - CNA certificate or work as a CNA, they enroll in the Nursing - PN Diploma. Practical Nursing is a 1-year program available in Sioux City, Denison, Cherokee, and hybrid (partially online and partially in Sioux City. Cherokee and hybrid have a fall only start). The Practical Nursing diploma prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam in order to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). When the student becomes an LPN they progress into the second year of additional training with the Nursing - ADN program. This program is available in Sioux City, Denison, and hybrid (partially online and partially in Sioux City, fall only start). Graduates of the Associate Degree of Nursing program are prepared to write for the NCLEX-RN to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN).

This course is designed to provide the you with the fundamentals of patient care in the health care environment. You will learn basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, meeting human needs, safety measures, infection control, and physical care.

This program will prepare you to become valuable members of a health care team.

You will assist individuals in the rehabilitation process and in performing those activities of daily living that most of us take for granted to help maintain our health status.

This program provides you with the knowledge and skills required to pass the state's certification exam.

The pharmacy technician diploma program will prepare you for entry-level pharmacy technician positions in both the institutional and community pharmacy setting. The pharmacy technician is one of the fastest growing professions in the medical care field. A pharmacy technician is an individual who works under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. You may perform many of the same duties as a pharmacist; however, all of your work must be checked by a pharmacist before mediations can be dispensed to a customer or patient.

Additional duties may include: receiving and verifying written prescriptions, taking prescription refill requests, preparing IV medications, operating computer and automation systems, applying prescription and auxiliary labels to medication bottles, control and price inventorying, ordering supplies, restocking shelves, preparing insurance claim forms and operating cash registers.

The Veterinary Assistant program prepares you to work as veterinary assistants in a variety of settings including animal hospitals and clinics, animal shelters, laboratories, zoos, and animal parks. The veterinary assistant provides basic care, performs laboratory procedures, and assists in the veterinary clinic with other functions.

The program includes classroom theory and laboratory time. You receive hands-on experience with animals. Program content requires the application of basic math, technical reading, and communication skills.

As a graduate you will be able to provide basic nursing animal care and assist with laboratory procedures used in veterinary clinics, including surgical procedures in clinics, as well as field settings.

Western Iowa Tech offers several nursing programs for students interested in pursuing a nursing career. Once a student completes the Nursing Assistant - CNA certificate or work as a CNA, they enroll in the Nursing - PN Diploma. Practical Nursing is a 1-year program available in Sioux City, Denison, Cherokee, and hybrid (partially online and partially in Sioux City. Denison, and Cherokee and hybrid have a fall only start). The Practical Nursing diploma prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam in order to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). When the student becomes an LPN they progress into the second year of additional training with the Nursing - ADN program. Graduates of the Associate Degree of Nursing program are prepared to write for the NCLEX-RN to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN).

This program generally prepares individuals in the knowledge, techniques and procedures for promoting health, providing care for sick, disabled, infirmed, or other individuals or groups. Includes instruction in the administration of medication and treatments, assisting a physician during treatments and examinations, referring patients to physicians and other health are specialists and planning education for health maintenance.

Western Iowa Tech offers several nursing programs for students interested in pursuing a nursing career. Once a student completes the Nursing Assistant - CNA certificate or work as a CNA, they enroll in the Nursing - PN Diploma. Practical Nursing is a 1-year program available in Sioux City, Denison, Cherokee, and hybrid (partially online and partially in Sioux City. Denison, and Cherokee and hybrid have a fall only start). The Practical Nursing diploma prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam in order to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). When the student becomes an LPN they progress into the second year of additional training with the Nursing - ADN program. Graduates of the Associate Degree of Nursing program are prepared to write for the NCLEX-RN to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN).

This program prepares individuals to assist in providing general nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse, physician or dentist. Includes instruction in taking patient vital signs, applying sterile dressings, patient health education, and assistance with examinations and treatment. This program has additional entrance requirements.

This certificate is designed for individuals who anticipate working with an ambulance service, hospital emergency department, fire department, or other occupational fields where medical emergencies are common. Curriculum includes but is not limited to an overview of anatomy and physiology; medical terminology; patient assessment; basic life support in relation to cardiac arrest, trauma, and other medical emergencies. Instruction in extrication of the injured is also covered. This course provides the student an opportunity to apply cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills in a supervised clinical or field setting. Successful completion of course requirements will qualify students to take the NREMT certification examination for Emergency Medical Technician.

Students are responsible for all transportation to and from clinical and field experiences.

The Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

The Medical Assistant program is a three-semester diploma program that prepares you to be multi-skilled allied health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings, such as physicians' offices, clinics, and group practices performing administrative and clinical procedures. Our goal is to prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

As a graduate from this program you will be prepared to participate in the development, management, and evaluation of early childhood programs as well as in the implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum for children from birth through age eight. The program emphasizes skills needed to support cultural, linguistic, and ability diverse children and their families.

Employment opportunities include lead teacher, assistant teacher, director, site manager, and in-home child care owner.

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration (HVAC) program includes a study of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration for residential and light commercial equipment. You are trained to be HVAC technicians in a real-world, hands-on lab environment.

The HVAC facility is equipped with state-of-the-art HVAC systems including geo-thermal and other high-efficiency systems. In addition, you will have ample opportunity to work on conventional HVAC systems.

Technicians will be needed to troubleshoot and maintain HVAC systems because of the increasing number of new residential and commercial structures and to respond to the increased demand for energy management, conservation, and other "green" technologies.

This program is designed to prepare you to assume an active role in providing quality dental services under the direction of a licensed dentist. Preparation includes infection control management, chairside assisting procedures in general and specialty dentistry; management of medical and dental emergencies; intra- and extra-oral radiographic procedures; patient education; fabrication of oral appliances; and basic business office procedures.

You'll learn all the skills necessary to practice dental assisting in this two-semester program.

• Learn theory in the classroom or online.
• Practice skills hands-on in our state-of-the-art lab at the Sioux City campus.
• Apply knowledge and skills in multiple clinic settings.

This program has additional entrance requirements. You must complete all requirements for program admission.

This program will provide you with the legal knowledge and administrative skills to serve as a paralegal, working closely with not only attorneys in law firms, but also corporations, real estate companies, government agencies and the banking industry. 

The courses taught in the program will focus on realistic projects, case studies, and practical application of classroom instruction. In both the classroom and through internships you will develop professional networking relationships and have the opportunity to investigate various aspects of the paralegal/legal assistant profession. The program provides the educational background enabling you to prepare for and take the NALA and NALS national certification exams.

A Surgical Technologist (ST) is a healthcare professional who works as part of the surgical team to ensure the operative procedure is completed under optimal conditions. You will work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other key surgical personnel in hospital operating rooms and outpatient surgery centers. STs play a critical role in surgical patient care.

Your primary responsibility as a Surgical Technologist is maintaining the sterile field and being constantly vigilant that all members of the team adhere to proper aseptic techniques that prevent contamination or infection. You must anticipate the needs of the surgeon, pass instruments and provide sterile items in an efficient manner, as well as directly assist by handling tissue, using instruments, and providing wound exposure within the operative field. Surgical Technologists are in demand across the state.

The Surgical Technology program prepares you to function as a member of the surgical team in hospitals and clinics with registered nurses and surgeons in the operating room. The graduate is qualified to prepare the surgical environment and function as a team member during the operative procedures. National certification is available to graduates.