Health Careers and Nursing

Make a Career in Healthcare and Nursing

Oakton College provides the guidance you need to take your first steps into a variety of healthcare and related fields. Nursing and healthcare degrees are consistently in high demand in our region and across the county. Healthcare is an industry that affects every citizen of the United States, so you can count on job opportunities being plentiful and reliable. Oakton will set you on the path to the certifications and training you need to succeed as a healthcare professional. Ultimately, we will guide you to be best prepared to help improve and potentially save lives.

You will find that our healthcare programs cover the most in-demand positions, such as nurses, medical assistants and pharmacy technicians. We offer a range of degree and certificate levels so that you can enter the workforce right after graduating with your chosen associate degree in a healthcare field.

We also understand that your academic journey may not end after your time at Oakton. Let us help you on your own unique path and continue to support your aspirations even after you leave our campus. People seek support for their health and wellness in many ways, and we’re confident that you will make a difference as part of Oakton’s healthcare and nursing community.

Programs of Study

Basic Nurse Assistant TrainingCancer Registry ManagementCannabis Dispensary and Patient Care SpecialistHealth Information TechnologyMedical AssistantMedical Coding and BillingMedical Laboratory TechnologyNursing (RN, LPN)Patient Care TechnicianPerson-Centered Elder SupportPharmacy TechnicianPhlebotomyPhysical EducationPhysical Therapist AssistantPublic Health Contact Tracer ProfessionalSterile Processing Technician

Modern Instruction for Specialized Degrees

Moving Forward, Together

We are focused on staying ahead of the curve and making sure we’re offering groundbreaking education opportunities. The Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success encourages you to meet with an advisor to help you throughout your journey and ensure you're on the best path for you.

Get Help from an Advisor

Expert Guidance and Real Experiences

Students at Oakton enjoy a hands-on education, with plenty of opportunities to gain experience in your chosen field while still at school. We understand that experience is a huge factor in your academic development, especially in healthcare and nursing careers, which require many hours of specialized clinical training. Our faculty has years of experience in clinics, hospitals and many other unique positions within the realm of healthcare.

Featured Program

two students on campus

Cancer Registry Management

Cancer registrars document the history, treatment and health status of cancer patients in the U.S. That data is then provided to healthcare providers, researchers and public health officials for monitoring, screening and prevention programs. You will gain a variety of data management and coding skills unique to cancer registry management and oncology.

Explore a Career in Cancer Registry Management

Join an Information Session

Sign up for an information session to hear from the Health Careers and Nursing department and learn more about our department and programs.

 

Jessica Swider
“The professors at Oakton pushed me to ask questions, to want to know more. They do a really good job of realizing the potential in students.”

Jessica Swider

Jessica's Story

Frequently Asked Questions

Careers in healthcare are always in-demand and provide essential services. Helping people achieve wellness and discovering new ways to help people are the general goals of most healthcare careers. The "care" in healthcare is very telling, as many workers in healthcare and nursing fields are individuals with a lot of compassion and empathy for others. In pursuing a Health Careers and Nursing program, you will likely learn very specialized skills and protocols during your program. Many jobs in the healthcare industry involve very particular training and require specific skill sets and certifications, so you may end up excelling in a specific area of expertise. Being able to follow directions and processes closely is a benefit to those pursuing healthcare careers, as well as being comfortable interacting with people from all walks of life.

Want to explore another path?
See All Areas of Interest

Yes! Visit Transfer Services to get information about transferring to or from Oakton. Many plan to transfer to a four-year institution after completing an Oakton course or program. Our university partnerships with leading schools in the region and beyond make transferring a simple process at Oakton.

The following curricula at Oakton have specific admission requirements and accept a limited number of students each year. It is strongly recommended that students attend an Information Session prior to applying to a Limited Enrollment program. See Oakton’s website for dates and times of upcoming Information Sessions, information about admission requirements, application procedures, and deadlines to apply to these programs:

  • Cancer Registry Management Certificate
  • Health Information Technology
  • Medical Assistant Certificate
  • Medical Coding and Billing Certificate
  • Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Nursing
  • Phlebotomy Certificate
  • Physical Therapist Assistant

All Oakton College Health Career students in nursing, physical therapist assistant, medical laboratory technology, pharmacy technician, health information technology, cancer registry management, and medical assistant programs must have “clear” criminal background checks and drug screens in order to participate in any and all clinical components of any health career program courses. Clinical sites may have further health requirements in order for students to conduct practicums at those sites. See the career programs pages for further details.

We can't wait for you to join the Oakton family! To get started, here are a few suggestions:

  1. Review the steps for how to apply and get started on admission requirements. Apply to Oakton.
  2. Learn more about our history, the community spirit of our campuses and what it's like to be an Oakton student. Learn More About Oakton's Community.
  3. Our Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student success is available to help guide students with their educational journeys. Get Personal Help From an Advisor.
  4. If you have general questions about becoming an Oakton student, our team is here to help. Contact the Office of Admission.

We also recommend that you attend an Information Session prior to applying.

 

Contact Us

Maribel Alimboyoguen
Dean of Health Careers
malimboyoguen@oakton.edu
847.376.7053

Gloria Capungan
Office Manager of Health Careers
gcapungan@oakton.edu
847.635.1685

Location
Lee Science Center
1600 E. Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016

Office Hours:
Monday & Wednesday 8:00am - 8:00pm
Tuesday & Thursday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm