The Continuing Education Division of Sandhills Community College offers many popular and convenient professional development courses that prepare people for professional employment after just one semester of training. EMT-basic and phlebotomy courses will begin in mid-August.

Individuals interested in EMT training must start with an EMT-basic certification program. This training prepares students to administer such patient care as opening airways, administering oxygen, bandaging wounds, immobilizing extremities and resuscitating those who have suffered heart attacks. EMT-basic training involves both classroom and hands-on training.

This class will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays, Aug. 16 through Dec. 15, from 6 to 10 p.m. The class will also meet on some Thursdays and Saturdays. The registration fee is $175, plus a $5 technology fee. Students must bring the required textbook and a copy of their high school or GED diploma to the first class. Upon successful completion of this course, students can sit for the state certification exam.

The phlebotomy technician course allows students to learn the skills necessary to draw blood specimens from patients for medical tests and blood donation. Topics will include venipuncture, communication, record-keeping and care of specimens. Students may elect to attend classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, Aug. 16 to Dec. 15, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. or on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 17 to Dec. 16, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The registration fee is $175, plus a $5 technology fee and $20.50 insurance fee and the text.

Due to recent legislation, the N.C. General Assembly authorizes a registration fee waiver of one Continuing Education course per semester for legal N.C. residents ages 65 years and older. The technology fee is not waived. Some courses are on an "all must pay" basis, and the waiver does not apply to these.

Register for Continuing Education classes at least one week prior to the starting date. Classes may fill and prohibit further enrollment or they may be canceled if enrollment is low. Walk-in registration is at the Continuing Education office located on the first floor of Van Dusen Hall during the college's scheduled hours of operation. Call (910) 695-3980 to register with Visa, MasterCard or Discover.

View the entire fall semester schedule at www.sandhills.edu. The site also has a calendar that contains every continuing education class on the start date and full information about all classes.