The Professional Development Department at Sandhills Community College offers popular and convenient professional development courses that prepare people for employment and professional certification and improve their marketability in as little as one week up to just one semester of training. Several courses are scheduled to begin in early to mid-September.

Students will learn to assign codes for medical billing and insurance using the 2011 ICD-9 coding reference book in “Medical Coding 1.” This course will meet Mondays and Wednesdays, Sept. 13 through Dec. 15, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The registration fee is $175 plus a $5 technology fee and the required textbooks.

The “EKG Technician” course teaches students how to prepare patients for testing, operation of EKG machine, and recording EKG rhythm strips for physicians’ interpretation. It will meet Mondays and Wednesdays, Sept. 13 through Nov. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. The registration fee is $120 plus a $5 technology fee, the required text, and $20.50 for insurance fees.

Students are taught the basic sequence and techniques of construction for residential projects in “Blueprint Reading,” which will meet Mondays, Sept. 13 through Dec. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. The registration fee is $120 plus a $5 technology fee.

“Basic Plumbing” provides instruction in plumbing fundamentals as applied to the building trade. Topics include terminology, tools and equipment, safety, codes, classroom instruction and demonstrations, as well as, hands-on practice. This class will meet Mondays and Wednesdays, Sept. 13 through Dec. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. The registration fee is $120 plus a $5 technology fee.

The “N.C. Contractor’s License Exam Review” course examines the licensing process and reviews information relating to the building trades for residential and general contractors. It will meet Tuesdays, Sept. 14 through Dec. 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. The registration fee is $120 plus a $5 technology fee.

Learn the basics of bartending as a profession or for home use in “Bartending.” This new course will include topics such as popular mixed drinks, wine, utensils, glassware, fruit cutting, bar procedures and a discussion of ABC laws. This class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 14 through Oct. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. The registration fee is $120 plus a $5 technology fee.

Due to recent legislation, the N.C. General Assembly authorizes a registration fee waiver for one continuing education course per semester for legal N.C. residents aged 65 years and older. The technology fee is not waived.

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 scheduled hours of operation.

Call (910) 695-3980 to register with a credit card.