Workforce Development Courses

Course Offerings

BLS for Providers (CPR)

This 5-hour course teaches the skills of CPR for victims of all ages in Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers through the American Heart Association. All CPR courses are strictly limited to 10 participants.

Overall Cost: $92

These courses will take place at the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center Campus, located at 9575 Sherrill Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37923.

Coronal Polishing (for Registered Dental Assistants)

This 19-hour course is designed to teach current Tennessee Registered Dental Assistants the procedure of coronal polishing.

This course is approved by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, and the student must successfully complete both written and clinical portions of the courses to be eligible to apply to the TBD to take the board examinations. Tuition does not include the registration fee to the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, which the student will pay to the TBD after successful completion of the course.

Overall Cost: $225 (includes $15 fee paid to Board of Dentistry)

Dental Sealants (for Registered Dental Assistants)

Overall Cost: $130

Fiber Optics

Our Fiber Optics program covers three certifications in the course of one week: CFOT, CFOS/T, and CFOS/S. A description of each of these courses is provided below.

Overall Cost: $2,250

CFOT – Basic Fiber Optics

This introductory 2-day fiber optic tech course is designed for anyone interested in becoming a Certified Fiber Optic Technician. This Fiber Optic Training combines theory and 85% hands-on activities to prepare the student to take the CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) test that is sanctioned by the FOA (Fiber Optics Association) and given and graded on the final class day.

CFOS/T – Certified Fiber Optics Specialist in Testing & Maintenance

This 2-day, 16-hour course is designed to offer advanced training to anyone involved with the testing and maintenance of fiber optics networks. A focal point in the program is to offer a general, easy-to-understand approach to fiber optics testing standards with little theory and considerable hands-on activities.

CFOS/S – Fiber Optics Splicing Specialist Certification

This Splicing Specialist Training includes a complete PowerPoint presentation explaining the importance of high-performance splicing and further details the points necessary to achieve these splices. The depth of this presentation is much greater than most textbooks and provides background information about splicing that is very important to the student.

Heavy Equipment Operator

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Special Industry Heavy Equipment Operator training is designed with the use of simulators for virtual training, applicable class online curriculum, classroom theory discussion, and ultimately actual machine seat time, also referred to as “stick time”, will prepare students to enter the workforce as an entry-level operator/worker.

Overall Cost: $2,500

*Dates are subject to change

IV Therapy

This is a 40-hour course based on INS standards for licensed nursing professionals, LPN or RN, or for the Practical Nursing Graduate.

Prerequisite: Students must be a currently licensed LPN or RN or a Practical Nursing Graduate awaiting state board licensing confirmation.

Overall Cost: $263

Required Book: Infusion Therapy Made Incredibly Easy by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 6th Edition (ISBN: 1975236564)

Monitoring Nitrous Oxide (for Registered Dental Assistants)

This 5-hour course is designed to teach the RDA the knowledge and skills to monitor patients under nitrous oxide sedation, following the rules and regulations of the Tennessee Board of Dentistry.

Prerequisite: Current Tennessee Registered Dental Assistant.

Overall Cost: $112 (Includes $15 fee paid to Board of Dentistry)

This course is approved by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, and the student must successfully complete both written and clinical portions of the courses to be eligible to apply to the TBD to take the board examinations. Tuition does not include the $15 registration fee to the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, which the student will pay to the TBD after successful completion of the course.

Nursing Aide (CNA)

For more details about when and where our next TCAT Knoxville’s Nursing Aide class will be offered, visit the Nursing Aide program page on our website. 

Phlebotomy

Phlebotomy is a 49-hour course designed for Allied Health workers who need to learn the clinical skill of Phlebotomy. Students will review universal precautions, specimen requirements, laboratory policies, and vein and capillary punctures. Students will learn from practicing live sticks on each other. Additionally, graduates will be qualified for the optional certification exam offered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA).

Prerequisite: A regular high school diploma or its equivalent (HISET).

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS: Due to the nature of this course, a current series of the Hepatitis B vaccine is strongly recommended!

Overall Cost: $352

Required Book: Blood Collection for Healthcare Professionals
Cost: $74
ISBN: 9781719645997

Sterile Processing Technician

The 15-week Sterile Processing Technician course prepares students for an essential role in healthcare by combining classroom learning with hands-on experience. This hybrid course meets for 16 hours each week, allowing students to complete their training in less than four months. Coursework covers a wide range of topics, including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection prevention, instrument preparation, equipment sterilization, decontamination, and patient care equipment processing. Students also learn about surgical instrumentation, specialty devices, and the organization of sterile storage and department distribution. Upon completion, graduates are equipped with the knowledge and practical skills needed to ensure patient safety and support surgical teams in medical facilities. 
 

Overall Cost:  $1,000

Textbooks:  

Basics of Sterile Processing ISBN 979-8218266394 $92.00

Basics of Sterile Processing Workbook 7th ed ISBN 979-8218266394 $46.00

GENERAL ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION

Registration is ongoing each trimester until the course reaches capacity or the course begins. Seats are reserved on a first-come come first-served basis.

FINANCIAL AID

Unfortunately, there is no Financial Aid available for the Workforce Development Programs except for Nursing Aide at Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville.

HOW TO APPLY

In order to apply for any of the Workforce Development programs, your tuition payment, application, and any other requirements must be submitted together.

1. Follow this link to the Admissions page and click the Apply Now button.
    
2. Create an application login and password. It is advisable to write down this login and password in case you need to alter your application details later.
    
3. Choose Application Type 4: Special Industry/Supplemental.
    
4. Select the relevant Admission Term, then proceed with filling out all the required information, which is marked with a red asterisk. 

   • FALL (September-December)

   • SPRING (January-April)

   • SUMMER (May-August)

5. When filling out your Program of Study, select one of the following, depending on your program.
   • Knoxville - Supplemental - Day
   • Knoxville - Supplemental - Evening
   • Knoxville - Supplemental - Weekend
   • Knoxville - Special Industry - Day
   • Knoxville - Special Industry - Evening
     
     The Nurse Aide course is available through Application Type 1: New Student Application.
     For more information about the Nursing Aide program, visit their program page. 
      

6. Once you select the Program of Study, click "Enter Other Majors, Minors and Concentrations" to select a specific course. If the course isn't listed here, click the Change this Program button to make a new selection.

7. Visit the Business Office at our main campus (1100 Liberty Street, Knoxville, TN) with the funds to pay tuition and reserve your seat. Acceptable methods of payment are cash, credit, and debit. 

8. Provide a copy of all prerequisite documents if required. Review the full program description PDF for specific prerequisites for each program.

If you have questions about any of the above programs, please contact workforce@tcatknoxville.edu.