The English Language Learner (ELL) healthcare programs are non-credit healthcare programs for students who would benefit from English language support while enrolled in the program. The ELL healthcare programs at Saddleback College are offered in partnership with Adult Education to provide Adult English as a Second Language (AESL) classes and additional support for students in these programs.
In Spring 2025, we will be offering ELL programs in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Acute Care Nursing Assistant (ACNA), phlebotomy, and community health worker (CHW). If you are interested in any of these programs, join an information session! We will review the programs offered, program requirements, and application deadlines.
Information Sessions
- Tuesday, September 10th, 12 - 1 p.m.
- Zoom link: https://saddleback-edu.zoom.us/j/84945493564
- Thursday, September 19th, 9 - 10 a.m.
- Zoom link: https://saddleback-edu.zoom.us/j/82583562804
- Wednesday, September 25th, 3 - 4 p.m.
- Zoom link: https://saddleback-edu.zoom.us/j/84946550359
- Tuesday, October 8th, 12 - 1 p.m.
- Zoom link: https://saddleback-edu.zoom.us/j/89578331658
- Wednesday, October 16th, 4 - 5 p.m.
- Zoom link: https://saddleback-edu.zoom.us/j/86503273139
- Thursday, October 24th, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
- Zoom link: https://saddleback-edu.zoom.us/j/81521462691
- Tuesday, October 29th, 9 - 10 a.m.
- Zoom link: https://saddleback-edu.zoom.us/j/82584573231
ELL Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
The Certified Nursing Assistant Program at Saddleback College was established to empower students to gain the skills and knowledge of providing basic patient care as a member of the healthcare team. The Nursing Assistant Program prepares students for employment as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in a variety of health care settings ranging from acute care hospitals to skilled nursing facilities. This program is approved by the Department of Public Health, State of California (CDPH).
Students must attend an information session, mandatory orientation, complete a physical examination, and background/drug test to participate in this program. This program offers training through three multi-week courses consisting of in person didactic instruction, skills learning, and clinical rotations. Successful completion of the didactic course, the skills course, and the clinical rotation course is required to finish this program. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the state certification examination administered by the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) to earn their certificate as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
To be eligible for this program, students must:
- Attend an information session or review the information session video
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have a CASAS score of 230 or higher
- Apply to Saddleback College to become a student (Saddleback or IVC student ID is needed for program application)
After provisional or alternate acceptance, students must:
- Complete health requirements
- Complete/clear drug screening
- Complete/clear background check
- Step 1: Apply to Saddleback College
- Step 2: Take a CASAS test
- Please contact the Adult Education Office at (949) 348-6850 or scadulted@saddleback.edu to schedule your CASAS test.
- Please review the “Application Information” tab below to see the deadline for taking your CASAS test.
- Step 3: Complete and submit your application on Submittable.
- Create an account with Submittable.
- Go to the application page and select the “ELL CNA” application.
- Completely fill out the application and submit it.
NOTE: Communication about your application will be through Submittable. Please check your account on or after the selection date (in “Application Information” tab) to review application notifications.
The application for the Spring 2025 program is open from September 9th through October 14th. The deadline to take your CASAS test is October 11th, 2024.
Applicants will be notified of their application status on or after October 15th, 2024.
ELL Acute Care Nursing Assistant (ACNA)
The Acute Care Nursing Assistant Program at Saddleback College was established to empower students to gain the skills and knowledge of nursing assistant care necessary to meet the hygiene, comfort, and safety needs of patients in an acute care environment.
Students must attend an information session, mandatory orientation, complete a physical examination, and background/drug test to participate in this program. This program offers training through three multi-week courses consisting of in person didactic instruction, skills learning, and clinical rotations. Successful completion of the didactic course, the skills course, and the clinical rotation course is required to finish this program.
To be eligible for this program, students must:
- Attend an information session or review the information session video
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be in possession of an active CNA license
- Have a CASAS score of 230 or higher
- Apply to Saddleback College to become a student (Saddleback or IVC student ID is needed for program application)
After provisional or alternate acceptance, students must:
- Complete health requirements
- Complete/clear drug screening
- Complete/clear background check
Step 1: Apply to Saddleback College
Step 2: Take a CASAS test
- Please contact the Adult Education Office at (949) 348-6850 or scadulted@saddleback.edu to schedule your CASAS test.
- Please review the “Application Information” tab below to see the deadline for taking your CASAS test.
Step 3: Complete and submit your application on Submittable
- Create an account with Submittable.
- Go to the application page and and select the “ELL ACNA” application.
- Completely fill out the application and submit it.
NOTE: Communication about your application will be through Submittable. Please check your account on or after the selection date (in “Application Information” tab) to review application notifications.
The application for the Spring 2025 program is open from September 30th through November 1st. The deadline to take your CASAS test is November 26th, 2024.
Applicants will be notified of their application status on or after December 2nd, 2024.
ELL Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy
The Saddleback College Clinical Lab Assistant / Phlebotomy Certificate of Completion gives pre-professional and current professionals the opportunity to master skills necessary for employment as a Clinical Lab Assistant and/or Phlebotomist.
Upon successful completion of the Certificate of Completion in Clinical Lab Assistant and Phlebotomy, students are eligible to take the CDPH/LFS approved board exam and apply for Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-1) license, issued by the California Department of Public Health/ Laboratory Field Services (CDPH/LFS) branch. To be employed as a Phlebotomist in California, a state-issued certificate or license is required. Once licensed, Phlebotomists can work in both private and public diagnostic laboratories, forensic labs, veterinary labs, and biomedical research laboratories.
To be eligible for this program, students must:
- Attend an information session or review the information session video
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have a CASAS score of 230 or higher
- Apply to Saddleback College to become a student (Saddleback or IVC student ID is needed for program application)
After provisional or alternate acceptance, students must:
- Complete health requirements
- Complete/clear drug screening
- Complete/clear background check
- Step 1: Apply to Saddleback College
- Step 2: Take a CASAS test
- Please contact the Adult Education Office at (949) 348-6850 or scadulted@saddleback.edu to schedule your CASAS test.
- Please review the “Application Information” tab below to see the deadline for taking your CASAS test.
- Step 3: Complete and submit your application on Submittable
- Create an account with Submittable.
- Go to the application page and select the “ELL Phlebotomy” application.
- Completely fill out the application and submit it.
NOTE: Communication about your application will be through Submittable. Please check your account on or after the selection date (in “Application Information” tab) to review application notifications.
The application for the spring 2025 phlebotomy program will be open from September 30th through November 4th. The deadline to take your CASAS test is November 1st, 2024.
Applicants will be notified of their application status on or after November 5th, 2024.
ELL Community Health Worker (CHW)
The Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate of Completion teaches students communication skills as they relate to medicine and healthcare, healthcare services navigation and coordination, health education and promotion, and knowledge of public health principles. This may lead to employment as a Community Health Worker, the ability to seek higher education in public health, and further exploration in related fields in public/allied health occupations.
Students who complete this program will be able to help improve quality of life for clients by identifying the social determinants of health (SDOH) and disparities in communities, increasing access to health care services, promoting health screening, and providing public health education on available health services and recommendations. Graduates can work in various settings including healthcare clinics, mental health facilities, substance abuse programs, nursing homes, assisted living, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations.
To be eligible for this program, students must:
- Attend an information session or review the information session video
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have a CASAS score of 230 or higher
- Apply to Saddleback College to become a student (Saddleback or IVC student ID is needed for program application)
- Step 1: Apply to Saddleback College
- Step 2: Take a CASAS test
- Please contact the Adult Education Office at (949) 348-6850 or scadulted@saddleback.edu to schedule your CASAS test.
- Please review the “Application Information” tab below to see the deadline for taking your CASAS test.
- Step 3: Complete and submit your application on Submittable
- Create an account with Submittable.
- Go to the application page and select the “ELL Community Health Worker” application.
- Completely fill out the application and submit.
NOTE: Communication about your application will be through Submittable. Please check your account on or after the selection date (in “Application Information” tab) to review application notifications.
The application for the spring 2025 community health worker program will be open from September 30th through November 4th. The deadline to take your CASAS test is November 1st, 2024.
Applicants will be notified of their application status on or after November 5th, 2024.
Contact the English Language Learner Programs
School of Health and Wellness Office
Adult Education Office
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday:
8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday:
8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.