Programs to launch a career in two years or less

Employment outlook: ccording to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers is projected to grow slightly faster than the average for all occupations. Opportunities for entry-level workers should be favorable, though job candidates at high-end establishments will likely face keen competition.
Salary/benefits:
• National annual median wage for hairstylists is $23,140; Toledo-area median wage is $23,510.
• Although some salons offer vacations and medical benefits, many self-employed and part-time cosmetologists do not enjoy such benefits.
The Academy’s South School is located in South Toledo on the corner of Byrne and Glendale; the East School is located on Navarre Avenue in Oregon.
Call 419-478-6660 for a personal interview, tour, or more information. More information is also available at www.ToledoAcademyofBeauty.com.

Healing Arts Institute
Founded in 1997, Healing Arts Institute provides training and continuing education in massage therapy and allied fields.
Graduates receive a diploma in massage therapy, qualifying them to take the state medical board exam to become licensed massage therapists. Graduates who move out of state may choose to take the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB) exam.
• High school diploma or GED certificate required.
Program includes 750 clock hours (12 months full-time, or 24 months part-time to complete).
• Students develop the knowledge and skills of massage techniques as well an understanding of business procedures and communication skills. Curriculum includes anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, massage theory and practice, ethics, field experiences and student clinics. 
• Base tuition is $8,550 plus $1,715 (lab fee, books, supplies, liability insurance, CPR certification, etc.).
• 21 credits transfer toward an associate’s degree at Northwest State Community College.
Employment outlook: According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to grow faster than average over the 2006-16 period as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy.
Salary/benefits:
• National annual median wage for massage therapists is $34,900. Toledo-area average is $33,780.
Healing Arts Institute is located at  340 Three Meadows Dr., Perrysburg. Call 419-874-4496 or visit www.haiohio.com for more information.

Toledo Dental Academy
The Toledo Dental Academy emphasizes hands-on training to meet employers’ clinical and administrative needs and focuses on areas that offer long-term employment opportunities. Dental assistants work closely with, and under the supervision of dentists. Assistants perform a variety of patient care, office and laboratory duties.
• High school diploma, or GED certificate required.
• Morning program runs approximately 12-16 weeks. (Day and evening classes are available.) Classes are followed by a 90-hour externship. Training includes head and neck anatomy, dental science, dental radiology, chairside assisting and administrative skills.
• Tuition and fees $5,350.
• Placement assistance offered.
Employment outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job prospects should be excellent as dentists are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks so that they may devote their own time to more complex procedures.
 Salary/benefits:
• Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment.
• Mean average national salary is $33,170. Average salary for Toledo metropolitan area is $31,740.
Toledo Dental Academy is located at 4352 Sylvania Ave., Suite F., Toledo. Call 419-841-1292 or visit www.tdacademy.com for more information.

Mercy College of Northwest Ohio
Mercy College provides education and training for healthcare and health science professionals who have a made a choice for a career in healthcare.
Example: Health Information Technology
HIT professionals are experts in patient health information and medical records. Generally appealing to those who enjoy analyzing and problem solving, HIT is perfect for the person who likes the excitement and flexibility of healthcare, but doesn’t necessarily want direct patient contact.
• Applicants must be high school graduates with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.3, or a general equivalency diploma (GED) recipient with a score of 530.
• Job titles include coder, compliance specialist/auditor, director/manager of HIM department, data analyst, documentation specialist, electronic medical record positions, HIPAA privacy official, information systems.
• Five-semester, 68-hour associate degree program
• Tuition is $20,302, plus fees (varies by student)
• Financial aid office offers information on scholarships, grants and loans.
Employment outlook: The Bureau of Labor reports that Health Information Management is the 13th fastest growing occupation in the U.S. By 2014, all hospitals expect to have electronic health records.
Salary/benefits
• Mean salary for health information technology workers is $32,960 nationally and $33,400 in the Toledo Metropolitan area.
Mercy College of Northwest Ohio is located at 2221 Madison Ave., Toledo. For more information, call 419-251-1313 or 1-888-80-MERCY, or visit www.mercycollege.edu.

Penta Career Center Adult & Continuing Education
Penta Career Center offers hands-on education and training in a number of career-related courses including a new dietary management training (food service manager) program.
• Example: Dietary Management Training Program (DMT):
Dietary managers are trained and qualified to manage menus, food purchasing and food preparation in nursing homes, senior living communities, hospitals, schools, the military and corporations.
• High school diploma or GED certificate required. Present BCI and FBI (fingerprinting) background check with no criminal history.
• Program includes 120 classroom hours and 150 hours hands-on experience.
• Program prepares students for the national Dietary Managers Association (DMA) Credentialing Examination.
• Core courses cover nutrition and medical nutrition therapy, food service management, human resources management, and food safety and sanitation.
• $2,650 tuition includes program instruction, books, lab coat and review and prep CDM, CPFF Pre-Exam study intensive one-day course.
Employment outlook: According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, a growing and aging population will boost demand for nutritional counseling and treatment in hospitals, residential care facilities, schools, prisons, community health programs, and home health care agencies.
Salary/benefits:
• According to PayScale.com, median salary for a certified dietary manager is $35,383.
Penta Career Center is located at 9301 Buck Rd., Perrysburg.  For more information, call director Kevin Whitlatch at 419-661-6555 or visit www.pentacareercenter.org.

Care4you2
With locations in Walbridge, Toledo and Sylvania, Care4you2, LLC is a State Tested Nursing Assistant school offers training in basic medical practices conducted by registered nurses. Upon successful completion of the training, students will receive a certificate of completion which allows them to sit for the State Exam. With passage of the exam, students can work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, etc.
• Total program cost is $350 ($325 after Jan. 1).
• Includes 59 classroom hours plus 16 hours of clinical experience.
• Day, night and weekend classes are offered.
Employment outlook: Excellent job opportunities for nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides will arise from a combination of rapid employment growth and the need to replace the many workers who leave the occupation each year.
Salary: Average salary for a nurse’s aide in the Toledo area is 24,550.
Unless otherwise noted, salary estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.