Pima Medical Institute

About Us

Multiple campuses - By January 1983, the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools approved PMI for accreditation. With the heightened need for high quality medical career training, additional campuses were introduced:

• Albuquerque, NM – 1985
• Mesa, AZ – 1986
• Denver, CO – 1988
• Seattle, WA – 1989
• Chula Vista, CA – 1998
• Colorado Springs, CO – 2002
• Las Vegas, NV – 2003
• Renton –- 2004

A focus on quality education - Not much has changed philosophically since we opened our doors to students in 1972. Guided by our belief that the seeds for future growth must be planted in the classroom, PMI has become one of the leading medical career colleges in the western United States. Thousands of students graduate each year from Pima Medical Institute and the majority of those graduates are placed into jobs. Now, that’s significant.

A Dental Assistant career will give you something to smile about.

It’s rewarding to see a patient leave with a brighter smile…whether it’s from a whitening procedure or from the comforting presence of the Dental Assistant.

Many Dental Assistants find job satisfaction by making patients feel more at ease in the chair and by helping the dentist provide relief to those with painful dental conditions. With PMI’s Dental Assistant training school, you’ll work chairside assisting dentists while they examine and treat patients. In many dental offices, Certified Dental Assistants perform clerical and laboratory duties, as well.

In just months, PMI’s Dental Assistant career training will prepare you to be job-ready in the rewarding field of dentistry.

Dental Assistants are instrumental in helping dentists and patients.

PMI’s Dental Assistant schooling will train you to prepare the patient for treatment, take X-ray examinations and obtain dental records. Dental Assistants also provide the dentist with the proper instruments and materials during a patient examination. PMI’s accredited Dental Assistant classes will prepare you to:

• Sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment
• Prepare tray setups for dental procedures
• Provide postoperative instruction
• Instruct patients in oral health care
• Prepare materials for making impressions and restorations
• Expose radiographs and process dental X-ray film as directed by the dentist

Dental Assisting careers are open wide. Start your Dental Assistant training now!

Choosing a career as a Dental Assistant is a smart decision, since entry-level dental professionals are very much in demand now. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Dental Assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. In fact, Dental Assisting careers are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations through 2012.

Almost all jobs for certified Dental Assistants are in the offices of dentists. Dental Assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment. About half of Dental Assistants have a 35 to 40-hour workweek, which may include work on Saturdays or evenings.

Many Dental Assistants find job satisfaction by making patients feel more at ease in the chair and by helping the dentist provide relief to those with painful dental conditions. With PMI’s Dental Assistant training school, you’ll work chairside assisting dentists while they examine and treat patients. In many dental offices, Certified Dental Assistants perform clerical and laboratory duties, as well.

In just months, PMI’s Dental Assistant career training will prepare you to be job-ready in the rewarding field of dentistry.

A Dental Assistant career will give you something to smile about.

It’s rewarding to see a patient leave with a brighter smile…whether it’s from a whitening procedure or from the comforting presence of the Dental Assistant.

Many Dental Assistants find job satisfaction by making patients feel more at ease in the chair and by helping the dentist provide relief to those with painful dental conditions. With PMI’s Dental Assistant training school, you’ll work chairside assisting dentists while they examine and treat patients. In many dental offices, Certified Dental Assistants perform clerical and laboratory duties, as well.

In just months, PMI’s Dental Assistant career training will prepare you to be job-ready in the rewarding field of dentistry.

Dental Assistants are instrumental in helping dentists and patients.

PMI’s Dental Assistant schooling will train you to prepare the patient for treatment, take X-ray examinations and obtain dental records. Dental Assistants also provide the dentist with the proper instruments and materials during a patient examination. PMI’s accredited Dental Assistant classes will prepare you to:

• Sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment
• Prepare tray setups for dental procedures
• Provide postoperative instruction
• Instruct patients in oral health care
• Prepare materials for making impressions and restorations
• Expose radiographs and process dental X-ray film as directed by the dentist

Dental Assisting careers are open wide. Start your Dental Assistant training now!

Choosing a career as a Dental Assistant is a smart decision, since entry-level dental professionals are very much in demand now. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Dental Assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. In fact, Dental Assisting careers are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations through 2012.

Almost all jobs for certified Dental Assistants are in the offices of dentists. Dental Assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment. About half of Dental Assistants have a 35 to 40-hour workweek, which may include work on Saturdays or evenings.

What is the Expanded Duties Dental Assistant program?

Denver and Colorado Springs are the only PMI campuses in which the Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA) program is offered. Day classes are 12 consecutive Saturdays for a total of 2 credit hours.

Medical Administrative Assistants provide the 4-1-1 to staff and other organizations.

Medical Administrative Assistants are the glue that not only hold the medical office together, but also keep it running efficiently. As a Medical Administrative Assistant, you’ll be at the center of communications within the operation, providing important information to the staff and other organizations.

PMI’s Medical Administrative Assistant school includes training in:

• Medical insurance verification
• Medical billing and coding
• Transcribing dictation
• Preparing correspondence
• Assisting physicians with reports, articles and conference proceedings
• Bookkeeping and banking procedures
• Answering phones
• Triaging appointments
• Filing

Your PMI certificate covers more than just medical billing and coding.

PMI’s Medical Administrative Assistant training gives you solid grounding in administrative skills and medical terminology, as well as familiarity with hospital and laboratory procedures. Even with the additional number of job skills taught within the classroom, the MAA program at PMI is still quick. Pima Medical Institute believes the wider the training, the greater your job opportunities.

Medical Administrative Assistants should have a good command of the English language since clear communication is such an integral part of the job. Individuals with excellent interpersonal skills will be in demand, since medical office professionals must be tactful in dealing with a wide variety of people. Discretion, empathy, judgment, organizational ability and initiative are also important characteristics of a Medical Admin.

Transcribing the job outlook for Medical Administrative Assistants.

Many employers complain of a shortage of first-rate support staff. That’s why multi-skilled Medical Administrative Assistants will be in high demand, and should find many job opportunities. Medical Admin applicants with computer skills will have the edge in the job market.

It’s easy to put CARE into your CAREER as a Medical Assistant.

Medical Assistant jobs are the hottest healthcare careers in today's marketplace. As a Medical Assistant, you can share your compassion and care with patients in your choice of medical situations - from primary care physicians' offices to specialists' offices to hospitals.

PMI’s Medical Assistant certificate program will train you to assist physicians in the examination and treatment of patients, as well as perform routine office tasks. As a Medical Assistant, you can work side by side with nurses and others on the healthcare team, treating patients from newborns to senior citizens.

Clinical duties performed by Medical Assistants vary according to State law and may include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination.

PMI Medical Assistants are trained to collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies and sterilize medical instruments. Medical Assistant training also includes how to instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood and give injections, prepare patients for X-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures and change dressings.

Medical Assistant training helps you help others.

Medical Assisting exposes you to a wide variety of medical office responsibilities that showcase your administrative, technical and scientific responsibilities, as well as your human relations skills. PMI’s Medical Assistant education will train you to put patients at ease, as well as interpret a physician’s instructions correctly and efficiently.

If you’re considering a Medical Assistant career, you should be neat and well groomed, and display a pleasant and courteous manner, especially since you will be dealing with the public. Medical Assistants must respect the confidential nature of medical information. Clinical duties require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.

Medical Assistants may experience diverse career opportunities. Medical Assistants may be able to advance to office manager. They may also qualify for a variety of administrative support occupations or may even teach Medical Assisting.

All the vital stats on Medical Assistant careers.

Employers prefer to hire formally trained Medical Assistants from accredited Medical Assisting colleges or certified applicants who have passed a national examination, indicating that the Medical Assistant meets certain standards of competence. The American Association of Medical Assistants awards the Certified Medical Assistant credential; the American Medical Technologists awards the Registered Medical Assistant credential. Other Medical Assistant certificates are offered in podiatry and ophthalmology.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Medical Assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, as the health services industry continues to expand and diversify.

See yourself as an Ophthalmic Medical Assistant.

Begin your career in the field of vision healthcare as an Ophthalmic Medical Assistant, specializing in the anatomy, function and diseases of the eye. Pima Medical Institute’s Ophthalmic Medical Assistant classes train you to work in a variety of practices, including general, glaucoma, retinal and pediatrics. In the field, Ophthalmic Medical Assistants may also work with ophthalmic equipment manufacturers.

Our Ophthalmic Medical Assistant schooling will train you to work with Ophthalmologists, administering routine eye exams and providing patient education. With your Ophthalmic Medical Assistant certificate, you will also handle pre and post-operative exams for cataract surgery and visual field exams for glaucoma or neurological patients.

PMI helps Ophthalmic Assistants expand their career sights.

Ophthalmic Medical Assistant training provides the foundation for advancement to Ophthalmic Medical Technician, a career with expanded job duties and responsibilities. You can also take additional training to become a surgical assistant in the operating room. Once medical career education opens the door, the job choices become more apparent.

The outlook is clear for Ophthalmic Medical Assistants.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ophthalmic occupations – including Ophthalmic Medical Assistants – are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012.

PMI’s Pharmacy Technician certificate program is your Rx for success.

The Pharmacy Technician certificate program at Pima Medical Institute will give you the tools to enter the healthcare world as a professional in a retail pharmacy, hospital, home healthcare setting, mail order or pharmaceutical wholesalers industry.

Pharmacy Technicians may assist pharmacists in providing medications and healthcare products to patients. As a certified Pharmacy Tech, you’ll receive and verify prescriptions and prepare patient medication. PMI’s Pharmacy Technician classes will also train you to maintain client profiles and insurance claim forms. Pharmacy Techs are the key communication liaison between medical professionals, doctors, pharmacists and patients.

PMI’s Pharmacy Technician classes train you to:

• Prepare and provide medication and other health products to patients
• Mix intravenous solutions
• Count tablets and labeling bottles
• Receive electronic prescriptions from medical offices
• Handle computer order entry of prescriptions
• Receive written prescriptions and requests for patient refills
• Verify complete and accurate prescriptions
• Stock and inventory prescriptions and over-the-counter medications

Pharmacy Technician Certification – encapsulated.

The nationally accredited and state-licensed program at Pima Medical Institute will prepare you for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (CPhT), administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. More states and employers are requiring certification as reliance on Pharmacy Technicians grows.

Prescribed education leads to a healthy career as a Pharmacy Technician.

Pharmacy Technicians are in high demand. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Pharmacy Technicians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. Employment opportunities for Pharmacy Technicians are expected to be excellent due to increased needs within the pharmaceutical industry, a larger and older population, and a greater need for medication today.

Phlebotomy Technicians are important members of the clinical laboratory team. New diagnostic techniques, clinical laboratory technology and automated instruments have greatly increased the volume of – and demand for – medical laboratory testing performed by Phlebotomy Technicians. Phlebotomy Technician graduates can work in hospitals, physician offices or in independent labs.

Phlebotomy Technician courses draw upon hands-on training.

PMI’s Phlebotomy Technician certificate program provides training in obtaining blood specimens by venipuncture and micro collection techniques. Phlebotomy Technician classes also teach you to collect and process other clinical specimens.

The complete workup on Phlebotomy Technician careers.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of clinical lab workers, including Phlebotomy Technicians, is expected to grow as the volume of laboratory tests increases with both population growth and the development of new types of tests.

By getting your Phlebotomy Tech certificate at Pima Medical Institute, you quickly get your foot in the door to this lucrative and prestigious medical field. Phlebotomy is often an excellent stepping-stone to other positions available within the healthcare industry.

Physical Therapist Assistants assist Registered Physical Therapists in patient rehabilitation. You’ll provide services that help improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease as a physical therapy professional.

Physical Therapist Assistants perform a variety of tasks, involving exercises, massages, electrical stimulation, paraffin baths, hot and cold packs, traction, and ultrasound. These physical therapy professionals record the patient’s responses to treatment and report the outcome of each treatment to the physical therapist.

In addition to moderate physical strength, Physical Therapist Assistants need strength of character, too.

Physical Therapist Assistants are patient, resourceful, empathetic and tactful in order to help patients and their families understand their treatments and adjust to rehabilitation. They also need a moderate degree of strength because of the physical exertion required in assisting patients with treatment.

Additional duties as a physical therapy professional may include clerical tasks, such as ordering depleted supplies, answering the phone, and filling out insurance forms and other paperwork.

Exercise your options as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

Physical Therapist Assistants have a lot of job mobility. Employment opportunities are available in hospitals, clinics, and private practice, as well as long-term care facilities and sports medicine centers. Employment of Physical Therapist Assistants and aides is expected to grow much faster than the average through the year 2012, reflecting the growing number of individuals with disabilities or limited function.

You’ll be the image of success in our Radiography Technician program.

As a Radiologic Technologist, or X-ray tech, you’ll take X-rays and administer contrast medias for diagnostic purposes. In working with patients requiring radiology services, you’ll explain procedures and position them for X-rays so that the parts of the body can be radiographed appropriately.

X-ray techs are trained to determine the correct angle and height over the target area, setting controls to produce radiographs of the appropriate density, detail and contrast. Afterwards, film is exposed and developed. Other duties of a Radiologic Technologist may include keeping patient records, preparation of work schedules or managing a radiology department.

Can you see yourself as an X-ray tech?

Radiologic Technologists display personal attributes of compassion, courtesy and concern in meeting the special needs of the patient.

You must be able to communicate effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. X-ray techs must apply their knowledge of anatomy, physiology, positioning and radiographic technique in the performance of their job duties. Additional X-ray tech duties may include processing film, evaluating radiologic equipment, managing a radiographic quality assurance program and providing patient education relevant to specific imaging procedures.

Picture yourself working in radiology.

Hospitals are the primary employer of Radiologic Technologists, but a greater number of new jobs will be found in physicians’ offices and diagnostic imaging centers. Job opportunities for radiographers are expected to be favorable, and employment of Radiologic Technologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012.

PMI’s Radiography program is in demand and seats are limited.

Give others the breath of life with Respiratory Therapy.

Respiratory Therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. As a Respiratory Therapist, you’ll provide treatment that may range from giving emergency relief to patients with asthma to long-term care for chronic conditions such as emphysema.

Whenever breath of life is at risk, the Respiratory Therapist is called upon to assist. At Pima Medical Institute (PMI), our Respiratory Therapy degree will train you to be part of this rewarding and life-giving career. Graduates of PMI’s Respiratory Therapist program receive an Associate degree and may sit for all National Board for Respiratory Care credentialing exams.

With a job outlook this good, Respiratory Therapists can exhale a sigh of relief.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Statistics, employment of Respiratory Therapists is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. Professionals in this growing career field are in demand.

Older Americans suffer most from respiratory ailments and cardiopulmonary diseases such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease. As their numbers increase, the need for Respiratory Therapists will increase as well. In addition, advances in treating victims of heart attacks, accident victims, and premature infants (many of whom are dependent on a ventilator during part of their treatment) will increase the demand for the services of respiratory therapists.

An Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy is like giving your career pure oxygen.

Although hospitals will continue to employ the vast majority of Respiratory Therapists, a growing number can expect to work outside of hospitals in home healthcare services, offices of physicians or other health practitioners or consumer goods rental firms. Home healthcare in particular is a bright spot on the horizon due to technological advances that permit complex respiratory therapy care to be administered in the home.

Get a career that’s warm and fuzzy as a Veterinary Assistant.

You’ll help animals on a regular basis and have a job filled with variety and tenderness. Vet Assistants feed and bathe animals, administer medication as prescribed by the Veterinarian and assist the Veterinary team with animal nursing techniques. If you love animals, becoming a Vet Assistant may be for you. PMI’s Veterinary Assistant training covers animal emergency medicine, lab procedures, nursing skills and more.

PMI’s Vet Assistant school instructs you how to nurture the health and well- being of animals.

If you’re an animal lover, you’ll love working as a Veterinary Assistant. PMI’s Veterinary Assistant certificate program trains you how to feed, water and examine pets and other non-farm animals for signs of illness, disease or injury. PMI’s Veterinary Assisting classes place emphasis on small animal techniques.

Other Veterinary Assistant duties may include:

• Cleaning and disinfecting cages and work areas
• Sterilizing lab and surgical equipment
• Providing routine post-operative care
• Administering medication orally or topically
• Preparing samples for lab examination, under supervision

You’ll be sitting pretty with training as a Vet Assistant.

PMI’s Veterinary Assistant classes will prepare you for success in this rewarding field. Graduates of our accredited Vet Assistant program may work in private veterinary clinics, animal hospitals or animal shelters. Some animal hospitals and shelters operate 24 hours a day, which may make rotating shifts available.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Veterinary Assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. Pet owners are becoming more affluent and more willing to pay for advanced care because many of them consider their pet to be part of the family, spurring employment growth for veterinary professionals.