IBEST
Questions? Contact Us.
Andrea Gutierrez Trammell
I-BEST Pathway Coordinator
agutierreztrammell@yvcc.edu
509-834-4527
Integrated Basic Education
Skills Training (I-BEST)
I-BEST pairs a professional or technical program with Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses, including reading, writing, and math skills. I-BEST provides educational access and support for students to progress further and faster along career pathways. Students are paired with an ABE, ESL, or GED instructor, as well as a professional-technical program instructor for twice the support in each classroom.
Key Facts:
- I-BEST allows students without a high school diploma or equivalency to enroll in college-level programs
- Students must be enrolled in College & Career Readiness before starting an I-BEST program
- Earn a college certificate that prepares you to work in a high-demand career
- I-BEST students receive registration, advising, and career planning support
- Funding (Opportunity Grant) is available for those who qualify
- Increase academic skills while earning college-level credits
- Pathways for continued education (Certificates, AAS, BAS)
- Online and in-person classes available
I-BEST Career Programs
Business Technology (BT) I-BEST
YVC’s Business Technology I-BEST certificates are designed to assist students in obtaining general office and skills while reinforcing basic reading, writing and math through I-BEST supported classes. Courses are available for consecutive quarters at the Yakima Campus. The I-BEST Business Technology program provides an interactive business and professional partnership to enhance student-centered education for career office opportunities that match business needs to student outcomes. After completing the I-BEST certificates, students can pursue an associate degree in Yakima Valley College’s Business Technology Program and will be placed according to their interest in fields such as: medical, legal, or administrative office. Students can also use obtained skills for employment purposes or other degree programs.
Business Technology Certificates
The Business Technology program offers two Office Worker certificates that begin every Fall and Spring quarter.
Office Worker Certificate I
Program Courses
Fall/Spring
- BT 100 – Intro to BT (2 credits)
- BT 101 – Beginning Keyboard (5 credits)
- ABE Writing 4/5 (I-BEST)
- ABE Math 4/5
Winter/Summer
- IT 102 – Windows (2 credits)
- IT 111 – Intro to Excel (2 credits)
- ABE Writing 4/5 (I-BEST)
- ABE Math 4/5
Office Worker Certificate II
Program Courses
Spring/Fall
- BT 102 – Intermediate Keyboard (5 credits)
- BT 130 – Basic Business Essentials (5 credits; Spring only)
- ABE Writing 4/5 (I-BEST)
- ABE Math 4/5
Summer/Winter
- BT 160 – Word (2 credits; in-seat only)
- BT 190 – Job Shadow (1 credit)
- ABE Writing 4/5 (I-BEST)
- ABE Math 4/5
Eligibility
- 18 years of age or older
- GED is not required
- Funding is available for those who qualify
- Required ABE levels: Reading/Writing-4, Math-4
WorkFirst Students
Case manager approval is required
Pharmacy Assistant (AH) I-BEST
A Pharmacy Assistant is an in-demand healthcare career that provides ample employment opportunities and flexible work environments. Pharmacy assistants assist pharmacists by performing all clerical duties necessary to ensure that a pharmacy is running efficiently. They answer telephone calls, manage the cash register, and restock shelves with medication and other pharmaceutical supplies. YVC’s Pharmacy Assistant Certificate takes one quarter to complete with an opportunity to continue your education at YVC as a Pharmacy Technician. The pharmaceutical field offers a multitude of advancement opportunities, making it an ideal field for anyone who wants long-term professional possibilities and exciting new challenges. Pharmacy assistants can expect to earn over $35k a year, with a job outlook growing faster than the average employment field over the next ten years.
About the Program
Pharmacy Assistant Certificate (5 Credits) | Online instruction
Opportunity Grant money available
Average wage: $18.11 an hour
Pharmacy Technician hourly wage: $24.83
The program takes one quarter to complete.
Foundation Courses
- Healthcare Terminology
- Healthcare Workplace Skills
Program Courses with supporting I-BEST courses
Quarter 1 Winter
- AH 155 First Aid/CPR/Blood-Borne Pathogen Training, 2 credits
- AH 105 Introduction to Pharmacology, 3 credits
- ABE Math 4/5
- ABE Writing 4/5
Phlebotomy (AH) I-BEST
Phlebotomy is an exciting entry-level healthcare career that provides ample employment opportunities and excellent exposure to the many areas of the healthcare industry. Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research or blood donations. YVC’s Phlebotomy certificate program takes two quarters to complete, with lab instruction on both the Yakima and Grandview campuses. Working phlebotomists can expect to earn over $40k a year, with a job outlook growing faster than the average employment field over the next ten years.
About the Program
Phlebotomy Certificate (11 Credits) | Online instruction |100-hour externship
Opportunity Grant money available
Average wage: $22.34 an hour
22% Job Growth (2020-2030)
Phlebotomy Program
The program is two quarters in length. The first quarter is three classes. AHPH 170 is a fully online course, AH 155 is a hybrid (online and face-to-face) and AHPH 171 is a face-to-face lab course offered on the Yakima and Grandview campuses. The second quarter is one class. AHPH 172 is the externship course. Most of the course is completed by participating in an externship experience in a local lab and hospital setting.
I-BEST supporting courses
- ABE Math 4/5
- ABE Writing 4/5
Foundation Courses
- Healthcare Terminology
- Healthcare Workplace Skills
Program Courses with supporting I-BEST courses
- Quarter 1 Winter
• AH 155 First Aid/CPR/Blood-Borne Pathogen Training, 2 credits
• AHPH 170 Phlebotomy Theory, 4 credits
• AHPH 171 Phlebotomy Lab, 1 credit - Quarter 2 Spring
• AHPH 172 Phlebotomy Externship, 4 credits
Program entry requirements
Tuberculosis (TB) PPD Testing:
Submit proof of ONE of the following:
- 2 step TB (PPD) skin test
- Visit 1: Place the first PPD
- Visit 2: 48-72 hours later, the PPD is read.
- Visit 3: 1-3 weeks after Visit 1, the second PPD is placed.
- Visit 4: 48-72 hours later, the PPD is read.
- The 2-step PPD test, or tuberculin skin test (PPD), is used to detect individuals with past tuberculosis (TB) infection. It is done in a four appointment schedule.
- In summary, 2-step PPD testing requires 2 PPD’s to be placed, 1-3 weeks apart, with each of those tests read 48-72 hours after placement.
OR
- IGRA – TB Blood Test (QuantiFERON TB Gold)
If you have had a positive TB test result, consult your advisor in determining what is your next best step in order to proceed to your clinical rotations.
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap): Must have booster within the last 8 years.
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR): There must be documentation of one of the following:
- 2 vaccinations (6 weeks apart)
- Positive antibody titers (blood draw) for ALL 3 components
- Varicella (Chicken Pox): There must be documentation of one of the following:
- 2 vaccinations (6 weeks apart)
- Positive antibody titers (blood draw)
- Hepatitis B (Hep B): There must be documentation of one of the following:
- 3 vaccinations (2nd shot 2 months after 1st, and 3rd shot 4-6 months after 1st shot)
- Positive antibody titers (blood draw)
- Influenza: Submit documentation of a flu shot administered during the current flu season
- COVID-19: There must be documentation of one of the following:
- Monovalent (original) mRNA COVID-19