For 25 years, Coalinga College has been preparing students for meaningful careers in health care while helping meet one of the region's most critical workforce needs.
What began as a response to a staffing shortage at Coalinga State Hospital has grown into one of the college's signature programs, launching generations of Psychiatric Technicians into careers that serve patients, families, and communities throughout California.
As Coalinga College celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Psychiatric Technician Program this year, the milestone served as both a reflection on a remarkable legacy and a reminder of the important work still ahead.
"The program was born out of a request from Coalinga State Hospital," said Bobbi Mahfood, Dean of Educational Services. "They needed Psychiatric Technicians, and the college responded by creating a pathway that would prepare students for those careers."
Over the years, the program grew into a respected training ground for future healthcare professionals. At its peak, the program served nearly 100 students annually through multiple cohorts, providing a steady pipeline of qualified Psychiatric Technicians for regional employers.
Like many healthcare programs, the Psychiatric Technician Program faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical sites closed, hands-on training opportunities became limited, and enrollment declined. Rebuilding would take determination, collaboration, and a renewed commitment to student success.
In recent years, Coalinga College faculty and staff worked diligently to strengthen the program and restore enrollment. Those efforts recently earned an important milestone when the program received full four-year approval following a successful review by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
The review team praised the work of the faculty and approved the addition of new cohorts, allowing the college to train even more students for careers in behavioral health.
The timing could not be better. The demand for Psychiatric Technicians continues to grow throughout California. Regulatory changes have increased staffing requirements at healthcare facilities, creating an even greater need for trained professionals. Coalinga College's long-standing partnerships with Coalinga State Hospital, Porterville Developmental Center, and River Vista Behavioral Health help ensure students are prepared for careers in a field where employment opportunities are abundant.
But the story of health careers at Coalinga College extends beyond one program.
The Psychiatric Technician Program helped lay the foundation for a broader vision of healthcare workforce development, one that continues to expand opportunities for students throughout the region.
Two years ago, Coalinga College relaunched its Certified Nursing Assistant program with a focus on consistency, accessibility, and workforce preparation. Today, CNA cohorts are offered in both Coalinga and Firebaugh each semester, providing students with a direct pathway into healthcare careers.
Through a partnership with Coalinga Regional Medical Center, students who complete the CNA program and pass their state certification exam are offered employment opportunities, creating a seamless transition from classroom to career.
For many students, the CNA program serves as a first step toward a larger goal.
Many participants are adult learners balancing jobs, families, and financial responsibilities. The CNA pathway allows them to gain skills, secure employment, and build experience before continuing their education.
"Students can complete the CNA program, begin working, and then return to pursue Psychiatric Technician training," Mahfood said. "They are earning a living wage while building the experience that helps them succeed in the next step of their education."
That philosophy of creating stackable credentials and career pathways is shaping the future of health careers at Coalinga College.
The college is preparing to launch a Psychiatric Technician Apprenticeship Program that would allow students to earn wages while completing their education. Apprentices would receive paid on-the-job training with healthcare partners while progressing through the Psychiatric Technician curriculum.
The college has also received approval for an LVN-to-Psychiatric Technician bridge program, creating another pathway for healthcare professionals seeking career advancement.
Beginning this fall, Coalinga College plans to launch a Medical Assisting program in both Coalinga and Firebaugh. The new program will prepare students for careers in physician offices, clinics, and healthcare facilities while helping address workforce shortages across the region.
At the same time, the college is reaching students earlier than ever before.
Through a partnership with Cambridge High School and Coalinga-Huron Unified School District, students will participate in a new pre-nursing academy that introduces them to healthcare careers while still in high school.
The goal is simple: create clear pathways into healthcare careers while removing barriers that often prevent students from pursuing them.
Whether a student begins as a CNA, enters the Psychiatric Technician Program, participates in an apprenticeship, or pursues medical assisting, Coalinga College is creating opportunities for individuals to build rewarding careers close to home.
Twenty-five years after the first Psychiatric Technician students walked through the classroom doors, the mission remains the same: provide opportunities, meet community needs, and transform lives through education.
As healthcare needs continue to grow across California, Coalinga College remains committed to preparing the next generation of professionals who will care for patients, strengthen healthcare systems, and make a difference in the lives of others.