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Pima Medical Institute
About Pima Medical Institute
Pima Medical Institute is an employee-owned, accredited medical career college with roots going back to 1972. Founded in Tucson, Arizona by Richard and JoAnn Luebke, the school was built around a straightforward mission: give students the best value in healthcare career education. More than five decades later, that mission hasn't changed.
Today, Pima Medical operates 16 campuses across the western United States, offering certificate, associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs across more than 30 healthcare disciplines - from nursing and radiography to dental hygiene, veterinary sciences, and beyond. Online and hybrid learning options are also available for students who need flexibility.
A Legacy Built on Student Success
Over 175,000 graduates have gone on to work in medical, dental, and veterinary hospitals, clinics, and practices across the country. Pima Medical's hands-on approach to education is designed to produce graduates who are ready to contribute from day one - prepared with the skills employers expect and the confidence to thrive in their chosen field.
Part of the Family
When students enroll at Pima Medical Institute, they join an institution that treats them as more than a number. Faculty and staff are respected professionals in their fields, committed to supporting student success not just in the classroom but beyond graduation.
Available Programs
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Certificate - Medical Assistant
Pima Medical Institute's Medical Assistant certificate program prepares students for an entry-level role working alongside physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Because the responsibilities of a medical assistant span both clinical and administrative functions, the program is designed to develop a well-rounded skill set that supports high-quality patient care across a variety of settings.
The program takes approximately 9 months to complete and is available at 16 campuses across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington.
What Medical Assistants Do
Medical assistants support the daily operations of healthcare facilities by handling both patient-facing clinical tasks and behind-the-scenes administrative work. Graduates of this program are prepared to work in physicians' offices, hospitals, clinics, and outpatient medical facilities, with additional opportunities in administrative support and office management roles.
What the Program Covers
The curriculum progresses through a structured sequence of coursework covering both the clinical and administrative sides of medical assisting, including:
- Anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology
- Medical office management and professional documentation
- Insurance, billing, and coding fundamentals
- Physical examination techniques and surgical procedures
- Pharmacology, medical law, and ethics
- Phlebotomy and laboratory procedures
- Medical specialty procedures and office communication
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Certificate - Dental Assistant
Pima Medical Institute's Dental Assistant certificate program prepares students for an entry-level role as a valued member of a dental care team. The program covers the clinical, administrative, and communication skills needed to assist during treatment procedures, support patient comfort, and keep the dental office running smoothly.
The program takes approximately 9 months to complete and is available at 15 campuses across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington.
What Dental Assistants Do
Dental assistants work alongside dentists and other dental professionals in a variety of settings. Graduates of this program are prepared to pursue roles such as dental assistant, orthodontic assistant, oral surgery assistant, and surgical dental assistant. Career opportunities exist across solo practices, group practices, hospital dental clinics, dental school clinics, and specialty practices.
What the Program Covers
The curriculum builds foundational knowledge and hands-on skills across all core areas of dental assisting, including:
- Anatomy, physiology, and terminology
- Anatomy and pathology of the head, neck, and oral cavity
- Fundamentals of dentistry and chairside assisting
- Dental radiography
- Dental equipment and materials
- Dental office administration and charting
- Dental therapeutics and emergency procedures
- CPR and first aid
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Certificate - Veterinary Assistant
Pima Medical Institute's Veterinary Assistant certificate program prepares students for an entry-level role supporting veterinarians and veterinary staff across a range of clinical and administrative functions. The program covers both the hands-on and operational skills needed to care for animals in a professional setting.
The program takes approximately 9 months to complete and is available at 14 campuses across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington.
What Veterinary Assistants Do
Veterinary assistants work alongside licensed veterinarians and technicians to support animal care from exam room to recovery. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles such as veterinary assistant, laboratory animal caretaker, and animal care or service worker in settings including veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, and zoos.
What the Program Covers
The curriculum develops both clinical knowledge and practical skills across all core areas of veterinary assisting, including:
- Veterinary anatomy, physiology, and terminology
- Clinical laboratory procedures
- Animal life stages, nutrition, and husbandry
- Animal nursing and radiography
- Pharmacology
- Aseptic technique and surgical assisting
- Veterinary office procedures
- CPR and first aid
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Certificate - Pharmacy Technician
Pima Medical Institute's Pharmacy Technician certificate program prepares students for an entry-level role supporting pharmacists and patients in a variety of pharmacy settings. The program combines hands-on lab training with professional skill development, covering everything from prescription preparation and drug inventory management to customer service and patient safety.
The program takes approximately 9 months to complete and is available at 12 campuses across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington.
What Pharmacy Technicians Do
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with the preparation and dispensing of medications while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and a positive patient experience. Graduates are prepared to work as pharmacy technicians, pharmacy clerks, and IV-certified pharmacy technicians across a range of environments including hospitals, retail and mail-order pharmacies, assisted-living facilities, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings.
What the Program Covers
The curriculum builds both technical knowledge and practical skills across all core areas of pharmacy practice, including:
- Anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology
- Pharmacy math across multiple levels
- Pharmacology and drug classifications
- Inventory maintenance and drug supply management
- Pharmacy laws, ethics, and patient safety
- Prescription preparation and pharmacy technician duties
- Customer service principles
- Pharmacy computer applications and laboratory skills
Students also train on PioneerRx Pharmacy Software, a real-world pharmacy management system used in the field.
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Certificate - Medical Billing and Coding
Pima Medical Institute's Medical Billing and Coding certificate program prepares students for an essential behind-the-scenes role in healthcare. Medical billing and coding professionals serve as the connection between healthcare providers and insurance companies, ensuring that patient records are accurately documented and claims are processed correctly.
The program takes approximately 9 months to complete and is currently offered at the East Valley, Arizona campus. The curriculum combines on-campus and online instruction.
What Medical Billing and Coding Professionals Do
Graduates work in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, home healthcare services, and pharmacies. The role focuses on translating medical procedures and diagnoses into standardized codes used for billing, reimbursement, and record keeping.
What the Program Covers
The curriculum builds a thorough foundation in both the technical and administrative aspects of medical billing and coding, including:
- Anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology
- Insurance, billing, and coding fundamentals
- Clinical and hospital diagnostic medical coding
- Procedural medical coding
- Electronic health records
- Medical billing and reimbursement methods
- Claims management
- Medical law and ethics
- Professional documentation and medical office management
The program concludes with a certification review and capstone course to prepare graduates for professional credentialing exams.
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Certificate - Sterile Processing Technician
Pima Medical Institute's Sterile Processing Technician certificate program prepares students for an essential behind-the-scenes role in healthcare. Sterile processing technicians are responsible for cleaning, sterilizing, and preparing the surgical instruments and medical equipment that healthcare teams rely on every day - making them a critical part of patient safety across a wide range of clinical settings.
The program takes approximately 9 months to complete and is available at campuses in Phoenix, AZ, Denver, CO, and Seattle, WA.
The curriculum progresses through a structured sequence covering both the technical and procedural aspects of sterile processing, including:
- Anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology
- Principles and practices of sterile processing
- Surgical instruments and surgical terminology
- Microbiology and infection control
- Sterilization procedures and practice
- Decontamination procedures and practice
- Storage and distribution
- Medical equipment
- CPR and first aid
Students complete a supervised externship in a real healthcare setting as part of the program, followed by a certification review course preparing graduates to sit for the CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) credentialing examination.
Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of clinical environments including hospitals, operating rooms, emergency rooms, intensive care units, surgery centers, dental and eye care practices, plastic surgery offices, and medical laboratories.
Campus Locations
Albuquerque, NM
4400 Cutler Ave N.E.
Albuquerque,
Aurora, CO
13750 E. Mississippi Ave
Aurora,
Chula Vista, CA
780 Bay Boulevard #101
Chula Vista,
Colorado Springs, CO
5725 Mark Dabling Boulevard Suite 150
Colorado Springs,
Denver, CO
7475 Dakin Street
Denver,
East Valley, AZ
2160 S. Power Road
Mesa,
El Paso, TX
6926 Gateway Boulevard E.
El Paso,
Houston, TX
11125 Equity Drive, Suite 100
Houston,
Las Vegas, NV
3333 E. Flamingo Road
Las Vegas,
Mesa, AZ
957 S. Dobson Road
Mesa,
Phoenix, AZ
13430 N. Black Canyon Highway
Phoenix,
Renton, WA
555 S. Renton Village Place
Renton,
San Antonio, TX
6550 First Park Ten Blvd
San Antonio,
San Marcos, CA
111 Campus Way
San Marcos, CA,
Seattle, WA
9709 Third Avenue N.E., Suite 400
Seattle,
Tucson, AZ
2121 N. Craycroft Road, Building 1
Tucson,