The Health Assisting Program
is a comprehensive competency-based course that is designed to help students develop the skills needed to meet with success in the workplace. The program introduces the students to career opportunities in the field of healthcare as well as providing an opportunity to become proficient in performing the clinical skills necessary to work in a healthcare environment. Emphasis is placed on specific Nursing Assistant duties and on the concepts pertaining to the psychosocial aspect of caregiving. Students receive a strong academic foundation as well as experiencing externships where they can practice their skills in a real-world setting under the supervision of experienced medical professionals.
Students become First Aid, CPR, and AED certified prior to participating in on-site clinical rotations through the nursing and rehabilitation centers and a local hospital. Students are exposed to a vast array of careers in healthcare through both their clinical rotations in different healthcare departments and their numerous field trips to various healthcare facilities and settings.
In addition to holding Chapter 74 approval, the Health Assisting program is certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Home Health Aide (HHA) testing site and by the Department of Public Health as a Feeding Assistant testing site. The program focuses on safe and effective performance of the student providing clinical care in a healthcare setting.
The following prerequisites, with documentation, must be in place by September 15 of each school year in order for the student to partake in the clinical component of this program:
- Provide documentation of a complete physical examination within the last 24 months
- Copy of all immunizations per DPH school-based standards
- Copy of current insurance card
- Hepatitis B inoculations, and an annual influenza vaccine
- Mantoux Test (tuberculosis) – to be administered by the school nurse
- Urine drug screen – to be administered by the school nurse
- CORI check (Criminal Offender Record Information) to be processed through the school’s Human Resource Manager
- Requirements subject to change per clinical site contract requirements
Course Objectives:
Using industry standards, students will learn the following competencies:
- Integrate academics through project-based learning
- Create a portfolio
- Recognize career pathway opportunities
- Interact safely in a shop environment
- Incorporate the use of industry standard technology and software
- Read, understand, and communicate in the language of the field
- Organize and research information
- Develop a professional appearance, exemplary work ethic and superior communication skills
- Prepare a resume, application letter, and demonstrate interview skills
- Knowledge of medical terminology
- Develop proper interpersonal communication (patient relations) and telephone techniques
- Determine patient needs
- Introduction of Anatomy & Physiology
Certifications/Licenses:
- American Heart Association – BLS CPR/AED Certification
- American Heart Association – HeartSaver First Aid Certification
- Feeding Assistant Certification from the Department of Public Health
- Alzheimer’s Care Provider Certification – Alzheimer’s Association
- Transitional Care Certification – Massachusetts Council for Home Care Aid Services
- HHA (Home Health Aide) Certification – Massachusetts Council for Home Care Aid Services
- Medication Administration Program (MAP) certification
- American Red Cross – CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification
Looking toward the future:
Healthcare is the largest industry in America. Opportunities are unlimited for those who wish to pursue a career in the Healthcare field. Students successfully completing the Health Assisting program have the option of securing gainful employment, continuing formal studies at the post-secondary level, or pursuing a combination of both.
Post-Secondary Options:
| American International College Asnuntuck Community College Bay Path College Elms College | Fitchburg State University Greenfield Community College Holyoke Community College New England Institute of Technology Springfield College | Springfield Technical Community College University of Massachusetts Westfield State University |
Career Opportunities:
Entry-level Jobs – High School Diploma – On-the-Job Training
| Dietary Aide Medical Receptionist | Nurse’s Aide Orderly | Personal Care Attendant Recreational/Activity Aide |
Skilled Jobs – Technical/Community College/Associates Degree or Certificate
| Clinical Lab Technician Dental Assistant/ Hygienist Phlebotomist Electrocardiograph Technician Licensed Practical Nurse | Medical Assistant Nuclear Medicine Technician Occupational Therapy Assistant Paramedic/EMT Pharmacy Assistant | Physical Therapy Assistant Respiratory Therapist Surgical Technician Ultrasound Technician Veterinarian Assistant |
Professional Careers – BS/MS Degree/Graduate Studies
| Anesthesiologist Biomedical Engineer Chiropractor Dentist Dietician/Nutritionist | Health Care Administrator Occupational Therapist Optometrist Pharmacist Physical Therapist | Physician’s Assistant Physician/Surgeon Registered Nurse Speech Pathologist/Audiologist Veterinarian |
Instructors
 Kevin Murdock Exploratory & 1st year (Shop) Ext. 1304 (Classroom) Ext. 1306 |  Nichole Johnson 2nd & 3rd year (Shop) Ext. 1304 (Classroom) Ext. 1306 |
Amy McLaughlin Clinical Assistant (Shop) Ext. 1304 (Classroom) Ext. 1306 |