According to the National Bureau of Labor, Health Careers is one of the twenty fastest growing careers in the United States. Over 35,000 new jobs are expected by 2018. The Health Careers program students learn basic principles of health care professionalism, as well as, legal and ethical considerations. Students will gain a basic understanding of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology. Students will complete their CPR training for Health Care Professionals and this upcoming year, we have partnered with CVS for our new offering of Pharmaceutical Technicians. Upon successful completion of classroom hours and 20 hours of clinical experience, students are eligible to take their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) examination to obtain their Rhode Island Certified Nursing Assistant License. In addition, students will complete a Career Unit preparing for future employment.
The freshman class that we are offering in the Health Careers Pathway is an Explorer Program that we have created in collaboration with South County Hospital. This class offers students the opportunity to learn about the hospital setting and the variety of professional pathways that exist in the Health Industry. The Health Careers program is an introduction to the many careers in the Health Care industry. First year students participate in a half-year course that lasts for a double block. This time allows us to go on site visits to South County Health on a weekly basis where student have the to opportunity to learn about the various departments in a hospital setting and the variety of careers that exist in those departments. Students will also learn about the 11 body systems, HIPPA, trends in health care, and the various career clusters that make up the Health Care industry. In this course students will have opportunities to produce work that may meet the requirements for Expectations 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 of the Graduation Portfolio.
At the end of the course, our goal is to educate our students about the multiple career choices and requirements so that they can make a more educated decision about the courses they select for their following 3 years in the health careers program.
The Health Careers program is a stepping-stone to the many careers in the health field. Second year students learn basic principles of health care professionalism, as well as legal and ethical considerations. Students will gain a basic understanding of medical terminology and expand their knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. They will also have an introduction to practical skills they will be using to complete their Certified Nursing Assistant training in HC 3. Students will also complete their CPR training for Health Care Professionals. In this course students will have opportunities to produce work that may meet the requirements for Expectations 2, 3, 5, and 8 of the Graduation Portfolio.
Third year students develop their skills and knowledge and apply their understanding through clinical experiences at local health care facilities including the hospital environment as well as skilled facilities. Students must prove documentation of immunization per the Department of Health. After the classroom hours and 20 hours of clinical experience are met, students will be eligible to take their exam to obtain their Certified Nursing Assistant License. During this year they will also be given additional instruction in caring for people with Alzheimer’s. In addition, students will complete a Career Unit, which will prepare them for future employment. Students will complete this year with a true understanding of patient care and meaning of professional foundations for health care professionals. In this course students will have opportunities to produce work that may meet the requirements for Expectations 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 of the Graduation Portfolio.
During the fourth year of the program, students are able to explore different personalized tracks that will help them build their knowledge and experience based on their own future professional plans. Students will have the option two complete EMT training, which will prepare students to take the EMT exam. Through rigorous classroom hours and clinical skills students will meet the requirements to be trained as a Basic EMT in the State of RI five hours of patient contact through ride time with a local ambulance service is a requirement of this program. Students may also choose to enroll in the CVS Pharmacy Technician program. This program will prepare students for job placement at CVS as a technician and is a wonderful opportunity for those students seeking to pursue a career in Pharmacy. Students may also look into and secure a job-specific internship and shadow with a medical professional exposing them to the roles and responsibilities of a specific medical pathway. Upon completion of the four years students will have ample opportunity to meet several portfolio expectation requirements. Students are encouraged to participate in an Internship. In this course students will have opportunities to produce work that may meet the requirements for Expectations 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10 of the Graduation Portfolio.
For more information on CNA licensure, visit http://www.health.ri.gov/for/nursingassistants/