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Health Assisting

Life Sciences & Services Academy

Health, Hospitality & Human Services Pathway

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Learn More About our Academy Model

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View all CTE Programs MA State Frameworks

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Learn About Our Advisory Committees

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Students in the Health Assisting career major

Program Description

The healthcare field has seen many changes over the past ten years.  There is a dire need for qualified, competent, and compassionate healthcare workers. Completing the four-year Health Assisting Program will prepare the students for various entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. Students in this program can acquire skills via the classroom/lab setting and clinical setting that prepare them for a career in healthcare. Students are introduced to Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Disease pathology, Human Growth and Development, and Restorative care.  This program is designed to focus on introducing students to a career in health, focusing on nursing assistant certification. Students who complete all requirements will be eligible to sit for the Massachusetts state registry for CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). Students will be able to train in a simulated lab setting followed by an actual clinical setting, working with healthcare professionals and patients.  Senior year students will have EKG (electrocardiogram) basic skills training and/or introduction to phlebotomy technician and Basic EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) training. Eligible seniors have also found co-operatives paid placements at local hospitals, doctors' offices, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. 

Image of a student having his blood pressure checked by a nurse.

Course Content

  •  
  • Intro to Allied Health 
  • Body Positions & Directional Planes 
  • Communication & Professionalism in the Workplace 
  • First Aid/CPR 
  • Medical Terminology 
  • Infection Control 
  • Vital Signs 
  • Growth and Development 
  • Life Stages from Birth to Geriatrics 
  • Health and Nutrition 
  • Body System and Functions 
  • Employability Skills 
  • Clinical Placement in Nursing 
  • Home Practicing Skills 
  • Protecting Patients 
  • Cultural Differences 
  • Understanding Dementia 
  • Total Care of Patient (Theory and practice of all skills involved) 
  • EKG Basics 
  • Phlebotomy technician Training including Understanding the Basics of Venipuncture, Dermal Puncture 
  • Basic EMT Training 
  • Nurse Assistant 
  • Home Health/Resident Assistant
  •  

Career Tree: Health Assisting

First page of the PDF file: HealthAssistingCareerTree2024

Employers Hiring Minuteman Graduates

  • Armstrong Ambulance
  • Emerson Hospital
  • Lahey Clinic
  • Mount Auburn Hospital

Health Assisting Instructors

Nicole Copithorne

Instructor-Health Assisting, Class of 2025 Class Advisor

Anne Marie Guanci

Instructor-Health Assisting, Non-Traditional Career Advisor Lead
Certification Header

Industry Certifications

  • American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed Certification
  • American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)  
  • American Heart Association First Aid Certification 
  • EKG technicican
  • Homecare Aide Council Home Health Aide/Home Health Assistant Certification  
  • Massachusetts Board of Registration Certified Nursing Assistant 
  • Massachusetts Personal and Homecare Aide Training (PHCAST)  
  • National Health Career Association Certification
  • OSHA Health Edition, 10-hour certification 
  • Person-Centered Dementia Care 
  • Serve Safe food handler online certification

Possible Career Pathways

  • Certified Nurse Assistant
  • EKG Technician
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Licensed Practical Nurse
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Transcriptionist
  • MD
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Physician Assistant
  • Physical Therapist
  • Radiology Technician
  • Registered Nurse
  • 911 Dispatcher
Projected Salary

Salary

National averages:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant: $38,130/yr [$18.33/hr]
  • Emergency Medical Technician: $44,780/yr [$21.53/hr]

Massachusetts averages:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant: $20-29 hr; $37,000-60,000/yr
  • Emergency Medical Technician: $25.00/hour; $54,359/year
  • Licensed Practical Nurse: $27-44.58/hr; $56,000 $91,434/yr
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician: $32.87/hr; $76,529/yr

Updated 12/12/24

College Agreement Header

College Partners

  • All 15 Massachusetts Community Colleges*
  • Fisher College
  • Keene State College
*depending on availability of chosen major 

Advisory Committee Partners

  • Brigham Health Primary Care
  • Brigham & Womens (Brookline)
  • Carleton-Willard
  • Haitian American Medical Association (HAMA)/MGH/Regis College
  • Hanscom A.F.B. Fire Department 
  • Middlesex Community College 
  • Mount Auburn Hospital
  • Partners Healthcare  
  • Gibbs School
  • Northeast Metro Vocational High School
  • UMass Memorial Medical Center