Health Care Technology career preparation provides students with a thorough knowledge of the health care industry. Initial focus is on health career exploration, patient care, leadership skills, computer literacy, and medical business skills. Upon completion of Health Care Technology 1, students may become certified as nursing assistants through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at our on-site testing lab. Students who complete Patient Care are eligible to take the Massachusetts Council of Home Health Aides exam.
Health Care Technology 1 students are placed at Quincy Medical Center / Steward Health Care System and Hancock Park to prepare them for the state certified nursing assistant exam. Patient Care students participate in direct patient care and job shadowing on the medical/surgical floors of Quincy Medical Center. Health Care Technology 2 students have clinical placements at rehabilitation facilities, medical offices, clinics, pharmacies, veterinary clinics, developmental disabilities centers, and with the Quincy Public Health Department. Field trips allow students to see a variety of health care career possibilities.
What can you do with your Health Care Technology career training?
Health care employs nearly 14 million workers in the US. Some health care professionals practice independently. Others work as part of a health care team, providing assessment, planning treatment, and evaluating progress. Others play a major role in informing the health care team of the patient's progress and response to treatment. The demand for qualified health care workers is extremely high.
Training you need:
While many careers require college degrees and some require graduate degrees, hundreds of great-paying paraprofessional careers require only a 1- or 2-year certificate and/or on-the-job training.
Where you can work:
Health care workers are employed in many settings including hospitals, medical offices, clinics, in-home care, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, veterinary hospitals, schools, prisons, forensic laboratories, radiology centers, and specialty facilities.
What you can earn:
Salaries range widely depending on responsibilities and education. Personal care aides average $11.00/hr. Nurses average $55,000 - $150,000. Pharmacists, dieticians, therapists, and speech/language specialists average $60,000-$85,000. Physician's salaries average about $153,000. Physician assistants average $74,980.
Career outlook:
Over the next 10 years, nursing jobs will grow about 25%, home health care will grow about 55%. Ambulatory care will grow about 32%. Medical and lab careers will increase about 17%. Employment at doctor and dental offices and care centers will grow about 23%.
Certifications or Licenses You May Earn While in High School:
- Health Care Technology Program Certificate
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Home Health Aide
- Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers
- Adult, Infant, and Child CPR
- AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
- Adult and Pediatric First Aid
Equipment/software you will learn to use:
Students use manikins, hospital beds, vital sign instruments, EKG machines, X-ray illuminators, scales, microscopes, phlebotomy arms and equipment. Computer labs are available for research and presentations. Clinical placements provide experience with the newest medical technology with endoscopy and radiology techniques and other medical procedures using a variety of therapeutic devices.
What kind of job can you get with this training?
Certified nursing assistant, home care assistant/aide, medical office assistant, pharmacy assistant, patient care technician, and mental health aide.
With additional training/education, what jobs are available?
Physician, physician assistants, nurses, dentists, hygienists, respiratory therapist, physical or occupational therapist, athletic trainer, veterinarian, pharmacist, speech/language specialist and dietitian are only a few of the hundreds of lucrative careers available.
Recommended Course of Study
Grade 9
English
Foreign Language
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Physical Education
Pathways
1 Elective Course
Grade 10
English
Foreign Language
Mathematics
Science (Biology)
Social Studies
Physical Education
Health/Human Service Introduction
1 Elective Course
Grade 11
English
Mathematics
Science (Chemistry)
Social Studies
Physical Education
Health Care Technology 1
1 Elective Course-Psychology
Grade 12
English
Social Studies
Science (Anatomy/Physiology)
Physical Education
Health Care Technology 2 or Patient Care
1 Elective Course-Human Behavior