Get a healthy start to great career options

Employment opportunities in the health care field are at an all-time high because of qualified worker shortages and increased demand. Careers in the health field offer diversity, personal satisfaction, flexibility, salary and benefit packages and advancement opportunities with experience and further education.

Course Overview

This course is designed to expose students to a variety of health-related occupations. Students taking this class will be interested in providing health care services that can help identify, evaluate, prevent, and treat diseases. The core curriculum addresses the academic foundation as well as the fundamentals of caregiving and the job skills necessary for a variety of healthcare positions. Clinical experiences may include nursing homes, hospitals, pharmacies, clinic positions, veterinary offices, urgent centers, dentists, physicians’ offices, laboratories and rehabilitation centers. The program is divided into three components - lecture, laboratory and clinical experience. Science, math (including metrics) and reading are a large part of the course.

Learning Environment

Time is spent in the classroom and the lab. Students should have good English skills and an ability to work well with others. Students will spend the first semester learning the basics of health care. The second semester provides students with the opportunity to participate in a work experience, which will take them out of the classroom and into local hospitals, nursing homes and other community health settings.

Is it right for me? It is if you…

…are detail-oriented
…follow directions well
…work well under pressure
…like to work with people
…can accept responsibility
…want to learn how the body works
…enjoy science
…are organized
…are good at problem solving

Potential Careers

Participation in Health Occupations and further training can help prepare you for jobs in areas like:

Associate’s Degree

Registered Nurse
Dental Hygienist
Veterinary Technician
Radiography Technician
Respiratory Care
Health Fitness Specialist
Surgical Technician
Medical Office Mgmnt.

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Physical or Occupational Therapist
Physician or Physician Assistant
Health Education Specialist
Public Health Official
Exercise Science or Cardiac Rehab
Dietician
Counselor or Therapist
Healthcare Administration

What’s It Like?

Instructor Stacy Nold says: “Students who enroll in this program must be able to work independently. Grade standards are a requirement for clinical placement during the second semester. Academic expectations are high, and professional conduct and dress are required at clinical sites. All immunizations must be up to date and a TB skin test is required before clinical placement.”

Primary Units of Instruction

(lecture, demonstration and lab work):

Health Careers
Anatomy & Physiology
Medical Terminology
Nutrition and Wellness
Safety in the Workplace
Legal/Ethical Standards
Infection Control
First Aid/CPR Certification
Communication
Patient Assessment (Vital Signs)
Healthcare Delivery Systems
Pre-Employment Skills

Length of Program:

One Year, two semesters

Program Schedule:

A.M. Session - 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
P.M. Session - 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Going to college? Start with CTE

It is possible to earn articulated college credit through an articulation agreement between CTE and many Michigan community colleges and universities. This credit can only be granted after successful completion of the CTE program and future enrollment at a college or university that has a current articulation agreement with Clare-Gladwin CTE. See your school counselor for more information.

College Partnerships

Davenport University
Ferris State University
Kirtland Community College
Mid Michigan Community College

The Path to Certification

Health Occupations can help set you up to earn these health field certifications:

Phlebotomy
Nursing Assistant
Pharmacy Aid
EMT or Paramedic
Laboratory Technician
Medical Assistant
Personal Trainer • Massage Therapist

High School Credit and CTE Certification

Students may earn the state-required fourth-year math-related course credit through this program. Local schools will award high school credit upon successful completion of this program. The CTE Certificate of Completion will be awarded to students who successfully complete their programs.