Health Careers
The Health Careers program provides first-year students with the opportunity to explore a variety of health-related careers. Students who are interested in nursing may select the Nursing Assistant program. Individuals who are interested in a career as a health care professional, but have not decided which of many paths to follow, may select the Health Careers Exploration course.
All first-year students will complete health careers core studies during the first semester. The core includes physiology, anatomy, medical terminology, patient assessment/vital signs, infection control, medical ethics, job-related safety, and communication skills. Students will be trained in CPR and first aid and will have the opportunity to earn certification. All students must receive a teacher recommendation to continue for a second semester.
Please Note: All Health Careers students must have their immunization records up-to-date before enrollment and must follow prescribed dress and grooming standards.
Health Careers Exploration: After completion of core studies, students selecting the Health Careers Exploration course will complete hospital work-site visitations. During the visitations, students rotate through various departments which may include the following medical careers: Admissions; Cardiopulmonary; Dietary; Emergency Room; Medical Laboratory; Physical, Occupational and Respiratory Therapy; Outpatient Surgery; Radiology; and Recovery Room. Other departments may be added depending on availability. Each rotation is paired with time back in the TEC classroom where students complete written assignments to prepare for the next rotation.
Nursing Assistant: After completion of core studies, students selecting the Nursing Assistant course will spend time in the classroom preparing for clinical and hands-on training at a medical facility. Classroom instruction will include personal care of patients, hospital bed making, infection control, safety procedures, rehabilitation and long-term care, and interpersonal/communication skills.
Following the classroom training, students begin actual patient care at selected medical facilities. The clinical experience is approximately 12 weeks. During this time, students demonstrate clinical skills three days a week at a facility and return to the classroom two days a week to practice, review and reinforce skills. Upon completion, students will be expected to demonstrate the state-mandated skills needed to provide quality and competent patient care. Successful students will receive TEC certification, which will enable them to take the Michigan Competency Evaluation Examination to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Students who have successfully completed the first year of Health Careers may enroll in the second-year Health Careers program. Two options are available: the Internship Program and, for students who completed the Nursing Assistant Program and successfully passed the Michigan Competency Evaluation Examination to become Certified Nursing Assistants, placement in Nursing Assistant Cooperative Education may be available.
Internship Program: As a second-year option, students may be considered for a full-time training placement at a medical facility. Students do not attend class at TEC. Instead, they report to an assigned medical facility each day and receive training from medical personnel at the facility. Students are considered trainees and may not receive pay for their experience. A TEC coordinator makes regular visits to the facility. Students follow a pre-established curriculum, daily attendance is recorded and letter grades are issued for performance. Students must provide their own transportation and return to TEC one day a month to meet with the coordinator.
Please Note: Students must have teacher recommendation. Enrollment is limited and students should be prepared to accept a second or third choice. There may be prerequisites for some areas.
Training options include:
- Athletic trainer
- Birthing services assistant
- Dental assistant
- EMT assistant
- Emergency room assistant
- Geriatric assistant
- Group home assistant
- Health Department assistant
- Medical physician’s assistant
- Medical receptionist
- Medical records assistant
- Occupational therapy assistant
- Operating room assistant
- Optometric assistant
- Orthodontic assistant
- Pediatric nurse assistant
- Pharmacy assistant
- Phlebotomist
- Physical therapy assistant
- Recreation therapy assistant
- Respiratory therapy assistant
- Veterinary assistant
- X-ray tech assistant
Nursing Assistant Cooperative Education: Students obtaining Certified Nursing Assistant credentials may be eligible for co-op placement. Students selected for this course of study become paid trainees at a medical facility and do not attend class at TEC. Instead, students receive advanced training from medical personnel as they complete daily work assignments. A pre-established training plan is followed, attendance is taken, and letter grades are issued. Students must provide their own transportation. Students are required to return to TEC twice a month for additional instruction.
Please Note: Enrollment may be limited and is subject to job availability.
