Students who are caring, compassionate and possess critical thinking skills should check out Health Occupations Technology (HOT). Statistics from the PA Department of Labor & Industry indicate that occupations in health care will continue to experience the highest growth rate.  Students enrolled in the HOT program will also be enrolled in the Nurse Aide program during their first year. First year students will also be introduced to medical terminology and basic anatomy while learning about common disease conditions. Second year students will continue with medical terminology and begin a more in-dept course in anatomy and physiology as well as studying human growth and development either their second or third year in the program. Third year students might pursue the pharmacy technician program and will be introduced to medical assisting. There are opportunities for students to investigate and explore career options in the health care field both through shadow experiences and research programs during their enrollment in HOT.

Through scheduled clinical experiences at local long-term care facilities, students apply learned health care theory to actual “hands-on” clinical practice. Students who satisfactorily achieve 112 theory hours and 38 clinical hours may be eligible to take the PA Nurse Aide (NA) competency exam. Passing the NA exam provides immediate entry into the job market.

Those third year students, who elect to participate in the pharmacy technician curriculum, may have the opportunity to spend their clinical time at a local pharmaceutical packaging facility. Upon completion of this program and graduation from high school, the student may elect to take the PTCB certification examination.

Planned Courses

• Introduction to Allied Health Careers
• Introduction to Nursing Assistance
• Legal and Ethical Standards of Health Professions
• Infection Control
• Safety and Emergency Care
• Medical Terminology
• Communication Skills
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Personal Care Procedures
• Basic Nursing Procedures
• Pharmacy Technician
• Crime & Violence Prevention
• Residents Rights
• Common Chronic & Acute Conditions
• Mental Health & Social Services
• Home Health Aide
• Human Needs & Development

Academic Courses (Recommended & Required for Tech Prep)

• Algebra I
• Algebra II
• Biology
• Chemistry

Advanced Standing

• Westmoreland County Community College
• Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
• Pennsylvania College of Technology
• Dual Enrollment opportunities with PA Highlands Community College

Career Opportunities

• Nurse Assistant
• Medical Assistant
• Registered Nurse*
• Licensed Practical Nurse*
• X-Ray Technician*
• Physical/Occupational Therapist or Assistant*
• Surgical Technician*
• Physician’s Assistant*
• Medical Lab Technician*
• Pharmacy Technician*
• Massage Therapist*
• EMT or Paramedic*
• Respiratory Therapist*

*Post-secondary education required