Health Assisting Program Overview

The Health Assisting program offers bright prospects for students seeking rewarding careers in one of the fastest growing employment areas. The overall objective of the program is to give each student an opportunity to develop his/her unique potential and achieve personal, academic, vocational/technical, and civic goals. This is accomplished by providing, in conjunction with other school activities and programs, a state-of-the-art, integrated academic, and a vocational/technical program that focuses on knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed by contemporary health care workers both in general and in select specialty areas.

Qualified students may take the certifying exams for the following:

OSHA 10-Hour General Industry-Healthcare

American Red Cross Babysitter Training

National Safety Council First Aid

National Safety Council Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogens

American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers (CPR)

MA Department of Public Health Nurse Aide

National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners Alzheimer’s and Dementia Training

MA Council for Home Care Aide Services Home Health Aide

National Healthcareer Association EKG Technician

MA Council of Human Service Providers Direct Support Specialist

Clinical experiences are provided in select health care-related agencies. Employment opportunities exist in diverse health care settings even before graduation. Those who gain additional education may pursue certification, registration, or licensure in nursing and dental careers, diagnostic services, emergency medical services, psychological and social services, rehabilitative services, nutrition and dietary services, and more.

Announcements

Diman Advisory Board Seeks Your Help

We want you to join the Diman family. While we're proud of our vocational programs and their ability to turn young men and women into skilled members of the community, we can't maintain that level of quality without the help of industry professionals. Please consider joining our Vocational Advisory Board, where you will help steer our vocational programs and students toward future success. Learn more and apply here.

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Skills & Careers

Students graduating from Diman have a variety of job options open to them. Below is a partial list of jobs Diman grads from this program are qualified for, depending on their level of education.

Diman Diploma	2 Year College	4 Year College
Nurse aide Home health aide Dietary aide EKG technician Direct care specialist	Massage therapist X-ray technician Medical assistant Optometrist Licensed practical nurse Registered nurse Pharmacy technician Surgical technician Emergency medical technician Respiratory therapist Physical therapy assistant Occupational therapy assistant	Athletic trainer Speech therapist Physical therapist Registered nurse Medical laboratory technologist Occupational therapist Dietician Medical doctor Pharmacist Psychologist Nurse Practitioner Physician’s Assistant

Skills & Skill Areas

Understanding medical terminology
Communicating effectively
Reporting and recording client data
Assisting with activities of daily living
Administering comfort measures
Responding to client needs
Assisting with nutrition and hydration
Measuring and recording vital signs
Demonstrating employability skills
Demonstrating health and safety practices
Responding to medical emergencies

Demonstrating child care skills
Assisting clients with cognitive impairments
Identifying ethical and legal responsibilities
Complying with infection control procedures
Operating a mechanical lift
Collecting specimens
Performing electrocardiography
Assisting with medication administration
Performing phlebotomy
Understanding intellectual & developmental disabilities

In the News

Diman students in demand

Looking for a job? You’re in luck, with experts saying that the current job market offers historic levels of open positions across a wide swath of industries. “It’s the first time when the leverage is really in employees’ hands,” said Kevin Lazaro, Director of Cooperative Education at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School. “I’ve seen a lot of changes, but I’ve never seen such a boon of job opportunities across a multitude of industries.” (6/15/22)

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This DACA recipient was a top Diman grad. Now she's a nurse on the front lines of COVID.

A Diman graduate and DACA recipient who spent most of last year working on the front lines of the pandemic is hoping to combat the inequalities she’s witnesses as a health care worker and immigrant. (3/4/21)

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Giving kids smiles

The Dental Assisting and Health Assisting shops hosted approximately 125 head start children in “Give Kids a Smile” during the month of February, honoring children’s dental health month. (2/14/20)

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Strong, Smart, and Bold

Diman students recently had the opportunity to enjoy a visit from Lyndsey Littlefield, the current Miss Massachusetts. She spoke to students in the Dental Assisting, Health Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Business Technology Shops. (1/9/20)

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Diman shops give kids a smile

The Dental Assisting and Health Careers programs hosted the local Head Start program during Children's Dental Health Month. (2/13/19)

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Health Assisting students earn CNA certification

29 Health Assisting juniors have completed the Nurse Aide Training Program, which begins in the freshman year and continues through the junior year. Training involves a clinical rotation at Kimwell Healthcare in Fall River, where students are given a resident assignment and apply knowledge and skills learned in shop to care for residents in a long-term care setting. (5/25/18)

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