Health Assisting

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.

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.

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Additional Information

Certification Exams

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
Home Care Aide Council Home Health Aide
Dean Vaughn Medical Terminology 350

Career Pathways

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

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

Uniforms

Cooperative Education Program

Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School has instituted a cooperative employment program whereby students in Grade 12 will spend two (2) weeks in class and two (2) weeks in the industry working in the occupation or trade they have been studying in school. Students can apply for the cooperative program in their second semester, junior year, and senior year.

Our Cooperative Education Program is designed to provide an opportunity to further a student's education through actual work experience while gaining valuable employment skills. Typically, most job sites will have 2 students per 1 full-time job, thus job sharing. Students will attend school for 2 weeks for academics and then return to their respective employers for 2 weeks for Co-Op.

Over 120 employers across Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island have partnered with our program to provide students with employment.

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