Health Sciences Cluster
Health Assisting
About This Program
The Health Assisting program trains students to become certified nursing assistants with advanced skill training in electrocardiology and phlebotomy. This program is also an excellent foundation for nursing, physical therapy, athletic training or other health-related fields requiring college degrees. In this program, students will have the opportunity to become certified in both ECG and phlebotomy through the National Healthcare Association. Medical terminology is taught throughout the senior year, and students can receive three credits at North Shore Community College upon completion with a B grade or higher for this class. Students become certified in both CPR-Healthcare Provider and First Aid. See below for full course descriptions.
Career Paths
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Registered Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Surgical Technician
- Athletic Trainor
- Pharmacy Technician
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
Industry Partnerships
- Hogan Regional Center
- Continuing Care at Brooksby Village
- Benchmark Senior Living at Putnam Farm
- Seasons of Danvers
- North Shore Medical Center
- Lahey Health
- Cataldo Ambulance Service
- Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- SkillsUSA
Certifications
- OSHA 10 Hour Health
- CPR-Healthcare Provider/First Aid
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- EKG-Phlebotomy
- Emergency Medical Technician
Articulation Agreerments
- North Shore Community College
- Massachusetts State Articulation Agreement
- Certified Nursing Assistant
Advisory Committee Members
- Heather Angel, Seasons Danvers
- Jeanne Argento, Department of Environmental Protection
- Tammy Coulter, Brooksby Village
- Mary Crowe, Care Dimensions
- Pamela Curtis, Curtis Nursing and Rehab
- Ruthie Exama, Seacoast Nursing and Rehab
- Sam Kirby
- Ed Lydon, Beverly Hospital
- Hannah Marchant, Putnam Farm at Danvers and Salem State University
- Nancy Moriarty, Seacoast Nursing & Rehab
- Taylor Ouellette, Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc.
- Ron Quaranto, Cataldo Ambulance Service
- Charlene Richardson, Massachusetts Nurses Association and Cambridge Hea
- Emily Smith, Endicott College School of Nursing
- Janelle Terciak, Seasons of Danvers
- Lois Tobin, Hogan Regional Center
Meeting Documents
- Health Assisting Fall 2017 PAC Meeting Minutes
- Health Assisting Fall 2018 PAC Meeting Minutes
- Health Assisting Fall 2019 PAC Meeting Minutes
- Health Assisting Fall 2020 PAC Meeting Minutes
- Health Assisting Fall 2022 PAC Meeting Minutes
- Health Assisting Spring 2018 PAC Meeting Minutes
- Health Assisting Spring 2019 PAC Meeting Minutes
- Health Assisting Spring 2021 PAC Meeting Minutes
- Health Assisting Spring 2022 PAC Meeting Minutes
Student Outcomes
Kaylyn Countie, Class of 2016
Where are they now? Kaylyn is a junior nursing student at Endicott College completing her maternity and pediatric rotations with Boston area hospitals. She also works part-time at Beverly Hospital on the Progressive Care Unit as a Nursing Assistant.
“Through the Health Assisting Program, I was able to pass the state certification exam and became a Certified Nurses Assistant. My job also includes performing EKGs and phlebotomy, which are skills I acquired through my time at Essex North Shore. I cannot speak enough about the opportunities Essex North Shore provided me during my time there and how it has helped me in my current position. The knowledge I gained gave me the confidence in nursing school to not be hesitant in clinical experiences and take advantage of all the learning opportunities thrown my way.”
Meet the Health Assisting Teachers
Ms. Krista Marcoulier
Health Assisting Teacher
KMarcoulier@essextech.net
Ms. Rebecca O’Keefe
Health Assisting Teacher
rokeefe@essextech.net
Ms. Annemarie Tesora
Health Assisting Teacher
ATesora@essextech.net
Ms. Unelia Videira
Health Assisting Teacher
UVideira@essextech.net
Health Assisting Course Descriptions
| Course Number | Name | Credit | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| ha101 | Health Assisting Exploratory 9 | 1.0 | Grade 9 |
| ha103 | Health Assisting 9 | 10.0 | Grade 9 |
| ha200 | Health Assisting 10 | 20.0 | Grade 10 |
| ha300 | Health Assisting 11 | 20.0 | Grade 11 |
| 3330 | Anatomy & Physiology | 4.0 | Grade 11 |
| ha305 | Health Assisting Cooperative Education 11 | 12.0 | Grade 11 |
| phs301 | CTE Pathway: Communication for Health Professionals | 2.0 | Grade 11 |
| phs302 | CTE Pathway: Medical Forensics | 2.0 | Grade 11 |
| ha400 | Health Assisting 12 | 20.0 | Grade 12 |
| ha401 | Health Assisting Theory 12 | 4.0 | Grade 12 |
| ha405 | Health Assisting Cooperative Education 12 | 24.0 | Grade 12 |
| phs401 | CTE Pathway: Data Analysis in Health Sciences | 4.0 | Grade 12 |
Health Assisting Exploratory 9
Course # ha101 | Credit: 1
This five-day cycle exploratory course introduces grade 9 students to the art of caregiving. Students will explore the following topics: career pathways, infection control, responding to emergencies, communication in healthcare, and organ donation. Students will also be given an opportunity to learn basic anatomy and physiology. The goal of this exploratory course will be to dive into the healthcare field.
Health Assisting 9
Course # ha103 | Credits: 10
This semester-based course will offer students an expanded overview of the art of caregiving. By introducing them to the knowledge and skills in preparation for the nursing certification exam in grade 11. Students will begin the Nursing Assistant curriculum approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Major topics will include: working in healthcare, growth and development, responding to emergencies, and controlling the spread of infection in healthcare. Certifications will include: Heartsaver First Aid and Heartsaver Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
Health Assisting 10
Course # ha200 | Credits: 20
This full-year course will further develop student knowledge and skills in order to prepare them for the nursing certification exam in grade 11. Students will delve further into the Nursing Assistant curriculum approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Major topics will include: cognitive changes, developmental disabilities, and ethical and legal issues in healthcare. Students will be given opportunities to work with individuals with developmental disabilities along with clinical placements at community early childhood centers and memory-care facilities. Certifications in grade 10 will include OSHA along with an opportunity to receive completion certifications in Dementia and Medical Terminology.
Health Assisting 11
Course # ha300 | Credits: 20
This full-year course will continue to develop student understanding and skills through participation in the Nursing Assistant curriculum approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.Students will build upon the skills they have acquired in previous years as they learn to master new content and skills. Students will complete their clinical internship at a local long-term care facility. Certifications in grade 11 will include:BLS (CPR for healthcare providers) and First Aid. Upon completion of the program students will be eligible to take the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Certified Nursing Assistant Exam (written and practical) for licensure. Once licensed, students may have the opportunity to begin a Cooperative Education placement.
Anatomy & Physiology [Health Assisting Theory 11
Course # 3330 | Credits: 4
This full-year, lab-based theory course will give students an in-depth understanding of human anatomy and physiology, which will expand upon in far greater detail the basic topics covered in Biology I and II. Students will gain knowledge through inquiry-based research projects as well as intensive dissections.
Health Assisting Cooperative Education 11
Course # ha305 | Credits: 12
This semester-based course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle. Please note that juniors are eligible for Cooperative Education during third and fourth quarters only.
Health Assisting 12
Course # ha400 | Credits: 20
This full-year course will continue to build upon and refine students skills that they have acquired in previous grades. Students who have successfully passed the Certified Nursing Assistant Exam will be eligible to participate in the Cooperative Education program, working in the healthcare field during their career technology week. Students who do not participate in Cooperative Education will study a variety of healthcare and medical topics, including but not limited to: pharmacology, medication administration, introduction to EKG, introduction to phlebotomy, abnormal psychology, public health, and medical ethics. All grade 12 students will complete a research project and showcase their completed portfolio in the spring.
Health Assisting Theory 12
Course # ha401 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course will focus on the aging process. Emphasis is placed on anatomy & physiology and the physical changes associated with health problems which require professional care. Other topics include communication skills, ethics, and problem solving methods.
Health Assisting Cooperative Education 12
Course # ha405 | Credits: 24
This full-year course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle.