Program Description

The Health Occupations/Early Education department prepares students to enter the workplace in either health care or early childhood education.

Health Occupations students may earn the following certifications:

- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- First Aid
- Basic Electrocardiogram
- Home Care Aide

Early Education students may earn the following certifications:

- Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care preschool teacher certification
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- First Aid

Among the topics covered in the Health Occupations program are Basic Nursing, Business, Values, Office Management, Foods and Nutrition, Human Growth and Development, and Health Issues. Grade 11 students are eligible to meet the Massachusetts Department of Public Health requirements for Nursing Assistant Certification by participating in an externship program at a long-term care facility.

Early Education students study child development theory and teaching methods which they use as student teachers in the school’s Early Education Center. Courses include Advanced Child Development, Teaching Methods, and Business Principles and Practices in Early Education. After meeting the requirements set by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Blue Hills, students may be recommended for preschool teacher certification.

• U.S. Department of Labor Statistics
• Nursing aides held approximately 1.5 million jobs in 2004.
• Child care workers held approximately 1.3 million jobs in 2004.
• (Employment facts from the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/OCO)

Program Placement
Students have worked at Canton Community Preschool, Mulberry Childcare Center and Preschool, Yorkbrook Christian Preschool, Curry College Childcare Center, Sunrise Assisted Living, Caritas Carney Hospital, Caritas Norwood Hospital, New England Sinai Hospital, The Atrium at Faxon Woods, Hellenic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Ellis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Veteran’s Administration Boston Health Care System.