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Health Careers

Instructors - Tephanie Neill and Tiffany Berryhill

The Health Careers program at GCTC is designed to give students a healthy future by gaining skills to care for others in the fastest growing career field. HCC students will learn to become nursing assistants who provide auxillary services in the care and support of long term care residents and home health clients.

In the program, students will become certified in CPR, Medical Terminology, First Aid, and at the end of the year students will test to become a CNA.

Students begin their pre-nursing experience in the Health Careers I program. This one-year program completes the requisites needed for the Health Careers II program and certifies students to be Long-Term Care/Home Health Aides.

Upon completion of Health Careers I, students can choose a career major in the Health Careers II program as described below:

Electrocardiograph Technician – Electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG) technicians usually work under the supervision of physicians in hospitals, doctors' offices, or clinics. They operate electrocardiogram equipment to monitor the patient’s heart rhythm.  Students in this major complete the health care core curriculum, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology. They also learn how to connect electrodes to patients, monitor equipment output, record test results, and identify emergencies or abnormalities. Additionally students are provided the opportunity to use the theory in practical clinical experiences. <

Phlebotomist - Students in this career major learn how draw blood for donations, tests, transfusions, and research.  They learn the importance of ethics, timeliness, and the importance of following procedures. Students also complete the health care core curriculum, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology. An externship also is included as part of the coursework. A Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) certification is available.

Radiology Aide - Radiology aides assist radiologic technologist in obtaining diagnostic images.  Students in this major will learn about patient care, radiation safety, radiograph handling procedures and how to assist radiologic technologists. Students will also have an opportunity for clinical practice. In this Career Major, students complete the Health Careers Core Curriculum (Technology Center), Core Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology. Also, Core First Aid and Healthcare Provider CPR is included in this career major.

Veterinary Assistant - In this Career Major, students complete the Health Careers Core Curriculum (Technology Center), Core Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology, Core First Aid and Healthcare Provider CPR. Veterinary Assistants feed and bathe animals, administer medication as prescribed by the Veterinarian and assist the Veterinary team with animal nursing techniques.  Students learn how to do basic office procedures and how to provide large and small animal care including how to perform diagnostic procedures. Students practice in a variety of settings as chosen by the instructor. Upon completion of this course, students have experiences and skills necessary to become employed in a veterinary clinic or hospital.

Advanced Acute Care Nursing Assistant (Pre-Nursing) - The Health Careers Core Curriculum (Technology Center), Medical Terminology and Anatomy And Physiology are included in this major.  Students in this career major complete a long-term care career major and the first two courses of the Licensed Practical Nurse career major.  . The advanced acute care nursing assistant cares for patients with routine healthcare needs, bedside care, and basic nursing procedures. Students must pass the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s certification exam for long term care assistants to work in most facilities as nursing assistants.<

Advanced Unlicensed Assistant - Students in this career major will learn the functions of an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant, which includes performing more advanced functions in an assistive role with a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse in acute care facilities.  They will complete a long-term care course and then proceed into the advanced curriculum and learn how to perform sterile specimen collection, urinary catheterization, and feeding per gastrointestinal tube. Advanced Unlicensed Assistant (AUA) certification must be obtained from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.

Certified Medication Aide - Students must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED and already be a certified in long term care nursing assistant through the Oklahoma Department of Health. Students must have six months of experience to qualify for certified medication aide certification. Students in this career major will learn how to properly administer medication to patients orally, topically, vaginally, rectally, transdermally, and by ear, nose, eye.  They will also learn about ethics in this profession, recognition of improper medication, and how to properly document the medication given.  Students will also complete a special course on insulin administration.  Basic Medical Assistant – Students in this major will learn the role of the basic medical assistant. They will learn a brief history of medicine, the characteristics needed to be a medical assistant, how to take patient history, do basic patient assessment, assist in minor office procedures, practice good ethical behavior, communication skills, phlebotomy, and other basic skills related to assisting in a medical office. Additionally students are provided the opportunity to use the theory in practical clinical experiences.  In this Career Major, Core Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology are taught.Dental Assistant - Students in this major will learn how to perform patient care, front office and laboratory duties. They will practice infection control, use dental materials, perform dental charting and chairside functions. The major includes clinicals in a professional office. Core First Aid and Healthcare Provider CPR is included in this career major. This career major is for students who have an accredited Dental Assistant career major option available on their campus.

Pharmacy Technician - After completion of the Health Careers Core Curriculum (Technology Center) core students in this major learn the state and federal laws concerning controlled substances, classification of drugs, and pharmaceutical math.  Medical and pharmaceutical terminology will also be covered including how to properly pronounce drug names. Students will also learn the customer service and employability skills necessary to succeed in a retail pharmacy. There will also be an internship, or simulation, component of this major. It is recommended that students obtain their pharmacy technician certification.

Students in Health Careers belong to HOSA.