Crystal River High School

One Crew. One Ship. One Voyage. #PirateSuccess

The Academy of Health Careers Nursing Assisting program offers courses designed to prepare students for employment as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in nursing homes, hospitals, or other healthcare facilities. 

This program provides the opportunity for high school students to earn certification in their junior year, and begin working professionally as a CNA before even leaving high school. This unique opportunity both provides a fast-track to a career after high school as a CNA and a leg-up to those students seeking further education in nursing, such as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner.


**Students are required to participate in clinical internships as part of this program during their junior year. Students must provide their own transportation to and from their clinical sites during the entirety of their clinical internship.**

This course in compliance with, and approved by, The Florida Board of Nursing Board of Health.

These courses are: 

9th grade: Medical Skills and Services 
Course # 8400320 
1 credit 

This course is designed to give students an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills related to the area of Health Science career clusters. The content includes but is not limited to practical generic skills in health occupations. Instruction and learning activities are provided in a laboratory setting using hands on experience with the equipment, materials, and technology appropriate to healthcare careers.

10th grade: Health Science 1 Anatomy & Physiology 
Course # 8417100 
1 credit 

This course is part of the secondary Health Core consisting of an overview of the human body, both structurally and functionally with emphasis on the pathophysiology and transmission of disease. Medical terminology is an integral part of the course. This course is required for the Dental, EMR and Nursing pathways within the Health Academy curriculum.

11th grade: Health Science 2: Foundations 
Course # 8417110 
1 credit
Prerequisite: Health Science Anatomy & Physiology 

This course is part of the secondary Health Core designed to provide the student with an in depth knowledge of the healthcare system and associated occupations. Emphasis is placed on communication and interpersonal skills, use of technology, ethics and development of critical thinking skills. Students will job shadow various professionals in the healthcare facility throughout the course. 

Transportation and PPD (skin test for Tuberculosis) required. A negative PPD report is required and may be obtained from the student’s healthcare provider or the Health Department. 
Forms may be obtained from the Health Science 2 Instructor.

11th Grade: Nursing Assisting 3
Course # 8417211
1 credit
Prerequisites: Health Science Anatomy & Physiology & Health Science Foundations

This course is designed to prepare students for employment as Nursing Assistants in Nursing Homes, Hospitals, or other healthcare facilities. The content includes but is not limited to interpersonal skills, medical terminology, safe efficient work, gerontology, nutrition, health and safety including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and employability skills. The Florida Board of Nursing Board of Health approves this course. The clinical component consists of no less than 40 hours in the healthcare setting with 20 hours of clinical experience mandated at a licensed nursing home. Students enrolled in this course are to perform hands on skills in the clinical setting which include but are not limited to bathing, oral care, personal hygiene, feeding, transfers, toileting, vital signs and in some circumstances, post-mortem care and CPR.

**Special note - Students enrolled in this course are required to be finger printed and undergo a level 2 FBI background check. Fingerprints must be done at the facility designated by Prometric, the testing company for the state. 

**Students are required to participate in clinical internships as part of this program during their junior year. Students must provide their own transportation to and from their clinical sites during the entirety of their clinical internship.**

Students will participate in hands-on training during their clinical internship part of this course sequence. Students will work in local nursing home facilities with real patients, performing professional skills and tasks that a certified CNA would perform (under supervision). While students are supervised, please be aware that they will be working in a professional setting with real patients, with real medical concerns; It is important that students (and families) understand this aspect of the program and the unpredictability of what students may experience during their internship. This is a required part of both the course and for state certification.