2021 News & Communications
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New CNA Class at Atwater High
Students enrolled in Atwater High's Medical Technology pathway now have the opportunity to earn their CNA license by the time they graduate high school thanks to a new class offered at the site.
The class began its first semester this January and is taught by Ms. Mehat, who also teaches the CNA course at Merced College. Students receive six units of college credit during the semester that consists of lectures at AHS and clinical time on Saturdays at healthcare facilities in Atwater and Merced.
Mehat says she created the CNA class while looking for ways to grow the Atwater High Med Tech program that fit the busy schedules of her students.
“With sports and other activities after school, it’s really hard for students here in Atwater to travel to Merced to take the course at the college,” said Ms. Mehat. “So I thought that if there was a way to teach the theory portion here and have them get their clinical hours on Saturdays, that could work out.”
It took a lot of legwork over last summer to get her idea off the ground. Luckily, the school and district administration as well as the local healthcare community were open to the partnership.
“It was tough because I had to do a lot of networking and calling people while on their summer break,” said Ms. Mehat. “But I was determined and I’m glad I was able to convince them that these students are capable of doing the work and doing it well.”
Ms. Mehat knows what an amazing opportunity this class is for students who plan work in the healthcare industry. She says that it’s not a course that’s commonly found in high schools.
“There are high school students in Merced County who take the course, but at Merced College,” said Ms. Mehat. “So the fact that we are teaching theory here at Atwater High is unbelievable.”
Once the course is complete and the final is taken, the students can then take the skills and written exams approved by the American Red Cross. Once those are passed, the student will receive their CNA license.
The advantageous position that will put her students in is not lost on Ms. Mehat.
“I mean, it’s a license that they realistically can have before graduating high school, which will allow them to work at a hospital, a long term care facility or psyche center,” said Ms. Mehat. “I am so excited and I can’t wait to hear back from students who go through the program to see where they end up.”
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