Career Pathways in Healthcare

Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. Some explain their work to patients and provide assistance when patients have adverse reactions after their blood is drawn.

More information: Greenfield Community College; Springfield Technical Community College, Westfield State College

Nurse Aide/ESOL

Holyoke Works and Holyoke Community College are offering classes for non-native speakers of English to improve language and math skills, and prepare to pass the MA Nurse Aide Certification Test and enter employment as a nurse aide or home health aide at no cost.

Snap Path To Work

Snap Path To Work Options at Holyoke Community College
Individuals receiving non-cash SNAP benefits through the MA Department of Transitional Assistance are eligible to apply. Programs are free and include advising & employment support services.

More information at Holyoke Community College

Certified Nurse Aide and CPR Certificate Program

This training program will provide you with entry-level job skills that will allow you to enter the health care field and prepare for the state board examination to become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) and receive your certification in CPR.

More information at Workforce Development Center at STCC, CNA 1, CNA 11

Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Technicians usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles.

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Holyoke Community College has a program to help nurses from Puerto Rico and outside the United States to receive guided support in studying for the IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) examination, one of the English language proficiency tests that qualify foreign-licensed nurses to sit for the NCLEX Nursing exam.

More information: Program Flyer;Press Coverage

A personal trainer are certified to have a varying degree of knowledge of general fitness involved in exercise.  They develop personal fitness short-term and long-term goals for their clients, while motivating and holding their clients accountable.

Learn More: Springfield Technical Community College 

Emergency Medical Technicians respond to 911 calls for emergency medical assistance and assess a patient’s condition and determine a course of treatment.  They sometimes Provide first-aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured patients and Transport patients safely in an ambulance

Learn More: Holyoke Community College, Greenfield Community College and Springfield Technical Community College 

To ensure that they receive quality patient care, medical interpreters and translators facilitate communication between patients who do not speak English as a first language and their doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers.Medical interpreters are not only bilingual, but also have a strong knowledge of medical terminology as well as Cultural Competence.

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A community health worker promotes full and equal access to health and social services in the community he or she serves, and helps healthcare organizations implement programs to promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health.

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Home health aides help people with their daily living activities in the person’s own home, or sometimes in a residential facility.

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CNAs help patients perform the basic day-to-day tasks, especially personal care tasks.  The majority of job opportunities for nursing assistants are working with the elderly.

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A patient care technician is mainly focused on working closely with patients, in conjunction with nurses. PCTs, sometimes referred to as nursing assistants, help perform basic care for patients, such as assisting them in using the restroom, serving meals or changing bedding. They may also monitor vital signs and provide emotional support to patients and families. PCTs work in the hospital setting.

Career Pathway Story: Patient Care Associate to Doctor of Nursing Practice

Learn More: Springfield Technical Community College

Paramedics care for the sick or injured in emergency medical settings. People’s lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care provided by these workers. Paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities.

Greenfield Community College’s Paramedic program prepares Emergency Medical Technicians for Massachusetts and National Registry Certification as Paramedics. It covers all aspects of advanced life support care and prepares its graduates to function as Paramedics in a variety of settings. The 17-24 month program meets two evenings per week plus an average of two Saturdays a month for 11 months, followed by 6-9 months of continued clinical and field internship experiences. Learn More at Greenfield Community College.

Provides training for entry-level employment in addictions treatment, and provides educational and practicum requirements to be eligible to sit for the licensing exam for LADC II (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor II) in Massachusetts.

Learn more at Greenfield Community College

Medical office administrators are also called medical or administrative assistants. Medical office administrators complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice.

Learn More: Greenfield Community College, Springfield Technical Community College 

Surgical technologists work as part of a surgical team in the operating room, assisting surgeons, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel. Surgical technologists also interact with patients, preparing them for surgery or assisting them after surgery.

Sterile processing technicians serve as the behind-the-scenes backbone of the operating room, sterilizing surgical equipment and assembling surgical tools and supplies.

Career Pathway Story: Surgical Technician to Nurse Manager 

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Medical billing clerks are responsible for compiling and maintaining records of charges for goods and services rendered at any health care facility and preparing invoices.

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Medical coders manage patient health information and use electronic medical records (EMR) systems technology to input, store, update, and retrieve information.

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Dental assistants help prepare patients and equipment. They also work alongside a dentist and/or dental hygienist as he or she examines and treats patients.

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LPNs provide a wide range of basic medical care under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors. They often work directly with CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants).

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Medical assistants help doctors, nurses and other medical professionals with both administrative and clinical tasks, most often in a physician’s office.

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