The Medical Professions pathway allows for intense exploration of careers in the medical field while connecting students with medical professionals and healthcare settings. Students learn fundamental skills and knowledge to start now on a path to a career in the medical field.

In the first two levels of the pathway, students will learn fundamental skills like medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical ethics, and basic skills like taking blood pressure and pulse rate. Students will network with health professionals from local medical facilities and allied health programs and develop professional skills that will give them a competitive advantage.  Students will explore the many careers in the medical field and identify areas that most interest them.

In Level 3, students decide a focus area that best fits them:

1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

2. Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA)

Students earn certifications that will allow them to go straight to work or set them on a path to further education and training: CPR, First Aid/AED, Phlebotomy, EKG, CNA, CCMA, and many other certifications.

Level 1:  FALL:  Foundations of Health Care [1 credit]   SPRING: Medical Professions [0.5 credit] and Medical Procedures [0.5 credit]  

Level 2:  FALL: Medical Math [1 credit]   SPRING: Medical Terminology  [1 credit]   

Level 3:  Select ONE Focus Area:

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA):   FALL:  Certified Nursing Assistant [1 credit]; SPRING: Medical Lab [1 credit]

  • CNAs work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health care--any medical facilities that offers basic care. CNA is often a first step to other medical careers, such as LPN, RN, Physician's Assistant (PA), and therapists.  

  • This Nurse Assistant Preparation Course is state-certified and will prepare students for future medical occupations, as well as, eligibility to be a certified nurse assistant upon completion. Students practice skills that relate to patient care such as vital signs, baths, transfer of patients, as well as, 16 hours of internship with a long-term care facility. Students gain certifications in AR Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) and First Aid.

  • Metro is a certified testing center for the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) exam. Students who successfully complete the Nurse Assistant Program with the state-required 90 hrs will be eligible to take the state certification exam to receive their certificate as a Certified Nurse Assistant.

  • Once students begin the course, they are required to wear uniforms (scrubs), get a background check, and complete a TB skin test. 

    
    

• Certified Medical Assistant CCMA:   FALL Medical I [1 credit]; SPRING: Medical II [1 credit]

  • This course prepares students to certify as a Certified Medical Assistant. The course introduces a multitude of medical world experiences, introducing careers such as Health Administration, Informatics, Clinical Specialties - Dental, Optometry, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Billing and Coding, Phlebotomy, and EKG to name a few.  

  • Clinical Medical Assistants(CCMA)- perform both clinical and administrative tasks, which include vital signs,  collecting specimens and samples, patient history, and preparing patients for exam and treatment.  They typically work in a medical office or clinic, urgent care centers, specialty clinics, or settings.  Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to intern, volunteer, and/or shadow in various medical facilities.  Students will earn certifications from UAMS Translational Research Institute, AHA BLS Heartsaver CPR/First Aid/AED, NHA Phlebotomy, Career Preparedness, and Business Office Technology Certifications.   

• Follow the link to explore the Medical Professions interactive slide: hover mouse, and when the pointer turns to a hand, click to follow links to watch more.