A student who has completed the Job Corps Health Occupations program is equipped with the skills to contribute to the workplace as a valued employee from day one. Competence in academic and vocational skills is required for graduation. In addition, Job Corps students learn employability and technological skills. To complete his or her Health Occupations training, a student must master skills in these categories:

ORIENTATION TO HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
Identify specialty areas within health occupations; describe the functions of a health care team; identify the roles and responsibilities of members of a health care team.

COMMUNICATION AND OBSERVATION SKILLS
Communicate in an understandable and timely manner; effectively communicate with non-English speaking customers/patients (i.e., deaf, illiterate, cognitively impaired); understand basic charting requirements; demonstrate professional telephone use.

SAFETY
Understand standard precautions as described in the rules and regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); understand increased occupational hazards associated with HIV/AIDS and HBV/Hepatitis B and C; know general rules of a health care facility; know the code system for major emergencies; prepare an accident/injury report; become familiar with hazardous materials.

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Spell common medical terms; know basic word structure of medical terms; know medical prefixes, suffixes, abbreviations, signs and symbols.

MAINTAIN INFECTION CONTROL
Identify proper hygiene techniques; demonstrate use of gown, mask and gloves; identify universal and OSHA precautions for spreading disease; understand growth and control of microorganisms; demonstrate medical aseptic techniques, such as hand-washing and isolation procedures; understand disinfectant techniques; understand prevention and control of communicable diseases.

BASIC ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Describe the following basic body systems: integumentary, digestive, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, sensory, endocrine, urinary and reproductive.

CORE PROCEDURES FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS
Measure and record vital signs, such as temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure; demonstrate the proper procedure for customer/patient transfers; care for a falling customer/patient.

ETHICS AND CONFIDENTIALITY
Explain the Patient's Bill of Rights; explain confidentiality pertaining to customer/patient information, HIV status and computer information; understand potential malpractice and liability issues.

UPON COMPLETION OF THE OUTLINED FOUNDATION COURSES, STUDENTS MAY SPECIALIZE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Dental Assistant
Nurse Assistant
Licensed Practical Nurse
Pharmacy Technician

AVAILABILITY OF SPECIALIZATIONS VARIES AMONG CENTERS.

Accessibility Statement

All photos provided by courtesy of Job Corps center operators under contract to the US Department of Labor.