Healthcare Pathways?

The Healthcare Industry employs over 600,000 Pennsylvanians and is the largest private employer in Cumberland County.  Employment is projected to increase 15% by 2026 and there is a tremendous need for skilled workers to fill the current and future skills gap.  The Healthcare Pathways Program at Cumberland Perry Area CTC  prepares students with the theoretical knowledge and tangible skills needed for a variety of  different pathways within the Healthcare Industry, including employment and post-secondary education opportunities. 

After a core curriculum that includes an Introduction to Healthcare, Patient Care Skills, Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Terminology, students will have the ability to select options within the program that best fit their future career goals, including the potential attainment of stackable  credentials and college credits.  Elective options include Phlebotomy, EKG, and Pharmacy Technician courses, Cooperative Education, and seniors may apply for the Emerging Health Professionals program.

Is it for You?

Students interested in the Healthcare Pathways program should enjoy engaging directly and personally with others; reading, science, and mathematics; and working in a challenging and continuously-changing field. Health and Medical Assistants may work alone or as members of a team under the direct supervision of a nurse, physician, or other health professionals. They usually work indoors in well lighted, well ventilated, and sanitary surroundings. The standard workweek for nursing varies greatly dependent upon the office or institution in which you work; since health care must be provided twenty-four hours a day, work schedules may include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Professionals in this field possess the following qualities:

• Good general health

• Good personal hygiene

• The ability to get along with others/self control

• Good manual dexterity

• Good communication skills

• Good attendance

• Strong reading, science and math skills

• Good problem solving skills

• Good adaptability to change

• Ability to receive and follow through on instructions

• A strong sense of commitment, integrity, and empathy

What's Next?  Potential Career Pathways

While there are positions in this field that require additional education, students can also go straight to work after graduation! Here are just some of the career opportunities available:

Nursing Assistants ($31,590)

Physical Therapists' Assistants ($44,050)

Home Health Aides ($25,810)

Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians ($50,920)

Phlebotomist ($34,830)

Registered Nurse ($73,300)

…and many more

*Salaries listed are PA state averages taken from www.onetonline.com and are accurate as of 2020. Some careers may require additional study.

Post-Secondary Studies

Students who do want to continue their education in this field have a variety of institutions and majors to choose from. Here is just a sampling:

 HACC: Medical Assisting, Medical Laboratory Technician, Nursing

Penn College: Nursing, Health Information Technology, Emergency Medical Technician

YTI: Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant, Health Information Technology

*Some careers may require additional study.

Whether it's right to work or off to college, students graduating from the Nursing program at CPACTC can be assured that they have opportunities unlimited!