Applied Health I will prepare students for the State of Maine Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam offered in May.  Applied health is an academically rigorous and physically demanding program that emphasizes teamwork.  This program is designed to acquaint the student with the health field.  A basic understanding of body structure and function, medical terminology, and human growth and development is acquired.  Principles of safety and emergency care will be taught, and it is possible to earn an American Heart Association First Aid CPR/AED certification.  Interpersonal relationships and career goals are stressed, diseases and methods of diagnosis and treatment are observed and discussed.  Students practice their skills at a clinical site (area hospital or nursing home) during the second semester.  The Nursing Assistant course is the primary focus of the Health Occupations I program.  This program includes instruction in nursing assistant skills that are developed in the classroom, then practiced in a supervised clinical site.  Upon successful completion of the program and passing of the State of Maine exam, students will receive Maine State Certification as a Nurse Assistant and will be able to work in a nursing home or hospital, ensuring the students excellent employment opportunities at a good rate of pay.

Applied Health II primarily follows the curriculum of the NUR101 course and NUR201 NUR 202 lab through the University of Maine at Fort Kent, thus allowing students to earn 4 credits via articulation or dual enrollment. Medical Terminology is another college course designed as an introduction to medical terminology using a body systems approach. The student will develop a basic understanding of medical language by analyzing prefixes, suffixes, root words and combining forms as they relate to the different body systems and the basic cellular structure allowing students to earn 3 credits through Southern Maine Community College. The Personal Support Specialist (PSS) is another facet of the program. This course is designed for unlicensed, entry-level workers. Successful completion of this course satisfies the requirements in the State of Maine to provide direct care for individuals living in a residential care facility, home health, adult daycare, and other clinical setting. Applied Health II course also encompasses a variety of specialized curricula in the field of physical therapy, dentistry, radiology, medical office practice, E.M.T., and more. The program contains modular segments, allowing students to individualize their career focus.

Students in the Applied Health program may choose to participate in the HOSA student organization and match up your skills and knowledge with peers in the SkillsUSA organization.