June 14, 2018 -- Eight recent graduates who completed the Clinical Health Careers (CHC) course received their State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) certificates. The course is part of the Heights Career Technical Prep Consortium.

The students completed the two-year program in a double class period junior year and a three-period class their senior year that included classroom and clinical experience. The graduates who received the STNA certification are: Ariel Brown, Jasmine Carter, Clarissa Foxhall, Mariyah Reed, Christiana Sanders, Sierra Schecter, Iyanna Suber and Sydney Watson.

Clinical experiences for students take place at the McGregor at Overlook Nursing Home and Cleveland Heights MetroHealth Medical Center in Severance Circle.  

In May, seniors spent a week shadowing MetroHealth professionals in outpatient departments, including pediatrics, OB/GYN, family medicine, orthopedics, ophthalmology, internal medicine, physical therapy and the emergency department. Students observed a dilated eye exam, removal of skin warts, joint injections, and the application and removal of casts.    

“Our partnership with MetroHealth is so important to the program,” said Nancy Ballou, RN, CHC instructor. “Students get to observe procedures and talk to professionals in the field. Plus, the new MetroHealth location at Severance is so convenient.”

All of the students who earned the STNA will attend college, while working in their field. The students will attend Akron University, Kent State University, Tri-C, Hiram College and Notre Dame College. Their areas of study include nursing, social work and athletic training.

Some of the students have already obtained jobs in the medical field, including at a local hospital and a nursing home.