Special to Pataskala Standard

USA TODAY NETWORK

Licking Heights High School is setting students on a path to success with its innovative health care education programs. Thanks to a partnership with the Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County, juniors and seniors can now earn Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) and Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician credentials, equipping them with skills to jumpstart their careers in health care.

The programs mirror opportunities available at C-TEC, providing students access to career tech education without having to travel to the C-TEC campus every day. Students complete both classroom lessons and hands-on clinicals with patients and residents at local care centers like Tuscany Gardens in Pataskala.

While the CNA program has existed at Heights for four years, the EKG program was just introduced this year. Five students — Ylacia Fana, Kamal Dulal, Adna Husen, Hafsa Said and Mariama Mboob — were the first students to complete the program.

Teacher Crystal Conaway serves as the lead teacher in the program, working closely with students in both the classroom and during their clinical placements as a teacher and mentor.

“The health care industry desperately needs workers, and the cost of postsecondary education is high,” Conaway said. “By offering these credentials in-house, we’re giving students a head start on their career and saving them money.”

To earn an EKG Technician credential, students complete a curriculum provided by the National Healthcare Association, which includes computer-based learning, practice tests and hands-on training. Each student must perform 10 EKGs on live patients and pass a credential exam. Students at the high school volunteered to serve as test patients for the EKG program. CNA students undergo a similarly rigorous process, gaining practical experience through clinical care with real patients.

Students are seizing this opportunity to explore their passions and lay the groundwork for future careers — from directly entering the workforce to pursuing higher education and additional health care credentials.

“I pursued the EKG certification as a stepping stone toward my nursing degree, which is the first step in my long-term goal of becoming a nurse practitioner and eventually opening my own clinic,” Said said. “Earning this certification makes me feel accomplished and more confident in my ability to move forward in my health care career.”

Others find the program a valuable introduction to the medical field and an excellent way to determine future career options.

“Before I started these classes, I didn’t really have any particular career interests,” Fana said. “The CNA and EKG programs gave me a taste for nursing to see if I’d like it. I liked the clinicals too because they give you hands-on experience and teach you the compassion needed for the medical field.”

Many graduates of the program have gone on to work at local facilities like Tuscany Gardens, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Licking Memorial Hospital. The credentials also serve as stackable qualifications, enabling students to pursue further education in fields like nursing or phlebotomy.

“The CNA and EKG program made me interested in my future career,” said Husen. “It’s a great option if you want to work in the medical field or if you’re still figuring out where you fit in.”

Since its introduction to the Heights curriculum, the program has seen remarkable growth. In its fourth year, enrollment has expanded from just 10 students to 32 participants. Looking ahead, Conaway hopes to expand the offerings further, aligning them with additional credentials available at C-TEC.

For Conaway, the highlight of her work is the students. “I love seeing them come in, excited but nervous. Then we go to clinicals, and they’re literally taking care of real people — it all comes together.”

Programs like these not only provide a pathway into the workforce but also inspire personal growth.

“I liked creating new bonds with people through my CNA coursework. It helped me with my communication skills, working on a team, and interpersonal relationships,” said Mboob. “I’ve learned a lot nursing-wise and in general in this class.”

Information submitted by Licking Heights Local Schools.