Waltham High School Gets New Vocational Program Certified

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham High School just got approval to have its Health Assisting Program certified as a vocational program, according to the district.

"This is an exciting first step toward implementing the education plan for the new Waltham High School, which will add five new vocational programs to our course offerings," the district said in a news release Tuesday.

Health Assisting is the 11th certified program to open at the school, which already has Chapter 74 certified programs in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, environmental science and technology, cosmetology, and programming and web development.

The district has been working to get certified for several years, working in coordination with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as the Department of Public Health.

By earning Ch.74 status for the health assisting program, students who successfully complete the program requirements, including clinical hours at one of our two partner facilities, will earn a CTE certificate upon graduation as well as be eligible to sit for the state Certified Nursing Assistant exam during their health assisting 2 course.

Upon passing their exam, students can be employed as CNAs at many different types of medical facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers and rehabilitation programs.

Students who choose to continue their education at one of the district's partner colleges or universities can utilize agreements that offer college course credit for work completed at the high school level, similar to AP courses.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how .