Health Occupations I
Course Description
Like all the programs at KACC, the Health Occupations program is designed specifically as a two-year program. While Seniors may enroll in Health Occupations I, it is most beneficial to begin as a Junior, especially considering students who complete Health Occupations I will be eligible to take the Illinois CNA Test to become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) prior to beginning their second year.
College nursing programs often require entry level students to obtain their CNA as a prerequisite. KACC students who successfully complete the program are way ahead of the game, not only for collegiate nursing programs, but for most other programs in the healthcare industry.
The Health Occupations program at KACC is taught by Registered Nurses (RN’s) who are certified to teach the CNA program through the Illinois Department of Public Health. This program prepares students for their continued education at local community colleges in the following healthcare fields:
| LPN | Radiology | Respiratory Therapy |
| RN | EMT-Basic | Occupational Therapy |
| Medical Technologist | Physical Therapy | Pre-Med |
The CNA program at KACC is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health. After successful completion, the student is eligible to take the Illinois CNA Test to become certified as a nurse assistant. In the CNA program, students learn basic nursing skills such as vital signs, nutrition, rehabilitation and personal care of patients.
KACC's Health Occupation programs prepare the student for the programs of: LPN, RN, Medical Technician, Radiology, EMT-Basic, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, and Occupational Therapy at both the community college level and four-year, Pre-med and nursing programs at the university level.
DUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
- Following successful completion of Health Occupations I, students earn 8 Semester Credit Hours for Course PNUR1438: Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.) at Kankakee Community College; or, for Peotone students, Course NA101: Certified Nursing Assistant Training at Joliet Jr. College.
REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED TOOLS AND SUPPLIES:
Health Occupations I:
- Watch (must have second hand)
- White uniform pants and navy scrub top
- White shoes for clinical
- Name pin purchased through KACC
- Pens
- Pocket notebook.
- A Hepatitis B vaccine (recommended, but not mandatory) at student's expense
- A two-step TB test is required. The TB Test is a responsibility of the student. This test must be done prior to the beginning of the school year and can be done through the Kankakee County Health Department or your personal physician. Students are to bring their results of the test to their instructors when they begin class
- Fingerprint Background Check – will be done at KACC at the beginning of the school year. This is a requirement of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
- Drug Screen may be a requirement of the medical facilities in which clinical hours are earned.
Additional Costs:
- After successful completion of State requirements, students will have a CNA State Test (Estimated Fee based on 2011 was $64.00)
- Class Fee of $75 is due and payable to Kankakee Area Career Center within the first week of school. This covers the cost of CPR card, Fingerprint Background Check, Picture ID Badge and Mosby's Nurse Assistant Workbook.
