Academics

At South Texas ISD Medical Professions, students develop medical and clinical skills in area hospitals and doctor's offices. Many students earn certifications as clinical medical assistants, emergency medical technicians, patient care technicians, pharmacy technicians, phlebotomy technicians, medical lab assistants, certified ophthalmic assistants, and as registered dental assistants.

Course Sequence: 2021-2022

Healthcare Diagnostics

Health Prof Skills Medical Terminology
Anatomy & Physiology Pathophysiology

HS Theory/HS Clinical:
Acute Care, Long-Term Care, Medical Offices, Rehabilitation Centers, Specialty Medical Offices
Practicum in Health Science

Certifications:

EKG/ECG Technician
Medical Laboratory Technician
Phlebotomy Technician
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
Emergency Medical Technician-Basic

Apply for Admission

Applications for admission must be submitted via the online Schoolmint application.

Apply for Admission

Health Science Certification Programs (11)

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

Medical Professions is proud to offer the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled allied health care professional that specializes in procedures commonly performed in the ambulatory health care setting. With completion of this program and 120 hours of clinical internship, you will be given the opportunity to sit for the certification exam.

Certification Process

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is an entry-level certification that teaches students in 6 specific content areas including topics such as

Foundation Knowledge and Basic Science
Anatomy and Physiology
Clinical Patient Care
Patient Care Coordination and Education
Administrative Assisting
Communication and Customer Service
Medical Law & Ethics

Students gain certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Job Description

Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties and assist a variety of providers including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Duties

Checking patients in and out upon arrival and departure
Answering phone calls and questions
Assisting providers with exams and procedures
Administering injections or medications
Working in the electronic health record (EHR)
Performing EKG, phlebotomy, and laboratory procedures
Taking patient vital signs

Benefits

Employment of CCMAs expected grow 23% from 2014 to 2024
Having a nationally accredited certification, like the CCMA, can help you stand out
Many organizations are now offering career laddering opportunities for medical assistants with elevated responsibilities and pay
Elevated roles may include those of a scribe, health coach, patient navigator, population health manager and patient care coordinator.

Certified EKG Technician

Medical Professions is proud to offer the Certified Electrocardiogram Technician Course. As an EKG Technician you will have the credentials and training to perform EKG’s, Holter monitors, and assist the physician during a stress test.

Certification Process

The Certified Electrocardiogram Technician is a 4-6 week course. Students must pass the exam with a 78% and complete a total of 10 live EKG’s. The course teaches students in 3 specific content areas including topics such as:

Safety Compliance and Coordinated Patient Care
EKG Acquisition
EKG Analysis and Interpretation

Students gain certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Job Description

By administering EKGs — testing the electrical activity of the heart through small electrode patches attached to the body — you’ll be making a life-changing difference by helping people of all ages prevent and treat heart disease.

Duties

Set up and administer EKGs (electrocardiograms) and stress tests
Prepare patients for Holter or ambulatory monitoring
Edit and deliver final test results to physicians for analysis
Schedule appointments
Transcribe physicians’ interpretations

Benefits

need for qualified EKG technicians continues to rise
earning your CET will help you launch a successful and meaningful career that can help make a difference in countless lives
opportunities in this profession are flexible and in high demand
added skills of Holter monitoring and stress tests required for the Certified EKG Technician (CET) will help you to be even more competitive

Certified Emergency Medical Technician

Medical Professions offers an Emergency Medical Science Course. Communities across the Unites States are experiencing a shortage of qualified EMS professionals so now is the best time to get started on your career in the healthcare field.

An In-Demand Occupation

The EMT-Basic training leads to a career with a healthy overall employment outlook. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states, “that the number of all occupations will grow at an average rate of 11 percent between 2012 and 2022. By comparisons, the number of EMT’s working in the U.S. is expected to grow at a rate of 23 percent over the same period, creating an additional 55,300 jobs. The BLS predicts a greater need for EMTs because the elderly population of the us is growing”. https://work.chron.com/career-can-emtb-certification-29859.html

Examples of Jobs

Firefighter / EMT
Transition to Paramedic
Emergency Department Technician
Minor Emergency Technician
Military advantage / Combat Medic
Police / Law Enforcement / S.W.A.T
High Angle and Swifter Water Rescue

Certification

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)
In order to receive your certification, the EMT applicants must first receive a course completion certification from Medical Professions and then pass the NREMT exam consisting of two parts; a computer based cognitive exam and a psychomotor exam.

Responsibilities of the EMT

Assessing the medical needs of the sick or injured.
Be able to take accurate vital signs.
Be able to communicate effectively and efficiently.
Be able to identify life threats and correct them.
Be a patient advocate.
Be able to work under extreme stress.

Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant

Medical Professions is proud to offer the Medical Laboratory Assistant Program and Certified Phlebotomy Technician Program. Students have learned the venipuncture techniques, clinical practical with documented evidence of attendance . The program must award 16.0 continuing education units or be offered as a course with at least 160 contact hours of lecture time excluding the phlebotomy practical. The training program must include at least 200 hours of practical experience either with mannequins or clinical practicum or a combination of both. The program elements must meet the NPA curriculum requirements.

Certification Process

The Certified Phlebotomy Technician program (CPT) and Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant program (CMLA) are certifications that teaches students in specific contents including topics such as:

The Clinical Laboratory
Hematology
Urinalysis
Clinical Chemistry
Safety/Infection Control
Venipuncture Equipment
Specimen Handling
Quality Phlebotomy

Students gain certification through the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA) and American Medical Technologist (AMT).

Job Description

Phlebotomists work in a variety of clinical settings to collect blood and other samples from patients. The job of a phlebotomist is one of the first steps on diagnosing a patient. A Medical Laboratory Assistant works closely with a technologist during lab testing and research. They perform basic laboratory techniques and equipment.

Duties

Correctly identifies the patient
Performs venipunctures
Follows safety protocols
Communicates effectively
Perform basic lab testing
Perform routine and specialized test
Prepare and stain slides for analysis
Plant microbiology specimens
Record testing information
Keep inventory and order lab supplies

Benefits

Having a nationally accredited certification, NPA, can help you move up in the career laddering medical field
Elevated roles may include Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical Technologist and Pathologist

Certified Patient Care Technician

Medical Professions is proud to offer the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant program. A Patient Care Technician/Assistant is skilled in a variety of hands-on medical procedures commonly used on a day to day basis in patient care and work side by side with other health care professionals. With completion of this program and 120 hours of clinical internship, you will be given the opportunity to sit for the certification exam.

Certification Process

The Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) is an entry level certification that teaches students in 6 specific content including topics such as:

Patient Care
Safety
Professional responsibilities
Infection Control
Phlebotomy
EKGs

Students gain certifications through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Job Description

As a Patient Care Technician your roles include assisting in examination and treatment of patients, measuring vital signs and monitoring health, collecting samples, recording information in patients' charts, and preparing treatment rooms for examination.

Providing basic patient care (bathing, feeding, catheter care) and accommodating the special needs of patients
Acquiring, distributing and administering patient care supplies
Preforming safety checks and ensuring cleanliness in patient rooms
Serve meals and feed patient
Monitor and recording vital signs/changes in patient health
Collecting laboratory specimens
Preforming EKG and phlebotomy procedures along with other clinical tasks
Providing emotional support to patients and families, particularly coping with grief and death
Assist the physician or nurse with therapies

Benefits

Employment of CPCT/A’s is expected to grow 17% from 2014 to 2024
Having a nationally accredited certification, like CPCT/A, can help you move up in the career laddering medical field
Elevated roles may include those of Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, Nurse Anesthetists, and Nurse Practitioner

Certified Pharmacy Technician

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is given by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. During this exam they are tested on 9 different domains

Medications 40%
Federal Requirements 12.50%
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance 26.25%
Order Entry and Processing 21.25%

This is a National Certification valid in all 50 states. Once the student gains certification they are registered with the State Board of Pharmacy.

Job Description

Certified Pharmacy Technicians work closely alongside the Pharmacist to help prepare and distribute prescription medications. A pharmacy technician can choose to work in a community pharmacy setting or hospital setting.

Duties

Screen prescription orders for accuracy and completeness
Prepare prescriptions; retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure, and sometimes mix the medications
Perform calculations
Prepare medicines used to treat cancer
Perform medication reconciliation
Assist in the management of investigational drug studies
Use technology to help maintain accurate patient record, prepare, and package medications, and place orders.

Pharmacy Technicians are currently in very high demand. As pharmacies expand patient care services, the role of and need for pharmacy technicians will also expand. With the appropriate amount of training and experience, pharmacy technicians make be promoted to supervisory roles.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician

Medical Professions is proud to offer the Certified Phlebotomy Technician Program and Medical Laboratory Assistant Program. Students have learned the venipuncture techniques, clinical practical with documented evidence of attendance . The program must award 16.0 continuing education units or be offered as a course with at least 160 contact hours of lecture time excluding the phlebotomy practical. The training program must include at least 200 hours of practical experience either with mannequins or clinical practicum or a combination of both. The program elements must meet the NPA curriculum requirements.

Certification Process

The Certified Phlebotomy Technician program (CPT) and Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant program (CMLA) are certifications that teaches students in specific contents including topics such as:

The Clinical Laboratory
Hematology
Urinalysis
Clinical Chemistry
Safety/Infection Control
Venipuncture Equipment
Specimen Handling
Quality Phlebotomy

Students gain certification through the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA) and American Medical Technologist (AMT).

Job Description

Duties

Correctly identifies the patient
Performs venipunctures
Follows safety protocols
Communicates effectively
Perform basic lab testing
Perform routine and specialized test
Prepare and stain slides for analysis
Plant microbiology specimens
Record testing information
Keep inventory and order lab supplies

Benefits

Having a nationally accredited certification, NPA, can help you move up in the career laddering medical field
Elevated roles may include Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical Technologist and Pathologist

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

Medical Professions is proud to offer the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant program. This program is the ONLY program of its kind at the high school level and the only COA program south of San Antonio. With completion of this program, you will be given the opportunity to sit for the certification exam.

Certification Process

The Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) is an entry-level certification that teaches students in 19 specific content areas including topics such as:

Pupillary assessment
Contact lenses
Keratometry
Ophthalmic imaging
Refractometry
Visual assessment
Visual fields
Patient education

Students gain certification through the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).

Job Description

Certified Ophthalmic Assistants work closely with ophthalmologists, or eye doctors, and prepare patients for their eye exam. In many instances the COA will perform all preliminary testing and measurements for the doctor which will aid in patient diagnosis.

Duties

Gather medical records and patient information
Take ocular measurements
Administer or prepare medication
Provide eye care and contact lens information to patient
Maintain and clean ophthalmic equipment
Assist the ophthalmologist in basic procedures

Benefits

Work in a high-demand field
Work closely with other medical professionals
Help patients with diagnosis, treatment, and education
Be financially stable to support yourself during college
Be a part of an innovative program

Students gain certification through the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). COAs are in high demand due to the extreme shortage in eye-care professionals. Certified personnel make ophthalmic practices more productive.

National Entry-Level Dental Assistant

Medical Professions is excited to offer two dental certifications: Registered Dental Assistant and National Entry-Level Dental Assistant (NELDA). Currently, we are one of eight high schools in Texas approved for the NELDA exam. With completion of this program, you will be given the opportunity to sit for the Registered Dental Assistant exam and the National Entry-Level Dental Assistant Exam.

Certification Process

Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) is a state certification through the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. After successfully completing the1st semester, students will register for the on-line course and exam offered by the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio’s Dental Continuing Education department. The RDA allows students to be licensed as dental assistants in the state of Texas. The RDA course and exam teaches and assesses students in 3 specific content areas:

Dental Jurisprudence
Infection Control
Dental Radiology
Ophthalmic imaging

National Entry Level Dental Assistant is a national certification offered through the Dental Assisting National Board. After successfully completing the 1st semester and passing the RDA course and exam, students will challenge the national exam. The national exam certifies students as an entry-level dental assistant. The NELDA certification allows students to work in all 50 states.

Job Description

Dental Assistants serve as a “second pair of hands” for a dentist. Also, dental assistants work with office staff and dental hygienists assisting in day to day duties of a dental office.

Duties

Seating/dismissing patients
Recording medical/dental histories
Unit set up/disinfection
Exposing intra/extra oral radiographs
Packaging/Sterilizing instruments
Assisting dentist/hygienists during dental procedures
Patient education

Benefits

Work in a high-demand field
Work closely with other medical professionals
Help patients with diagnosis, treatment, and education
Be financially stable to support yourself during college
Be a part of an innovative program

Registered Dental Assistant

Certification Process

Dental Jurisprudence
Infection Control
Dental Radiology
Ophthalmic imaging

Job Description

Dental Assistants serve as a “second pair of hands” for a dentist. Also, dental assistants work with office staff and dental hygienists assisting in day to day duties of a dental office.

Duties

Seating/dismissing patients
Recording medical/dental histories
Unit set up/disinfection
Exposing intra/extra oral radiographs
Packaging/Sterilizing instruments
Assisting dentist/hygienists during dental procedures
Patient education

Benefits

Work in a high-demand field
Work closely with other medical professionals
Help patients with diagnosis, treatment, and education
Be financially stable to support yourself during college
Be a part of an innovative program

Nitrous Oxide Monitoring Certification

New to the list in the dental program is the Nitrous Oxide Certification- recognized by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners – which allows registered dental assistants to monitor patients receiving the sedation under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.

Medical Professions is the only high school in the state to offer three dental medical certifications: National Entry-Level Dental Assistant (NELDA), Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) and the Nitrous Oxide Certification.

In order for students to be eligible to sit for the exam, students must pass the first semester by 75 percent or higher, complete all labs and mock exams and pass the RDA certification exam.

Hear from dental program instructor and registered dental hygienist, Angela Villarreal, and seniors Rebecca De La Garza and Juan Castillo of Brownsville in featured video here.

Dental students practicing dental procedures