From the classroom to the medical field, SJHHS’s College and Career Advantage Program (CCA) is exposing high school students to the medical field through internship opportunities and hands-on experience.
The CCA program provides students with various opportunities to gain exposure and knowledge on different career pathways. They offer classes in mechanics, fashion, aviation, healthcare professions, and many more, all of which foster connections and future aspirations.
One popular class is the Medical Assisting course, where students gain hands-on experience in the classroom, and then have the opportunity for internships at healthcare offices, hospitals, medical facilities, or urgent cares where they apply the skills they attained in the classroom. Medical assistants are personnel that check patients in and prepare them for an assessment by the doctor. By the end of this class students can take a test to attain a medical assistant certificate which certifies them to work in entry-level clinical and administrative roles. Students will become skilled at giving injections, learn the basics of sutures, understand how to take vital signs, and much more. Then, they will apply the skills attained in the classroom to their internship.
Each medical assisting internship can look different. One SJHHS student, Madelyn Hui (11), works in an urgent care’s front office where she checks people in and out of the office, handles insurance, and ensures their copay is complete. Hui’s internship also has a back office where interns take vitals by measuring height, weight, taking blood pressure, blood sugar, and getting a patient’s chief complaint (explanation for why they are at urgent care).
“I think it’s a unique opportunity that can provide so many more experiences that you wouldn’t get in a classroom. It really solidified that the medical field is something that I would enjoy doing,” said Hui (11).
This CCA course can be taken within and beyond high school, making it an excellent way to kickstart your future as a high school student, or obtain a well paying job as an adult. However, you must be 17 years of age by the start of your internship in order to take the class. At Capistrano Valley High School there are multiple class options, some for teenagers and some for adults. Students from any high school in our school district can participate, and what makes this CCA program special is that it is completely free.
“Others oftentimes want to become a doctor, physician, or PA. And because you need hours for med school, this is the way to get clinical hours,” said Lucy Garibaldi, a senior taking the Medical Assisting Course.
Medical Assisting is an excellent addition to your college or career resume, and a great opportunity to complete mandatory clinical hours in college and experience in the healthcare field. Another student, Sadie Parsons (12) is currently enrolled in the class and has completed two other CCA medical classes: Medical Core and Surgical Tech.
“There’s a bunch of different pathways that you can complete like the veterinary pathway, but I completed the medical pathway,” said Sadie Parsons (12) on her experience with CCA classes.
She will be recognized at senior awards for her completion of CCA’s medical pathway. Parsons and her classmates enjoy Medical Assisting because it gives them a window into their future, helping them determine what medical field career to pursue. Garibaldi, also speaks highly of the program for teaching her skills beyond the classroom and in the real-world like giving injections and taking vital signs.
“I do really love that we’re not just learning about something. It’s very hands-on, and I feel like the course has really prepared us for whatever we’re gonna be pursuing after high school or beyond,” said Garibaldi (12).
If you are interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, the Medical Assisting class offered through CCA is the class for you. However, if you’re not interested in the medical field, and would like to learn about other classes, go to SJH’s website and insert “CCA” into the search bar. The website contains contact information and documents that list every available class, as well as details like class location, hours, and dates. Our school’s library also has an CCA corner, where you can talk to Mrs. Bell and Ms Luna about enrolling or to ask any questions you may have.
College Career Advantage classes can be beneficial to your future and your current high school experience. It is an excellent opportunity to grow in your skills as a person and student.
