Welcome to 4C Academy! My name is Melissa Clark, Healthcare Science Instructor at the 4C Academy.

I have been a nurse for 22 years and taught at the collegiate level. Before coming to 4C Academy two years ago, I began my career in the Operating Room, where I became the Assistant Nurse Manager. The next step in my career was becoming the leader of an Outpatient Surgery Unit. I also served in the position of Clinical Educator for Surgical Services, where I trained new nurses, wrote and implemented new policies. I was the Chair of the LPN program at Albany Technical College for 5 years.

Welcome to 4C Academy! My name is Jessica Blanchard and I am one of the Healthcare Science Instructors here at the 4C Academy.

I have been a nurse for 17 years, working mostly in the Emergency Center and in the Jail Facility. In the Emergency Center, I was responsible for precepting the new graduate nurses that were hired into the unit, and that is where I fell in love with nursing. I began teaching in the Healthcare Science programs at Albany Technical College part-time while still working in the EC. I came to the 4C Academy full time in 2017 as one of the original Healthcare Science instructors, and I continue to teach at Albany Technical College as an adjunct instructor.

The Healthcare Science pathway utilizes standards from the CTAE clusters to create an inclusive pathway that prepares students for the Healthcare industry. Students in this pathway learn hands-on skills, therapeutic communication, and critical thinking skills to prepare them for the real world.

9th and 10th Grade

PATHWAY OVERVIEW

The Patient Care Services pathway is focused primarily on the changing health status of patients over time. Students in this pathway learn to work directly with patients and may provide care, treatment, counseling and health information. With the aging population and retiring workforce., the demand for health care workers will remain high for the foreseeable future. As roles of careers in the Therapeutic Services change, professionals in this pathway will find increased opportunities to work in hospitals, physician practices or independently.

Course 1: Intro to Healthcare

Course 2: Essentials of Healthcare

Course 3: Patient Care Fundamentals

REAL WORLD OPPORTUNITY

This pathway provides a foundation to pursue career opportunities in the medical field that include certified nurse assistant, medical assistant, licensed practice nurse, registered nurse, and advanced careers such as physician assistant and medical doctor.

11th and 12th Grade

Certified nursing assistant program (CNA)

Students who successfully complete the Patient Care Services pathway may choose to continue their health education with this program. In this next-level program, students can apply classroom and lab knowledge and skills in a clinical setting as they participate in direct or simulated care. This program allows instructors to provide options for student growth based on the student’s interests.

This course provides the classroom and lab requirements that position the student for and industry certification. Once this certification is attained, students will have the opportunity to participate in the internships with area health care employers.