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Career Cluster Health Services
Health Assisting programs teach students to provide direct care in settings such as schools, physical therapy offices, assisted living facilities, hospitals and ambulances. Through classroom learning and direct experiences students learn about human development and life stages, body systems and functions, infection control, and patient safety. Students gain practical experience with skills such as taking vital signs, performing heart monitoring and drawing blood. The goal is to prepare students for higher education or entry-level positions in the healthcare field.
Standards are critical areas of competency aligned to industry identified needs and Industry Recognized Credentials (IRCs) that will support student success in the field. Standards provide the structure that empowers the teacher to choose the best curriculum and instructional approaches to guide skill and knowledge development for students.
Industry Recognized Credentials demonstrate standards and skills that strengthen student access to careers upon graduation. Each framework identifies at least one essential safety and essential industry credential, with supplemental and specialized credentials identified to help expand opportunities. This framework is designed for students to gain insight and skills and credentials necessary for success in this field, including the essential credentials: OSHA, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Health Providers, First Aid, and Certified Nursing Assistant.
The following resources are provided to support educators in developing curriculum and delivering instruction related to this framework. For CTE Chapter 74 programs, instructors can refer to these resources in developing the 900+ hours of required learning time.
Math Lessons:
The following Math Lesson and Teachers Guide provide an illustration of how a specific math concept is used in the context of career application.
**Disclosure Statement: Reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Our office is not responsible for and does not in any way guarantee the accuracy of information in other sites accessible through links herein. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE may supplement this list with other services and products that meet the specified criteria. For more information contact: ccte@mass.gov
Qualified teachers will hold a Career Technical Teacher License in Health Assisting.
Last Updated: January 6, 2026