The Health Sciences CNA track at South Tech High School in Sunset Hills is a free, two-year career and technical education (CTE) program specifically for high school students starting in their junior year. It combines academic learning with hands-on lab work and clinical experience, including rotations in local hospitals and long-term care facilities. Students graduate with multiple credentials, including eligibility for the Missouri CNA exam, OSHA certification, CPR, and First Aid. The program is structured to progressively move students from classroom-based learning in the first year to real-world patient care in their senior year, giving them a solid foundation for entering the healthcare field immediately after high school or continuing on to college-level medical studies.
Program Format and Structure
This CNA program is only open to high school juniors and requires a two-year commitment. Students split their time between their home high school and South Tech, attending the CNA track in the afternoon. The first year (junior year) emphasizes 70% classroom instruction and 30% lab training, focusing on anatomy, physiology, and learning core nursing assistant skills. Senior year flips the focus: students spend 80% or more of their time in clinical environments, applying their training directly with patients.
There are no mid-year or senior-only entries allowed, so students must start this program at the beginning of their junior year. This long-term format is very different from fast-track CNA classes, but it’s built to gradually build knowledge, skills, and confidence while providing high school credit and the chance to earn up to 8 college credits through dual enrollment with Missouri Baptist University or credit-for-prior-learning pathways at STLCC or State Tech.
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What You’ll Learn and Do
From the first day, students are introduced to both academic and practical aspects of nursing. They study medical terminology, human anatomy, and patient care theory while practicing skills like checking blood pressure, using lifts and gait belts, bathing patients, and assisting with feeding and mobility. Throughout the program, students are trained to handle tasks such as:
- Measuring vital signs
- Practicing infection control
- Using wheelchairs and hospital beds
- Providing personal hygiene care
- Transferring patients using lifts
By senior year, clinical rotations take place Monday through Thursday, where students work in real healthcare settings under the guidance of instructors. They gain first-hand experience in helping patients with daily activities, communicating with staff, and managing responsibilities in memory care, rehabilitation, or hospital environments.
Certifications and College Credit
Students who complete the program and meet performance standards can graduate with the following credentials:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – Missouri State Certification
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (Healthcare) Certification
- CPR and First Aid Certification
While college credit and certifications are not guaranteed, they are attainable based on student performance in both coursework and assessments. Students must complete both years of the program to be eligible for the full certification package.
Admission Requirements
Admission to this program is competitive and requires meeting specific academic and behavioral criteria during the sophomore year review:
- Minimum of 7 total credits by sophomore year review, with 5 core credits including 1 in English and 1 lab-based science
- On track to graduate
- Must be 16 years old on the first day of class
- Must have no record of physical altercations or behavioral concerns in school records
- Recommended: Grade of C or better in all science courses
To participate in clinicals, students must also meet the following requirements:
- Have a Social Security Number (required to sit for the Missouri CNA exam)
- Provide a medical physical and vaccine documentation, including:
- MMR
- Hepatitis A & B
- Varicella
- Tdap
- Seasonal flu
- COVID-19
- Pass a background check and drug screen
These requirements are non-negotiable due to hospital and long-term care facility regulations.
Uniform and Materials
Students are required to wear teal scrubs and white leather, slip-resistant shoes. Personal grooming standards include no artificial nails or unnatural hair colors, which align with healthcare professionalism and infection control guidelines.
In terms of supplies, students have access to the same tools used in real medical environments, such as:
- Thermometers
- Stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs
- Gait belts and patient lifts
- Wheelchairs and shower chairs
- Hospital beds and scales
Academic materials include the State of Missouri CNA Manual and medical terminology coursework. Students also learn how to use syringes and other equipment in a controlled lab setting.
Skill Development and Expectations
Beyond clinical and academic knowledge, South Tech’s Health Sciences program emphasizes the development of essential soft skills needed in healthcare. These include time management, empathy, critical thinking, teamwork, and emotional regulation—especially important in high-stress patient care situations.
Students are expected to handle physical tasks like lifting up to 75 pounds and standing or moving for long periods. They must also adjust to the sometimes uncomfortable realities of healthcare settings, including exposure to various sounds, smells, and emotional situations.
The program helps students grow not just as caregivers, but as professionals who can follow procedures, communicate clearly, and operate safely in patient care settings.
Student Experience
Current and past students report that the program is challenging but rewarding. Many speak highly of the supportive learning environment, both from instructors and classmates. Students often form close bonds since they spend several hours together every day over the course of two years. This community atmosphere makes it easier for students to study together, ask questions, and build confidence in their skills.
Clinical rotations have been especially praised as a highlight of the experience. Students say working hands-on with patients has helped them understand the importance of empathy, respect, and professionalism. The skills learned aren’t just useful for passing the CNA exam—they’re preparing students for lifelong careers in healthcare.
Who Should Consider South Tech High School
South Tech’s Health Sciences program is an ideal choice for high school sophomores who know early on that they want to pursue a healthcare career. It’s not a quick path, but it’s a cost-effective and highly structured program that gives students real-world experience before they even graduate. If you’re focused, reliable, and interested in becoming a nurse, doctor, or any medical professional, this program can help you get a serious head start. The free tuition, combined with multiple certifications and potential college credit, make it a great option—especially for students who are financially conscious and want to avoid debt after graduation. However, it requires commitment, maturity, and the ability to juggle academic and clinical demands. If you’re serious about entering healthcare and want to build both skill and confidence early, this program is worth strong consideration.
| Category | Details |
| Cost | Free for high school students |
| Duration & Clock Hours | 2 years (junior and senior year of high school); clock hours not specifically listed, but includes extensive lab and clinical time in year two |
| Evening/Weekend Classes? | No |
| Online Classes? | No |
| Job Placement? | No formal job placement; students graduate eligible to work as CNAs |
| Requirements | Minimum 7 credits (5 core including English and lab science), 16 years old, SSN, physical, full vaccinations, clean background check, negative drug screen |
| Address | 12721 West Watson Road, Sunset Hills, MO 63127 |
| Phone | 314-989-7400 |
| Website | https://southtech.ssdmo.org/programs/health-sciences |
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