08/07/2026
The Smith County Career Center is expanding career opportunities for students pursuing careers in healthcare with the addition of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program for second-year Health Science students in the 2026-2027 school year.
The Career Center recently received approval from the Mississippi State Department of Health to become a Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP), allowing eligible students to complete the required training and earn their CNA certification before graduating high school.
Health Science is a two-year Career and Technical Education program through the Mississippi Department of Education that introduces students to healthcare careers, foundational health sciences, and essential clinical skills. During the first year, students learn basic healthcare skills, medical terminology, legal and ethical responsibilities, body systems, and explore a variety of healthcare career pathways. The newly approved CNA program is incorporated into the second year of the curriculum.
Students selected for the program will participate in classroom instruction, hands-on skills training, and 16 clinical hours at Jasper General Hospital's Nursing Home before taking the Mississippi CNA certification examination.
"There will be an interview process for year two students who wish to go through the CNA Program," said Health Science Instructor Carlie Batte.
The addition of the program was made possible through support from the Bower Foundation, which is committed to strengthening Mississippi's healthcare workforce by expanding certification opportunities for high school students. The foundation has partnered with Health Science programs across the state to assist schools in becoming state-approved Nurse Aide Training Programs.
Students earning healthcare certifications through approved high school or career technical programs may qualify to have the cost of their certification exam covered through Bower Foundation grant opportunities. Eligible certifications include Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician.
"Our goal is for all our students in the CNA Program to become CNA certified before graduation," Batte said. "This certification will open doors for them to go to work immediately after graduation."
Batte said the program also provides an advantage for students planning to continue their education in healthcare related careers.
"I think this is a great opportunity for students," she said. "Not only will the CNA certification open up jobs for students, but will benefit them if they want to apply for any health care program."
She also credited the Bower Foundation for helping bring the program to the Smith County Career Center.
"I would like to thank Amy Swales with the Bower Foundation," Batte said. "She's the one that's helped us get this rolling with supplies and help with the application process."
While the CNA certification is a significant addition to the Health Science program, Batte emphasized that students are building upon an already established curriculum.
"So this is not a new class, but it's a program that's incorporated into our Year 2 Health Science course," Batte added.
The addition of the CNA program reflects the Smith County School District's continued commitment to preparing students for success beyond high school.
