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AO-K Healthcare Pathway

Earn a high school diploma while you complete a short-term certificate program in the healthcare field, leading to industry-recognized credentials and improved job prospects. Become an AO-K student today!

A male healthcare worker pointing out something on a monitor to a female healthcare worker

Launch a successful career while simultaneously receiving academic instruction, specialized support and technical certificates. You may even qualify for free tuition for pathway courses.

AO-K Teaching Approach

  • Maximizes individual attention for success
  • Specialized teaching team
  • Improves basic reading, writing and math skills related to your technical career
  • Teaches both technical and professional skills 

The courses in the Healthcare pathway include:

  • Basic Lifesaving Skills (BLS)
  • Medical Terminology
  • Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
  • Certified Medication Aide (CMA)
  • Introduction to Psychology

With completion of all courses in the Healthcare pathway, you will earn up to 17 college credit hours and become a fully licensed Certified Nurse Aide, Certified Medication Aide and Home Health Aide. You will also have completed many of the required prerequisites for admission to the Practical Nurse program.

LaTasha S., GED® graduate and Certified Nurse Aide

“The instructors convinced me I was smarter than I thought I was. I was introduced to the AO-K program while at JCAE and the Healthcare Pathway was the best decision.”

Read the rest of LaTasha's story

Launch a New Career

The Healthcare pathway can help build your credentials, education and earning potential.

You will be prepared to begin your career in healthcare by first becoming a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA). You will learn skills for daily hygiene, bedside care, vital-sign measurement, positioning and safe transfer of clients. You will learn about common health problems and chronic illnesses. You will complete hands-on training in clinical practice sessions that are conducted in the nursing home setting.

In training to become a Certified Medication Aide, you will increase your marketability as a Certified Nurse Aide by also learning how to safely and properly dispense medications.

Each course will teach you additional skillsets in the healthcare environment and continue to boost your resume, all while fulfilling required prerequisites for the Practical Nurse program for those who wish to further their healthcare career by pursuing a nursing degree.

Commerce Department Outlook for Nurses

The Kansas Department of Commerce reports that wages in the healthcare field are very competitive and jobs in this field are in high demand. The median wage for Certified Nurse Aides is $24,560 per year in the state of Kansas. The median wage for Licensed Practical Nurses is $42,350 in the state of Kansas.

Learn More!

To learn more, email Holly Wimer, AO-K Coordinator, or call 913-469-8500, ext. 7687.

Tammy W., GED® graduate and Certified Nurse Aide

“When I got accepted into the AO-K program, I worked really hard to excel in my GED® classes. I got my CNA and my Home Health Aid license while I was working on my GED®. This was possible because of the wonderful help from the staff and volunteers at the GED® program at Johnson County Community College.”

Do you or someone you know need a GED and have an interest in training for a career?