CLEARFIELD – Jody Gunter is one of two secondary health occupations technology instructors at the Clearfield County Career & Technology Center (CCCTC).
At the end of this hands-on, two-year program, students will have 900 hours of training that includes CPR, First Aid, AED and OSHA Certifications.
Gunter first became a nurse because she wanted to do something challenging and interesting that makes a difference in people’s lives daily. She says, “In the nursing profession, you deal with many aspects of patient care, and I enjoy the variety in the routine.”
After graduation from Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School, Gunter attended Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania for her Associate’s degree in nursing and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Clarion University of PA.
She is also oncology-certified through the Oncology Nursing Society and the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.
With the growing need for healthcare professionals and the overabundance of applications received for the health occupations technology program at the CCCTC, a second program was opened, which led to the hiring of Gunter.
She explained she wanted to help shape the future of healthcare and influence the students in a way that will positively impact the care their patients are given, as well as having a positive influence on each student long after they have graduated from our program.
She says the opportunity to teach the program at CCCTC is rewarding in seeing the student’s enthusiasm after mastering a new skill, stepping out of their comfort zone, and being proud after seeing their accomplishments.
Though significant in many careers, an ability to work with others is essential in healthcare. Gunter says, “I want to see my students break out of their shells, ask the hard questions, and know they are capable of amazing things. Mistakes will happen, and we use these mistakes as a learning tool to better ourselves.”
Healthcare careers are growing in both popularity and job availability. Students in the health occupations program can go straight to work after graduating or they can choose to move onto higher education.
The opportunity to explore healthcare at their age allows them to decide if a career in healthcare is right for them and what level of education they wish to pursue in that field.