GUSTINE — Gustine High School is looking to give students a stronger start in healthcare fields through a proposed training purchase that would add instruction in patient privacy, first aid and workplace safety to the school’s Patient Care Pathway. The $14,813.50 proposal, funded through GSPP grant dollars, was presented at this week’s Gustine Unified School District board meeting.

Teacher Paul Demmers, who leads the pathway, said the training is designed to help students see a future in nursing, medical assisting, emergency response and other health professions. “For many of our students, this pathway is their first opportunity to see themselves as a future nurse, medical assistant, emergency responder or other healthcare professional,” Demmers told the board.

Under the plan, students would complete the certifications in the introductory Patient Care course, giving them a shared foundation before advancing to second‑year classes. Demmers said earning the credentials early would allow returning students to focus on hands‑on skills and patient‑care experience rather than introductory requirements.

The pathway already includes site visits, industry tours, guest speakers, simulations and other opportunities for students to interact with healthcare professionals. Demmers said those experiences can be especially important for students who lack personal connections to the field. “When students enter these professional settings, we want them to feel like they belong there,” he said, adding that the training would help them understand the expectations that come with those environments.

The proposed instruction includes HIPAA training on patient privacy, first aid preparation for responding to immediate medical needs, and an OSHA safety course focused on workplace hazards. Materials shared at the meeting describe an OSHA 10‑Hour General Industry course tailored to healthcare, covering topics such as personal protective equipment, bloodborne pathogens, safe patient handling, infection prevention and workplace violence. Students who complete the course earn a U.S. Department of Labor OSHA 10‑Hour General Industry card. The accompanying Healthcare Safety Fundamentals Library includes lessons on privacy, infection control and safe handling practices.

Demmers said the goal is not to add another assignment but to help students connect classroom learning with real‑world expectations. “Earning these credentials can be the moment a student begins to believe that a healthcare career is truly possible for them,” he said.

The training is intended to support students as they move into advanced coursework, work‑based learning, further education and eventual employment. Demmers said he hopes the investment will give students both practical preparation and confidence in their progress.

“Ultimately, this investment is about opening doors for our students,” he said.