When it comes to medical training, the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School offers nearly a dozen programs that offer hands-on training in everything from nursing to emergency medicine.

The courses annually draw more than 200 students from throughout the region.

High school seniors can learn first-hand about health care careers in areas such as nursing physical therapy, dentistry and veterinary medicine. Currently, 29 students are enrolled in the Health Care Careers course.

The course teaches students basic nursing skills and includes time spent "on the job" at area nursing homes, local hospitals and other medical businesses, including dental and veterinarian offices.

Jeannie Clark coordinates the program and teaches the class. Laura Ray also instructs the students.

Ray said there is a need for certified nurse assistants at nursing homes. Often, students can secure jobs right out of high school.

Some of the students also get practical experience in other health care work.

Central High School senior Rachel Hessenkemper currently spends her mornings working at the Cape Girardeau dental office of Dr. John Freeze.

"I sterilize instruments," said Rachel. She also takes X-rays and does other work under supervision of the dental staff.

Lisa Palen, dental assistant, is pleased with the program. "I really think this is a wonderful idea," she said as she watched Rachel sterilize instruments.

Clark tells students to work in a profession they enjoy. "If they are not happy, I encourage them to go elsewhere."

The other vo-tech programs in health care are geared for adults and charge tuition. Some year-long courses cost nearly $5,000.

But for students like David Phelps of Cape Girardeau, the cost is worth it. Phelps is one of 13 people who are studying to be respiratory therapists. It's a 12-month program that prepares students to take the national exam.

Phelps currently is spending three days a week handling supervised respiratory therapy duties at St. Francis Medical Center. The other two days are spent in class.

"We are not on our own running through the hospital," he said.

Phelps, who is from Louisiana, knows the need for respiratory therapy. "My grandpa died of respiratory problems. I gave him respiratory treatments at home," he said.

His mother also suffers from respiratory problems.

Phelps said he enjoys helping people breathe better. "It feels great to help somebody."

Ken Pfau directs the respiratory program at the vo-tech school. He said the program is one of only about seven respiratory therapy programs in the state.

Adults also can take eight-week classes to prepare for jobs as certified nurse assistants and medication technicians at nursing homes.

Certified nurse assistants don't have to be high school graduates. "You just need to have a strong back and a willing heart," said instructor Linda Lewis.

The vo-tech school offers a 12-month course to train people to be licensed practical nurses. Following graduation, the students can take the national licensing exam.

Half the school year is spent in the classroom. The other half is spent working under supervision at the two Cape Girardeau hospitals and the Lutheran Home.

This is the 25th year for the LPN program. In that time, 434 people have graduated from the program.

The program is one of 42 LPN programs in the state, said Carol Kranawetter who teaches and supervises the vo-tech program.

Like other medical jobs, LPNs are in demand, she said.

Licensed practical nurses work in hospitals, doctors' offices, home health care agencies and for organizations such as the American Red Cross.

Kranawetter also teaches an 11-week medical terminology course that can be helpful to persons seeking to become medical transcriptionists or even the general public.

The vo-tech school offers three programs dealing with emergency medicine.

A First Responder course is offered for firefighters, police and other emergency personnel, and employees of private industry.

About 30 to 35 people took the 50-hour, basic first aid course last year. The school also trains people to be emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

The EMT course typically meets twice a week for four hours each night for about six months.

About 30 people a year graduate from the program, said Randy Everett, who directs the emergency medical training.

The paramedic course is more rigorous. Only EMTs are allowed to take the year-long course, which includes on-the-job training.

"Most are working for ambulance or fire departments already," said Everett. The paramedic course teaches advanced life-support skills, including administering medications and starting Ivs.

"We take 15 a year in the paramedic course. Generally, we graduate about nine," he said.

The course is hard work. Seven months out of the year, the students put in about 100 hours a week on average, counting their regular job and course work.

But there's good reason to make the course challenging. Everett said paramedics have to be able to handle a variety of medical emergencies.

"They have to learn about so many things," he said.