Start Your Path To a Healthcare career
A career in healthcare begins with a single step—and in the North Country, that step can start close to home. Whether you dream of becoming a nurse, doctor, physician assistant, pharmacist, or hospital administrator, or you’re exploring the many other in‑demand roles that keep our health systems running, there’s a pathway waiting for you.
At Jefferson Community College (JCC), students can choose from certificates, microcredentials, career‑ready degrees, and transfer programs that open the door to countless opportunities in the health and biological sciences. These programs help you build foundational skills, gain hands‑on experience, and prepare for advanced study through partnerships such as articulated agreements with SUNY Upstate Medical University.
Why Start Your Healthcare Journey in the North Country?
Beginning your education locally offers powerful advantages:
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Affordable, accessible programs that fit your life
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Hands‑on learning with regional hospitals, clinics, and EMS agencies
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Transfer pathways that take you all the way to advanced degrees
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Strong workforce demand, meaning your skills are needed right here at home
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Supportive advising to help you navigate your academic and career goals
FDRHPO is committed to strengthening the healthcare workforce across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. By partnering with local educators like JCC, BOCES, Jefferson County EMS, Upstate Medical University, Clarkson University, Potsdam University, and others, we help build a pipeline of future providers who will care for our communities for years to come.
Opportunities Available through Jefferson County EMS:
For more information about any of the training offered by Jefferson County EMS, please call 315-786-3760.
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Emergency Medical Technician/Emergency Medical Service Training
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CPR/First Aid Training
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Continuing Medical Education Training
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Stop The Bleed - CLICK HERE to register
Healthcare Career Training at
Jefferson-Lewis BOCES
Jefferson‑Lewis BOCES Adult Education offers fast, hands‑on training programs that prepare students for high‑demand healthcare roles across the North Country. These programs provide the essential skills and certifications needed to enter the workforce quickly and confidently.
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Available programs include Certified Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, Practical Nursing (LPN), Army Medic to LPN Bridge Program, and American Sign Language (enhancing communication skills essential for patient-centered care).
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These programs strengthen the region’s healthcare pipeline by producing job‑ready professionals who can immediately support hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community health organizations.
Start Your Healthcare Career at Jefferson Community College
Healthcare careers begin with strong foundations — and in the North Country, those foundations start at Jefferson Community College (JCC). Whether you’re preparing to enter the workforce quickly or planning to continue into advanced clinical programs, JCC offers accessible, affordable pathways that help you take the first step toward a meaningful career in healthcare.
JCC’s Health & Biological Sciences programs are designed to meet the needs of our region’s hospitals, clinics, long‑term care facilities, EMS agencies, and public health organizations. Students gain hands‑on experience, supportive instruction, and clear transfer pathways that lead to high‑demand careers across the healthcare spectrum.
Health & Biological Sciences at JCC
A foundation in health sciences can lead to an incredible range of careers, from nursing and medicine to healthcare leadership and hospital operations. Whether you’re looking to earn a certificate or microcredential to advance in your current role or you’re planning to transfer into an advanced degree program through partnerships like JCC’s articulated agreements with SUNY Upstate Medical University, starting at JCC puts you on a clear path forward. Your journey can lead to becoming a Physician Assistant, Pharmacist, Medical Doctor, and many other high‑demand healthcare professionals.
Advance Your Healthcare Career at SUNY Upstate Medical University
SUNY Upstate Medical University is Central New York’s only academic medical center, and a powerful next step for students ready to deepen their impact in healthcare. As an upper‑division and graduate‑level institution, Upstate is built for learners who already have momentum in their professional journey and want direct access to advanced clinical training, specialized programs, and a healthcare system that serves the entire region.
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At Upstate, your education is integrated with real‑world experience. Students train within the region’s Level‑1 trauma center, children’s hospital, cancer center, and a broad network of clinical and research facilities. With four colleges dedicated to Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions, and Graduate Studies, Upstate offers pathways that lead directly into high‑demand careers, competitive residencies, and cutting‑edge biomedical research. If you’re committed to growing as a clinician, scientist, or healthcare leader, Upstate provides the depth, expertise, and professional environment to help you move forward with purpose.
Undergraduate
Healthcare Programs
SUNY Upstate offers bachelor's degrees in Nursing, Clinical Lab Sciences, Medical Imaging, Radiation Therapy and Respiratory Therapy
Graduate
Healthcare Programs
​Upstate offers master’s and/or doctoral degrees in Medicine, Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Cardiovascular Perfusion, Public Health, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant and Medical Technology, as well as a Master of Public Health degree and dual degrees (MD/PhD, MD/MPH).
Healthcare Careers to Explore
Healthcare is a vast, interconnected system with roles for every interest and skill set. Starting your healthcare career path locally can lead you toward careers such as:
**This list is not all inclusive of all career options and paths**
Nursing
Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, or advanced practice roles after transfer
Hospital & Health
System Admin
​Leadership roles in operations, quality, and patient services
Behavioral Health
Counseling, social work, or mental health support roles​
Medicine
Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)​
Laboratory &
Biological Science
Medical laboratory technician, research assistant, or biotechnology roles
Health IT & Informatics
Electronic health records, data analytics, and digital health support​
Physician Assistant
A high‑demand clinical profession with strong
regional need
Emergency Medical Services
EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic​
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Specialized Allied Health Fields
Radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, physical therapy assistant, and more! ​
Pharmacy
Pharmacist or pharmacy technician
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Public Health
Community health worker, health educator, or epidemiology pathways​