Beaufort County Community College turned out more qualified health care workers as students from the nurse aide I, nurse aide II and phlebotomy programs achieved their certificates.

The Continuing Education Division held its first ceremony to congratulate all of the program graduates on May 24.

Five students finished the nurse aide I program, four completed the nurse aide II program and 11 completed the phlebotomy program. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects these fields to grow by 17 percent by 2024. Rural areas have a high demand for these fields, as they tend to have older populations in need of routine health care and long-term care.

Graduates of the nurse aide programs can provide personal care and perform basic nursing skills for elderly adults. Phlebotomy students learn to draw blood. Students will still need to complete state exams before employment. Students participate in clinical internships as part of the program in locations such as Agape Community Health Center in Washington and Vidant Family Medicine in Chocowinity.

Of the phlebotomy students, three were offered positions by their internship sites and three others are considering entering the medical laboratory technology program at the college. The MLT program dives into analyzing blood and other fluids for signs of disease and infection. It is an associate degree program.

“Whether this is a first step into the health care field or an opportunity to expand their skills, these students are moving into promising careers that will sustain them or their families,” said Jackie Butcher, director of health care programs for continuing education. “Our aging population means that there in a need for these skills in the community.”

The next programs will start in August. For more information about BCCC’s nurse aide program, interested persons should contact Jackie Butcher at 252-940-6263.