Health & Medical Sciences

News & Announcements

Nominations for the 2014-2015 CTE curriculum review committees will be accepted through August 25, 2014. School divisions may nominate a CTE teacher for each of the 37 committees. All nominees who wish to participate must complete the Web-based application using the CTE Application Processing System (CTEAPS). See Superintendent’s Memo 173-14.

Revised EMT Education Program Guidelines – The High School Based Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Educational Program Guidelines are based on the revised state and national standards for EMT programs and serves as a guide to school divisions for implementing the revised EMT programs standards consistently in all high schools and technical centers statewide. Also see Superintendent’s Memo 165-14 or EMT Guidelines, below.

Emergency medical worker Within each cluster, there are multiple career pathways that represent a common set of skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a full range of career opportunities within that pathway. Career Clusters that relate to instruction in health and medical sciences include:

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Health Science

Health Science prepares you to help keep people healthy and treat those who are not. Work directly with people by conducting research on diseases and other important health information. This field allows you to work in diverse environments such as hospitals, medical and dental offices or labs.

Career Pathways
Students may begin to follow a sequence of courses in a pathway that will allow them to specialize in a field of interest.

Biotechnology Research & Development Pathway

Discover new treatments and medical technologies to improve human health and advance the overall health science field.

Diagnostic Services Pathway

Use tests and evaluations to aid in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries or other physical conditions.

Health Informatics Pathway

Manage health care agencies by overseeing all patient data, financial information and technological applications related to health care processes and procedures.

Support Services Pathway

Assist health care professionals with a range of administrative and maintenance duties to ensure that the health care environment is maintained.

Therapeutic Services Pathway

Care and treat patients to improve their health over time. Counsel patients and give them the tools necessary to live a healthier and problem-free lifestyle.

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security prepares you for service in public safety and security. Responsibilities include prevention of and protection from harm such as crime or natural disasters. Career opportunities range from public safety to legal services to homeland security.

Career Pathways
Students may begin to follow a sequence of courses in a pathway that will allow them to specialize in a field of interest.

Correction Services Pathway

Protect citizens from crime and disaster. Manage offenders serving jail sentences by helping to rehabilitate, educate and reintegrate them into society.

Emergency & Fire Management Services Pathway

Help protect the public by being the first to respond to emergencies including fires, traffic accidents, medical emergencies and other crises.

Law Enforcement Services Pathway

Help protect public safety by maintaining order and enforcing laws. Prevent crime, control traffic violations and conduct investigations.

Legal Services Pathway

Create and uphold the laws that govern our society and protect people. Provide critical legal support to a team committed to a strict ethics code.

Security & Protective Services Pathway

Provide security by monitoring routine operations including the inspection of people and packages. May serve as guard for private information and data.

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics prepares you for careers using science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills. Jobs within this career cluster conduct in-depth research to provide solutions to a variety of technical problems within many different fields. A postsecondary degree and relevant work experience are necessary to succeed in this field.

Career Pathways
Students may begin to follow a sequence of courses in a pathway that will allow them to specialize in a field of interest.

Engineering & Technology Pathway

Apply engineering and technical concepts to develop solutions for problems that exist throughout a broad range of fields from building bridges to flying airplanes to working in the medical industry.

Science & Mathematics Pathway

Apply mathematics and science to real-world situations. Career possibilities range from science and math teachers to lab technicians and NASA astronauts.

Health and Medical Sciences prepare students for careers in disciplines related to medicine, nursing, dentistry and other health occupations programs through therapeutic, diagnostic, rehabilitative, managerial and supportive services.

Health & Medical Science Courses

introduce secondary students to nursing, medical, dental, and other health occupations
prepare students with basic skills for employment in nursing homes, clinics, medical and dental offices, hospitals, homes, and certain public health settings
facilitate entry into advanced health occupations programs that require post-high school education leading to state licensure, certification, registration, or national credentialing
enable students to become more knowledgeable consumers of health services.

The occupational preparation programs prepare students for entry-level positions in a particular health field or for advanced training in health occupations at the technical and professional levels. Entry-level positions include:

nursing – certified nurse's aide or licensed practical nurse
medical – medical assistant, emergency medical technician or surgical technologist
dental – dental assistant
other health occupations – physical or occupational therapy aide, respiratory therapy assistant, rehabilitation aide, dietary aide, laboratory aide, geriatric aide, home health aide, housekeeping aide, sterile supply aide, transportation aide or veterinary assistant.

Local school divisions determine the structure of Health and Medical Sciences courses. Programs may be offered in two- or three-hour blocks or in a one-hour block the first year and a two-hour block the second year.

HOSA logo HOSA is a national organization for secondary and postsecondary/collegiate career and technical education students enrolled in health science (and pre-technical health science) programs, or for students who are planning to pursue a health career. The activities of HOSA are an integral part of the instructional program that provides occupational skills as well as leadership skills. Local HOSA chapters provide programs and activities to help individuals develop their physical, mental and social well-being. Members strengthen their leadership and citizenship abilities through interaction with professional, business and other student organizations.

Course Revisions for 2014-2015

Emergency Medical Responder AND Emergency Medical Dispatcher (New courses)
Patient Care Technician (new course)
Pharmacy Technician I and II (8305, 8306)
Physical/Occupational Therapy II (8366)
Nurse Aide I and II (8360,8362)
Home Health Aide (8364)
Medical Terminology (8383)
Health and Medical Sciences Exploratory (8370)
Biomedical Technician (8347)

Work-Based Learning (WBL) (PDF)
WBL is a school-coordinated, coherent sequence of on-the-job experiences that are related to students’ career goals and/or interests, are based on instructional preparation and are performed in partnership with local businesses, industries or other organizations in the community. For more information on WBL methods of instruction, visit Work-Based Learning.

EMT Guidelines – The High School Based Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Educational Program Guidelines (PDF) are based on the revised state and national standards for EMT programs and serves as a guide to school divisions for implementing the revised EMT programs standards consistently in all high schools and technical centers statewide. The guidelines are presented by VDOE in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health. Also see Superintendent’s Memo #165-14.

Resources

2014-2015 Reference Sheet (PDF)
2014-2015 Calendar of Events (PDF)
Heath and Medical Sciences Update, April 2014 (PPT)
Essential Competency List for Health & Medical Sciences (Virginia's CTE Resource Center)
Administrative Planning Guide for Health and Medical Sciences
Equipment Resource Guide – See Equipment for CTE Programs
Health and Medical Sciences Licensure Endorsement Requirements (PDF) – See 8VAC20-22-250 on pages 32-33 of the Licensure Regulations for School Personnel document.
Career Planning Guide
Industry Credentialing
Governor’s Health Sciences Academies
Project Lead the Way

Outside Resources

Virginia Health Regulatory Boards:

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