Health & Medical Sciences

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.

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.

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.

More about health and medical sciences 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.

More about entry-level positions...

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.

Virginia Board of Nursing Regulations

Course Revisions

The following courses were revised for implementation during the 2019-2020 school year. All curriculum frameworks are available through VERSO

from the CTE Resource Center:

• Emergency Medical Telecommunications (8337)
• Health and Medical Sciences Exploratory (8370)
• Home Health Aide (8364)
• Medical Terminology (8383)
• Medication Aide (8368)
• Nurse Aide I (8355)
• Nurse Aide II (8362)
• Nurse Aide II Condensed (8356)
• Patient Care Technician (8303)
• Pharmacy Technician I (8305)
• Pharmacy Technician II (8306)

Note: The Opioid Competencies have been added to the Health and Medical Science courses regarding Executive Order 29 establishing the Governor’s Task Force on Prescription Drug and Heroin Abuse education.

Dental Careers II (8329)
Emergency Medical Technician II (8334)
Emergency Medical Telecommunications (8337)
Health Assisting Careers (8331)
Home Health Aide (8364)
Introduction to Health and Medical Sciences (8302)
Medical Laboratory Technology II (8378)
Mental Health Assisting Careers (8332)
Nurse Aide II (8362)
Patient Care Technician (8303)
Pharmacy Technician II (8306)
Physical/Occupational Therapy II (8366)
Practical Nursing II (8358)
Radiologic Technology II (8376)
Respiratory Therapy II (8373)

Safety Best Practice Guide for CTE

The Safety Best Practice Guide for CTE-This is a Word document. is a collection of best practice resources used to assist school divisions in the development of a local safety school safety plan.

Instructional Resources

Career & Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

Virginia Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
Promotes career opportunities in the health care industry to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. For more information, visit the CTSO web page.

Career and Technical Education Work-Based Learning Guide is based on the redesigned work-based learning (WBL) methods of instruction effective July 1, 2020. This implementation guide focuses on the eleven types of work-based learning (WBL) methods of instruction used in Virginia; job shadowing, mentorship, service learning, externship, school-based enterprise, internship, entrepreneurship, clinical experience, cooperative education, youth registered apprenticeship, and registered apprenticeship along with opportunities for students to earn one credit toward graduation in addition to any credit earned thorough the associated CTE course in cooperative education, internship, and youth registered apprenticeship for completing 280 hours of work experience and one half credit for 140 hours of work experience in mentorship. It includes Virginia regulations and guidelines for the administration of WBL and provides training materials for work-based learning coordinators. School divisions should use this guide to implement WBL offerings locally.

Federal and State Labor Laws for Youth Work-Based Learning – Know the Rules-This is a Word document. is a resource that compares federal and state labor laws for nonagricultural and agricultural occupations, parental exemption, and prohibited and hazardous occupations as they relate to youth work-based learning.

Revised EMT Guidelines – The High School Based Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Educational Program Guidelines were developed jointly with the Office of Emergency Medical Services to unify state and national standards, establish consistent EMT program standards, to ensure high-quality programs are implemented in high schools and technical centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Also see Superintendent’s Memo 285-19.

Additional Resources

Outside Resources

Virginia CTE Health & Medical Sciences Listserv

If you are not on the Virginia CTE Health and Medical Sciences listserv, contact Michele Green-Wright to be added.

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Health & Medical Sciences

News & Announcements

Emergency Medical Technician Program Updates

Changes in Submission of Licensure by Examination Applications for Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Change in Nursing Regulations and Processing Transcript Information

Special Grants for Survey Fee Required for Practical Nursing Programs

Virginia Board of Nursing Regulations

Course Revisions

Safety Best Practice Guide for CTE

Instructional Resources

Career & Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

Additional Resources

Outside Resources

Virginia CTE Health & Medical Sciences Listserv