Medical Careers Department
The Health and Biosciences area covers occupations in hospitals, the home care industry, medical laboratories, including the work of doctors, nurses, dentists, and a wide variety of other specialists. It also includes industries involved in researching and manufacturing medical drugs and other chemical and medical products, including those in the fast-changing biotechnology/biomedical field. Jobs in this cluster are growing because a large part of the population is aging and needs medical care and because constant new developments in medicine offer solutions to health problems.
FACULTY
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MEDICAL CAREER COURSE OFFERINGS
Students taking courses No. 6201may earn college credit through the College Career Pathways Program. See page 60 for more information. Students must apply in November of their junior year.
6201 Medical Career Fundamentals+ 10-12
6230 Advanced Medical Careers 11-12
6260 Nurse Assistant+ 12
6300 Hospital Volunteer (75 hours) 9-12
6310 Hospital Volunteer (150 hours) 9-12
+ Meets College Career Pathways requirement.
MEDICAL CAREER FUNDAMENTALS
Course No. 6201 Weight: 1 Credit: 1 (FY) Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: None
Students learn the basics required of all health care employees, including professionalism, medical ethics, terminology, measurement of vital signs, structure and function of the human organism, infection control, and standard precautions. Students also explore all five health careers pathways: Therapeutic Services, Diagnostic Services, Health Informatics, Support Services and Biotechnology research and development. Students demonstrate their learning in patient care simulations in the lab, and by giving oral presentations based on the Connecticut Standards for Medical Careers Education. Membership in HOSA is encouraged. This course is a prerequisite for course No. 6230 Advanced Medical Careers. Juniors must take this course to earn college credit through the College Career Pathways Program. This course is partially taught on line in Moodle, a protected online environment used in many colleges.
21st Century Learning Expectations: 5
ADVANCED MEDICAL CAREERS
Course No. 6230 Weight: 1 Credit: 1 (FY) Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: Medical Careers Fundamentals
Students learn concepts of basic disease processes including wound healing;
normal and abnormal immune responses; diagnosis, signs and symptoms and treatment
of infections; and diagnosis, treatment and risk factors for cancer. Pharmacy
skills and terminology associated with body systems are also covered. Skills
labs include sterile medical procedures such as urinary catheterization, intravenous
insertion and removal, dressing changes and others. Ethical dilemmas associated
with modern health care are analyzed. The development of the whole person is
encouraged through a variety of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America)
programs. Special project during semester 2 will be required (student choice
with teacher approval). Based on the current Connecticut Standards for Medical
Careers Education. Students may contract this course up to Honors level by
reading the 4 – 5 medical novels selected by National HOSA.
21st Century Learning Expectations: 5
NURSE ASSISTANT
Course No. 6260 Weight: 1 Credit: 2 (FY DBL) Grade 12
Prerequisite: Strong background in math and science/teacher recommendation
Students who are approved for this course will acquire the necessary skills
for employment upon graduation as a Certified Nurse Assistant. Classroom instruction
is followed by clinical practice in a nursing home and hospital. Course content
includes medical terminology, infection control, and professional attitudes,
and behaviors in dealing with patients and fellow staff members as specified
in the state CNA curriculum. Skills acquired by the student are used in direct
patient care, bed making, taking vital signs, and other activities to be performed
in the clinical setting. Upon successful completion of both the classroom and
clinical phases of the course, students are eligible to take the state certification
exam which is given at EHHS. If they pass, they will be able to work as a Certified
Nurse Assistant in nursing homes, hospitals, or other health settings. This
course can be used as an introduction to a college degree program in medicine
or nursing.
21st Century Learning Expectations: 5
HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER*
Course No. 6300 Weight: P/F Credit: .5 (75 hrs.) Grades 9-12
Course No. 6310 Weight: P/F Credit: 1 (150 hours) Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: None
Students who choose to volunteer at a local hospital must complete the required
hours to earn the credit. During the school year, there are two sessions (September
to December or February to May). Volunteer time must be at
least three hours per week in either session. During the summer, the requirement
is 8 hours each week. Students are interviewed at the hospital and placed in
an area of interest. Placements are made in the areas of patient care as well
as other non-patient care areas of the hospital. For more information, students
or parents should call the Volunteer Office at St. Raphael’s Hospital
or Yale-New Haven Hospital. After the student has started volunteering, they
should contact Mrs. Tipping to register for this credit. A short written paper
or oral presentation about the experience will be required. No transportation
is provided.
This is an excellent opportunity for students to observe medical professionals
in a variety of roles so that they can make informed choices about their future
career plans and education.
*A maximum of two (2) credits may be earned as a hospital volunteer during
a student’s four year high school career.
21st Century Learning Expectations: 5