Health Science Pathway Overview:
The health care science technology career cluster orients students to careers that promote health, wellness and diagnosis as well as treat injuries and diseases. Some of the careers involve working directly with people, while others involve research into diseases or collecting and formatting data and information. Learners need a solid background in math, science, communications and technical skills. Health Science is the largest and fastest-growing industry in the United States. The healthcare industry employs over ten (10) million workers in more than 200 careers. The current projected healthcare workforce shortage is creating a healthcare crisis across the nation. Healthcare employment growth between 2000-2010 is projected to be 25.5 percent. The explosion of technology in healthcare and an aging population contribute to the national healthcare workforce shortage.
Health Science Pathways
Therapeutic Services/Patient Care Pathway Courses
Introduction to Healthcare Science
Introduction to Healthcare Science is the foundational course for all Health Science pathways and is a prerequisite for all other Healthcare Science pathway courses. This course will enable students to receive initial exposure to the many Healthcare Science careers as well as employability, communication, and technology skills necessary in the healthcare industry. The concepts of human growth and development, interaction with patients and family members, health, wellness, and preventative care are evaluated, as well as the legal, ethical responsibilities of today's healthcare provider. Fundamental healthcare skills development is initiated including microbiology, basic life support and first aid. This course will provide students with a competitive edge to be the better candidate for either entry into the healthcare global marketplace and/or the post-secondary institution of their choice to continue their education and training. The pre-requisite for this course is advisor approval.
Essentials of Healthcare
Anatomy and Physiology is a vital part of most healthcare post-secondary education programs. The Essentials of Healthcare is a medical-focused anatomy course addressing the physiology of each body system, along with the investigation of common diseases, disorders and emerging diseases. The prevention of disease and the diagnosis and treatment that might be utilized are addressed, along with medical terminology related to each system. This course provides an opportunity to demonstrate technical skills that enforce the goal of helping students make connections between medical procedures and the pathophysiology of diseases and disorders. The pre-requisite for this course is Introduction to Healthcare.
Patient Care
This course is designed to provide students interested in the careers that involve patient care with entry level skills most commonly associated with the career Nursing Assistant. The students are required to meet both national and intrastate professional guidelines as designated by applicable regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with a specific focus on the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Upon completion of this course and its prerequisites, this course meets the Certified Nurse Assistant curriculum content as specified by the Alliant Health Solutions. Students meeting all academic, attendance, and age requirements may sit for the Georgia Registry's Examination. Successful completion of the Georgia Registry Examination allows students to seek employment in the state of Georgia as a Certified Nurse Assistant.
Therapeutic Services/Sports Medicine Pathway Courses
Introduction to Healthcare Science - see above for course description (this is the first course in both pathways).
Essentials of Healthcare - see above for course description (this is the second course in both pathways).
Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine is the third course in the Therapeutic Services/Sports Medicine Career Pathway. The course is appropriate for students who wish to pursue a career in healthcare with a focus on the musculoskeletal system, injury assessment, injury prevention, or rehabilitation including careers in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Services. This course will enable students to receive initial exposure to therapeutic services skills and attitudes applicable to the healthcare industry. The concepts of anatomy and physiology, assessment, preventative and rehabilitative care are introduced. Fundamental healthcare skills development is initiated, including medical terminology, kinesiology, patient assessment, record keeping, and basic life support. The prerequisites for this course are Introduction to Healthcare and Essentials of Healthcare.
Career Technical Student Organization
To learn about opportunities through the Health Science Pathways, click to visit Georgia HOSA
Health Science Video