Health and Medical Sciences

Program Description

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

Because of the continued need for health care workers, Valley Health Systems partnered with local school divisions to implement the Introduction to Health and Medical Sciences course. This course is designed for students considering a career in Health and Medical Science. The Introduction to Health and Medical Sciences course is available for students in grades 10-12 but is recommended for 10th graders so that students have time to take one of the sequential course offerings in Nurse Aide, Pharmacy Technician, Sports Medicine, EMT, or Medical Systems Administration.

Work-based Learning

Health and Medical Science programs have specific work-based learning guidelines determined by the corresponding regulatory agency or accrediting body. Programs with these requirements include Pharmacy Technician Academy, the EMT Academy,  Nurse Aide, and Patient Care Technician. Students must complete the required clinical hours as part of the program in which they are enrolled.

Credentialing

The High School Industry Credentialing initiative encourages students to work toward a selected industry credential or state license while pursuing a high school diploma. The Virginia Department of Education evaluates on an on-going basis industry credentials against prescribed criteria for graduation requirements for the Standard Diploma (8VAC20-131-50.B) and student-selected verified credit (8VAC20-131-110.C). Credentialing exams are available to any student taking a Career and Technical Education course.

Courses

Emergency Medical Technician I: 8333

Credits 5.0
The tasks for this first course represent the National Emergency Medical Services Educational Standards. Students explore and apply the fundamentals of emergency medical services, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology while demonstrating skills in assessing and managing patient care, including assessing the scene and understanding shock, resuscitation, and trauma. Supervised field experience outside of school hours is required. Successful completion of this course and instructor endorsement qualifies students to enroll in EMT II to complete the program sequence. Successful completion of the second course in the sequence will earn the student CTE completer status. Successful completion of all course requirements and instructor endorsement may lead to eligibility to take the Virginia State Psychomotor Exam and the National Registry EMT cognitive exam.

Emergency Medical Technician II: 8334

Credits 5.0
The tasks for this second course represent the National Emergency Medical Services Educational Standards. Students build on their knowledge and skills for providing basic life support by focusing on the areas of emergency medical services (EMS) operations, medical emergencies, and management of special patient populations. Supervised field experience outside of school hours is required. Successful completion of this second course in the sequence will earn the student CTE completer status. Successful completion of all course requirements and instructor endorsement may lead to eligibility to take the Virginia State Psychomotor Exam and the National Registry EMT cognitive exam.

Health and Medical Sciences Exploratory: 8370

Students explore health and medical sciences careers and related clusters, participate in interactive activities, and receive an overview of the healthcare industry. Course content includes the criteria for entering various healthcare careers. Students gain communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.

Introduction to Health and Medical Sciences: 8302

Credits 1.0
This course introduces the student to a variety of health care careers and develops basic skills required in all health and medical sciences. It is designed to help students understand the key elements of the U.S. health care system and to learn basic health care terminology, anatomy and physiology for each body system, pathologies, diagnostic and clinical procedures, therapeutic interventions, and the fundamentals of traumatic and medical emergency care.

Nurse Aide I: 8360

Credits 1.0
This first course in the Nurse Aide Program is an occupational preparation course beginning at the 11th grade level, emphasizes the study of nursing occupations as related to the health care system. Students study normal growth and development, simple body structure and function, and medical terminology and are introduced to microbes and disease. They receive elementary skill training in patient-nurse aide relationships; taking and recording of vital signs; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and bathing, feeding, dressing, and transporting of patients in hospitals and nursing homes.

Nurse Aide II: 8362

Credits 1.0
This second course in the Nurse Aide Program is an occupational preparation course, emphasizing advanced skill training in areas such as catheter care, range of motion, bowel and bladder training, care of the dying, selected procedures for maternal and infant care, and admission and discharge procedures. Students learn diseases and body systems as related to advanced clinical care of the acute medical-surgical patient, the chronically ill, and the elderly. Fifty clinical hours of on-the-job instruction in a licensed nursing home are required.

Patient Care Technician: 8303

Credits 2.0
This is an occupational course offered as a senior capstone to the Nurse Aide program that involves instruction at DJHC during the afternoon block to prepare for additional certification. Students with CNA certification will maintain continuous employment in a health care facility for 11–15 hours per week throughout the school year. Students must have a “B” average in Nurse Aide I and II, submit an application and two letters of recommendation to be accepted into this program. The DJHC nursing instructor coordinates student placement in a health care related job. Students learn and practice workplace readiness, ECG, basic medical, lab and exam procedures and skills, draw blood, and provide basic patient care.

Pharmacy Technician I: 8305

Credits 1.0
This is the first course in a 400 hour certificate program designed to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge to begin work as a pharmacy technician. The completion of Pharmacy Technician I and Pharmacy Technician II including 130 experiential hours will fulfill the requirements of the ASHP/ACPE and prepare students to take either the state examination or the national examination. Trained, experienced pharmacy technicians who can demonstrate the right skills and knowledge should be able to pursue many exciting and respected career options or postsecondary study in the pharmacy field.

Pharmacy Technician II: 8306

Credits 1.0
This is the second course in a 400 hour certificate program designed to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge to begin work as a pharmacy technician. The completion of Pharmacy Technician I and Pharmacy Technician II including 130 experiential hours will fulfill the requirements of ASHP/ACPE and prepare students to take either the state examination or the national examination. Trained, experienced pharmacy technicians who can demonstrate the right skills and knowledge should be able to pursue many exciting and respected career options or postsecondary study in the pharmacy field.

Sports Medicine I: 83161

Credits 1.0
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of athletic training and sports medicine. The course introduces students to topics such as human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, medical terminology, injuries and illnesses, and legal and ethical issues in sports medicine. Students also examine prospective careers in the medical field. Note: This course will only be offered if licensed staff is available.

Sports Medicine I (Co-op/Internship): 83162

Credits 2.0

This course is designed to introduce students to the field of athletic training and sports medicine. The course introduces students to topics such as human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, medical terminology, injuries and illnesses, and legal and ethical issues in sports medicine. Students also examine prospective careers in the medical field. Note: This course will only be offered if licensed staff is available.

Sports Medicine II: 83171

Credits 1.0
This course builds upon basic knowledge acquired in Sports Medicine I on topics such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, exercise program design and injury prevention, assessment, treatment, and management. Students prepare for a career in the medical field, including completing an internship. Upon successful completion of this course, students may be eligible to take the National Academy of Sports Medicine-Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) exam.

Sports Medicine II (Co-op/Internship): 83172

Credits 2.0

This course builds upon basic knowledge acquired in Sports Medicine I on topics such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, exercise program design and injury prevention, assessment, treatment, and management. Students prepare for a career in the medical field, including completing an internship. Upon successful completion of this course, students may be eligible to take the National Academy of Sports Medicine-Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) exam.