Health Careers in the Community

Health Careers in the Community 1, 2, 3, 4

Health Careers in the Community 1,2

Health Careers in the Community 1,2 uses a Community Project-Based Learning (CPBL) approach which emphasizes student application of healthcare knowledge and skills to better the community, understand complex healthcare situations, and create a personalized career roadmap. All projects build on a strong foundation of medical skills, content, certifications, and authentic patient interactions. As the students have a say in building partnerships and designing community events, they will practice critical thinking/problem solving, collaboration and communication skills, while growing as leaders and mentors. This is the concentrator level for a CTE Health pathway.

Health Careers in the Community 3,4

Health Careers in the Community 3,4 uses a Community Project-Based Learning (CPBL) approach which emphasizes student application of healthcare knowledge and skills to better the community, understand complex healthcare situations, and create a personalized career roadmap. All projects build on a strong foundation of medical skills, content, certifications, and authentic patient interactions. As the students have a say in building partnerships and designing community events, they will practice critical thinking/problem solving, collaboration and communication skills, while growing as leaders and mentors. This course builds on the skills learned in Health Careers in the Community 1,2, and is considered the capstone course for a CTE Health pathway.

Fall 2022 has been the first semester of a Health Pathways Career Technical Education program at El Cajon Valley High School. Students are enrolled in a concentrator class focusing on medical terminology and a capstone class with a focus on medical skills such as first aid, vital signs monitoring, and patient care. The language support offered for both of the classes has been instrumental in allowing access to healthcare career education to our student population. The courses offer frequent work-based-learning opportunities such as field trips to local community college and adult school medical training programs, attendance at a professional public health conference, guest speakers on topics such as organ donation, arm splinting, suturing, nursing, college preparation, hyperbaric chamber operations, brain chemistry and patient intake. Students have also volunteered at the ECV Community Center-sponsored Health Fair. Students have the opportunity to become certified in CPR, HIPAA, and as Smart Heart Ambassadors. In class students practice nursing skills such as  suturing, blood pressure monitoring, splinting, first aid, and other patient care skills. These opportunities to participate in real-world experiences enhance the passion our students have for their career paths and it makes learning exciting. Success in these classes affords them entrance this summer into the Certified Nursing Assistant program at the adult school, the Health Occupations Center, which includes support in finding a job placement after completion.