Health Careers strand

Health careers strand required courses -- Two of the following options:

Nutrition/Human Growth & Development
(open to grades 10, 11, and 12) (year-long; 120 minutes daily; 12 credits)

This course provides students instruction in the biomedical and healthcare sciences with two dual enrollment courses of  

• VTC’s Introduction to Nutrition 

• VTC’s Human Growth and Development

The course content is described below.

The focus of the Nutrition portion of the program is to provide sound, relevant background knowledge in the science of human nutrition and to translate the scientific principles of nutrition into applicable concepts of care.  This course offers opportunities for the student to identify dietary modifications relating to the development stage of the patient as well as the role of adequate nutrition in maintaining the health of the individual throughout the life-span.  * This course is offered for college credit.

This focus of the Human Growth and Development portion of the program provides an overview of the physical, intellectual, cognitive, language, social, and emotional development of human beings from birth to adolescence. Emphasizes how hereditary and environmental influences impact the development of the whole child. 

Medical Terminology/Licensed Nurse Assistant
(open to grades 11 and 12) (year-long; 120 minutes daily; 12 credits)

This course is the dual enrollment course of 

• CCV’s: Medical Terminology

and the certification course of:

• Licensed Nurse Assistant Certification

These courses include an introduction to the many career opportunities in the healthcare and biomedical sciences fields and the introductory skills needed to pursue employment after graduation or continue on to college level learning.

The study of Medical Terminology introduces students to the language of medicine. Students will gain an understanding of basic elements, rules of building and analyzing medical words, and medical terms associated with the body as a whole. Utilizing a systems-approach, the student will define, interpret, and pronounce medical terms relating to structure and function, pathology, diagnosis, clinical procedures, oncology, and pharmacology. In addition to medical terms, common abbreviations applicable to each system will be interpreted.

The Licensed Nurse Assistant Certification portion of this program provides instruction in the roles and responsibilities of the Nursing Assistant. Body structure and function, infection prevention, nutrition, principles of growth and development, safety in healthcare, home health care, and care of the older person are some of the topics emphasized. Instruction and practice of basic patient care skills required for Nursing Assistants is provided. The student must successfully meet all objectives of the course; pass exams, laboratory skills performance and the clinical experience to be eligible for course completion. At the completion of this certificate, students are eligible to take the Vermont Board of Nursing LNA Licensure Exam.

Successful students earning their LNA will be eligible for employment as soon as licensure is obtained. This program provides students a pathway to employment right after high school as well as a pathway to a college major in health careers. Many students actually choose to do both: employment right after graduation while attending college part-time.

Anatomy & Physiology
(open to grades 11 and 12) (year-long; 120 minutes daily; 12 credits)

This pathway provides the dual enrollment course of 

• VTC’s Anatomy & Physiology I

Necessary life functions and survival needs will be examined, followed by an orientation of the language of anatomy. Thorough analyses of intracellular function, tissue types, the integumentary system, skeletal tissue and the human skeleton, joints, muscle tissue and the muscular system, the fundamentals of nervous tissue and the nervous system

This course is rigorous and geared toward students who are planning to pursue a post-secondary degree in a healthcare, medical field or biomedical engineering.

Prerequisites for the 2022-2023 school year students will need to have completed either Biology or Chemistry with grades of 85 or better. 

This course may also be offered for college credit.

Other acceptable courses (offered prior to Fall 2022):

        Health Careers I
Health Careers II.I
Health Careers II.II
Principles of Biomedical Science (PLTW)

         Human Body Systems (PLTW)

         Medical Interventions (PLTW)

         Biomedical Innovations (PLTW)

         Medical Terminology

         Nutrition

         Human Growth & Development

In addition to the above, Biomedical courses students must complete:

         16 credits in Science (including Chemistry and Physics as separate, semester-long courses)

         16 credits in Math

         Attendance and documentation of participation in monthly STEM seminars or field trips.

         A portfolio presentation (senior year)

        A minimum of 80% in all courses and consistent attendance (all four years).