Embedded Files
Academy Information
Academy Information
Established in 1996, the Palmdale High School Health Careers Academy is a comprehensive four-year CTE program serving about 500 students that combines academic courses with clinical instruction. More specifically, the program integrates medicine and technology into common core subjects such as English, science, and social studies while involving students in community service learning projects, job shadowing, and internships in the community. The Health Careers Academy has two primary goals:
To provide all Academy students with an academically rigorous and experientially relevant educational program so they are exposed to and prepared for high-skill, high-wage careers in the health care industry.
To prepare students to succeed in institutions of higher learning, while providing career exploration.
Academy Program Overview
Academy Program Overview
The Academy offers a comprehensive four-year curriculum, combining core academics with increasingly challenging technical instructions in many aspects of the health care professions. Key academic classes that meeting eligibility requirements for admission to the state's colleges and universities are integrated with relevant applications in the health industry and health professions.
The Academy encourages students to take several courses during the summer so that they have more time to take the Health Occupations courses in their junior and senior years.
In the first two years (9th and 10th grade), students are exposed to general occupations in the health care industry and body mechanics with injury management.
The final two years (11th and 12th grade) are dedicated to providing students with as much "hands-on" experience as possible through extensive job shadowing and internships. The Health Occupations course provide students with technical medical expertise through classroom instruction and allow students to apply what they have learned through a series of rotations at various local health care institutions.
Health Industry Partnerships
Health Industry Partnerships
The Academy has built extensive partnerships with the health industry. Partnership sites include the following:
For Rotation Sites – Palmdale Regional Medical Center, Antelope Valley Medical Center, Bartz-Altadonna Community Health Centers, Kaiser Permanente, and L.A. County High Desert Health System.
For Internship Sites - In addition to those listed above, the Academy has also partnered with numerous clinics and healthcare providers in the Antelope Valley, including Valley Orthopedic Institute (VOI), AVORS, Vargo Physical Therapy, AV Family Optometry, High Desert Animal Hospital, Palmdale Urgent Care, Westpoint Physical Therapy, Athletic Injury Management (AIM), DeWald Chiropractic, and many more
Antelope Valley Hospital
Antelope Valley Hospital
Palmdale Regional Medical Center
Palmdale Regional Medical Center
High Desert Regional Health Center
High Desert Regional Health Center
Student Benefits
Student Benefits
As the demands to employ more healthcare providers are expected to grow faster than average for the next decade, the Health Careers Academy continues to train and educate nearly 500 students each year. Students in the Academy benefit in many ways.
Prepare for college
Prepare for college
Enrollment in a four-year, academically rigorous, college-preparatory program
Advanced Placement (AP), honors, and dual enrollment courses as part of the academy pathway
Take advantage of scholarship opportunities, resume building, and college prep workshops
Prepare for careers
Enroll in medical assistant, physical therapy technician, and emergency medical technician courses
Through clinical rotations (job shadowing), explore a variety of jobs within the health care field
Through internships, apply classroom knowledge to assist health care providers in serving patients in medical settings
Earn industry-recognized certifications such as American Heart Association CPR/ First Aid, Stop The Bleed, CERT to name a few
Leadership and competition opportunities against other healthcare-focused high school students through Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) events
Pursue career interests through a vibrant learning community
Be part of a small Academy program that personalizes learning
Join other students and teachers with the same medical interests and goals
Participate in classroom learning that is fun, academically challenging, and engaging through real-world applications
Student Achievement
Students in the Academy demonstrate high levels of academic achievement, as evidenced by:
More than 97% of Health Careers Academy graduates have attended college or university immediately following graduation.
Academy students score up to 20% higher on state exams, such as CA High School Exit Exam (CASHEE) and CA Standards Test (CST).
Certificates
Certificates
As students proceed through the Academy program, they have the opportunity to earn the following certifications, which qualify them for good-paying jobs within the health care industry:
American Heart Association CPR/ First Aid certification
Medication Injection Certification
Stop the Bleed course certification
LA County CERT certification
LA County OSHA, HIPAA, and orientation certificates
LA County DHS medical clearance and volunteer registration
California Certifying Board of Medical Assistants (CCBMA)- course completion certificate upon graduation-
Eligible to sit for state medical assisting certification examination
National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) - Course completion certificate upon graduation-
Eligible to sit for the National Registry EMT certification examination
American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)- Course completion certificate upon graduation-
Eligible to sit for the AMCA Physical Therapy Technician certification examination
For more information, contact:
For more information, contact:
Jared Hefter RRT, CCMA-AC Jayme Wright MS, ATC, CES
Health Careers Academy Coordinator Health Careers Academy Coordinator
jhefter@avhsd.org 661-273-3181 ext 332 jawright@avhsd.org 661-273-3181 ext 341
Page updated
Report abuse