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Course Overview
The Palmdale High School Health Careers Academy offers a comprehensive curriculum through its Body Systems and Disorders course and the Patient Care Pathway (Level 1), where students explore anatomy, physiology, and healthcare fundamentals while developing clinical skills in first aid and medical terminology. This foundation is further expanded in the Medical Assistant Pathway (Level 2), a dual-course track that prepares students for professional roles as clinical and administrative assistants by emphasizing real-world application, career readiness, and the educational requirements for various healthcare pathways.
Patient Care Pathway
Body Systems and Disorders -9th
Body Systems and Disorders introduces students to the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, and healthcare. Students explore how major body systems function and how diseases and injuries affect overall health. They develop basic clinical skills, including first aid and emergency response, while building essential medical vocabulary. The course also provides an introduction to healthcare careers and the education and training required for those pathways.
Course Units:
Unit 1: Health Care Foundations
-Overview of the healthcare system and careers
-Infection control (handwashing, PPE, biohazard safety)
Unit 2: Human Body & Patient Care
-Medical terminology and body systems
-Nutrition and wellness
-Patient assessment and special populations
Unit 3: Basic Clinical Skills
-Vital signs measurement
-First aid, CPR, and emergency response techniques
Unit 4: Clinical Application & Career Exploration
-Practical skill development
-Career research and preparedness activities
Level 1: Medical Science I & Medical Clinical Honors I -11th
-Students in the Patient Care Pathway are enrolled in two complementary, year-long courses that provide a strong foundation in health care knowledge and skills.
-Medical Science I introduces students to human physiology, body systems, and core medical concepts, building an understanding of how the human body functions and how health care is delivered.
-Medical Clinical Honors I focuses on hands-on learning through job shadowing, volunteer experience, and real-world medical applications in clinical settings.
Hands-On Experience
Hands-On Experience
Students gain valuable real-world experience through clinical rotations, job shadowing, lab activities, and 20 hours of volunteer service each semester. These opportunities allow students to apply classroom knowledge, develop practical skills, and explore a variety of health care careers.
Expectations
Students are expected to maintain a C or better in both courses, attend at least 80% of all classes and clinical hours, and actively participate in all assignments, labs, and rotations. Professional behavior, including appropriate dress and respectful conduct, is required at all times.
Level 2: Medical Assistant & Advanced Medical Assistant Clinical -12th
The Medical Assistant Pathway (Level 2) builds on the foundational skills learned in Level 1, preparing students for careers as Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistants. This advanced course emphasizes real-world application, clinical competence, and career readiness.
Students expand their knowledge through:
-Advanced patient care and clinical procedures
-Electrocardiograms (EKG) and medical testing
-Health care laws and standards (HIPAA, OSHA)
-Professional portfolio and career preparation
Successful students are eligible to sit for the California Certifying Board of Medical Assistants (CCBMA) Exam.
Hands-On Experience
Level 2 focuses heavily on real-world training, including:
-Clinical internships in medical settings
-Direct patient care and administrative responsibilities
-Case studies, skill demonstrations, and applied learning
Students are expected to complete required internship hours and meet all professional standards.
Certifications & Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students may earn:
-Medical Assistant Certification (CCBMA eligibility)
-EKG competency certification
-Injection competency certification
-BLS (CPR) certification renewal
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
-Completion of Level 1 courses with a C or better
-Enrollment in required co-requisite courses (Medical Terminology and/or Billing & Coding)
Expectations
Expectations
Students must:
-Maintain a C or better to remain in internships
-Complete all required clinical hours and assignments
-Demonstrate professionalism in all clinical settings
Reliable transportation to internship sites is required.
Skills, Preparation & Program Experience
In this advanced pathway, students refine clinical and administrative skills, strengthen professional communication and patient interaction, and develop career readiness through resumes, interviews, and portfolio development. This experience prepares students for employment and continued education in medical assisting and other health care fields.
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