Health Science Course Description

FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH SCIENCE

Credit: 1 unit

Prerequisite:  None

CA:  9th – 10th Grade 

This course is designed to assist potential health care workers in their role and function as health team members.  Topics include terminology, the history of health care, health care agencies, ethics, legal responsibilities, careers, holistic health, human needs, change, cultural awareness, communication, medical math, leadership and career decision-making. English Language Arts and Social Studies are reinforced in this course.  Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) competitive events, community service, leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills to authentic experiences. 

HEALTH SCIENCE I   

Credit:  1 unit

Prerequisite:  None

CA:  10th – 12th Grade 

This course focuses on human anatomy, physiology and human body diseases and disorders, and biomedical therapies.  Students will learn about health care careers within the context of human body systems.  Projects, teamwork, and demonstrations serve as instructional strategies that reinforce the curriculum content.  English Language Arts and Science are reinforced in this course.  Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.  Biology is recommended, but not required as preparation for this course.

HEALTH SCIENCE II

Credit:  1 unit

Prerequisite:  Health Science I

CA:  11th & 12th Grade

This course is designed to help students expand their understanding of financing and trends of health care agencies, fundamentals of wellness, legal and ethical issues, concepts of teamwork and effective communication. Students will learn health care skills, including current CPR and first aid training. English language arts and science are reinforced in this course. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include internship, mentorship, service learning, and job shadowing. Apprenticeship and cooperative education are not available for this course. Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experience.

HEALTH SCIENCE ADVANCED STUDIES

Credit:  1 unit

Prerequisite:  Health Sciences I & II, Public Health or Nursing Fundamentals

CA:  11th & 12th Grade

This culminating course is for juniors and seniors who have earned two technical credits, one of which is a completer course, in one Career Cluster.  The Advanced Studies course must augment the content of the completer course and prepare students for success in transitioning to postsecondary education and future careers.  Students work under the guidance of a teacher with expertise in the content of the completer course in collaboration with community members, healthcare representatives, and other school-based personnel.  The four parts of the course include writing a research paper, producing a product, developing a portfolio, and delivering a presentation.  Students will demonstrate their abilities to use 21st century skills.  DECA (an association for Marketing Education students), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), FFA, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Skills USA, and Technology Student Association (TSA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.

PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDAMENTALS

Credit:  1 unit

Prerequisite:  Health Science I and II

CA:  12th Grade

Adapted from the NC Division of Health Services Regulation, this course is designed to assist future healthcare professionals understand the unique challenges and strategies involved in the delivery of healthcare outside traditional facilities and without traditional supervision structure, and is responsive to overwhelming need for community based healthcare.  Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include virtual job shadowing.  Public Health Fundamentals carries NC Division Health Services Regulation NAI registry endorsement when certain criteria are met.  HOSA competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.

NURSING FUNDAMENTALS HONORS

Credit:  2 units (two blocks in one semester)

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Health Science I and II and honors criteria (see beginning of Career Technical Education section).  Application Process.

CA:  12th Grade 

This course is designed for students interested in medical careers where personal care and basic nursing skills are used.  This course is an enhanced adaptation of the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) Nurse Aide I (NA) curriculum and helps prepare students for the National Nurse Aide Assessment (NNAAP).  Students who pass the NNAAP become listed on the NC NAI Registry.  English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced.  Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include a required 40-hour clinical internship in a long-term care facility.  Healthcare agencies may require testing for tuberculosis and/or other diseases, immunizations must be up to date, and a criminal record check for felonies related to drugs. Students must be able to get to and from clinical sites. HOSA competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.