Health Science

Overview

There are many challenging educational and training opportunities within the high-skilled world of Health Science. Learners need a solid background in math, science, communications, and technical skills. Education and training can be obtained in high schools, technical colleges/institutes and universities.

Along the way, career guidance professionals assist learners in assessing their educational goals, interests, abilities and skills to facilitate a good match to the cluster's many pathway options. Learners participate in relevant educational opportunities framed in the context of the cluster. They gain knowledge and skills through coordinated workplace learning experiences such as site visits, job shadowing and internships. If they choose, they may achieve valuable skill certifications that lead to employment. Colleges and universities offer advanced degrees and industry certifications that prepare learners for professional and technical careers.

This Health Science Career Cluster orients students to careers that promote health, wellness, and diagnosis as well as treat injuries and diseases. Some of the careers involve working directly with people, while others involve research into diseases or collecting and formatting data and information. Work locations are varied and may be in hospitals, medical or dental offices or laboratories, cruise ships, medivac units, sports arenas, space centers, or within the community.

Employment Outlook

Employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 19 percent through 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected due to an aging population and because federal health insurance reform should increase the number of individuals who have access to health insurance.

The median annual wage for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (such as registered nurses, physicians and surgeons, and dental hygienists) is $61,710, which is higher than the median annual wage for all occupations in the economy of $35,540. However, healthcare support occupations (such as home health aides, occupational therapy assistants, and medical transcriptionists) has a median annual wage of $26,440, lower than the median annual wage for all occupations in the economy.

Home health aides are predicted to grow by 38 percent, medical assistants will grow by 23 percent, and physician assistants will grow by 30 percent. The continued growth in both the aging and general population, as well as an increase in several chronic diseases, such as diabetes, will drive the need for more healthcare jobs.

health science-related courses

AP Biology

AP Chemistry

AP Psychology

Chemistry (Regents, Honors)

College Anatomy and Physiology (College Level Course)

Health

Intro to Science Research I*

Intro to Science Research II

Lifespan Studies*

Living Environment (Regents, Honors, NL)*

Medical Science (+ENL)

Physical Education (9/10 & 11/12)*

Principles of Physical Science

Psychology

Science Research III

Senior Internship

Health science-related career and technical education (CTE)

Half-Day Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs: Students have an opportunity to attend programs at Nassau BOCES Barry Tech, the Levittown Gerald R. Claps Career and Technical Center (GC Tech), or The Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA).

Dental Assisting

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Exercise Medicine and Personal Trainer

Health Care Skills

Medical Assisting

Physical Therapy Aide and Rehabilitation Medicine


Nurse Assistant Program (Offered at Hicksville High School, Only)

Hicksville High School offers students an opportunity to enroll in a Nurse Assistant Program offered at Hicksville High School. Students in this 3 period course will develop the skills and understanding needed to care for patients/residents in various healthcare facilities. The nursing assistant’s responsibilities are centered around all bedside care under the direction of the registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). Student nursing assistants will learn patient care skills, infection control principles, safety measures and proper communication techniques, as well as the proper use of all types of equipment used in healthcare facilities. Students will learn about the human body and how to care for patients/residents with various medical conditions. After 2 years, students will have the knowledge and skills necessary to take the New York State Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) exam.

Credit: 4 (distributed credits include: 1 credit English 12, 1 credit Science, 1 credit specialized Math, .5 credit Career and Financial management, .5 credit Health)

Open To: Grades 11-12

health science-related extracurricular activites

Comet Connection: Our club is focused on increasing the school community's awareness about mental health issues, available school & community resources to help those struggling with mental health concerns and forming new friendships amongst our students. The club will also educate students about Mindfulness and other coping skills. Socialization skills will hopefully improve among all members through icebreaker activities and playing board games, etc.

International Outreach Club: The goal is to embrace and celebrate diversity and bring everywhere together for International night.

Natural Helpers:

National Honor Society: NHS does community service while maintaining grades above a 93 GPA, creating leadership within the school and community. We do collections for local organizations, each of the students do their own volunteer projects, we help PTA groups with needs throughout the year, create projects within the school to benefit students, etc.

Science National Honor Society: The Science National Honor Society is the only national organization that engenders a new group of young thinkers who will be the future of industry, research, and scientific exploration for America. The Science National Honor Society recognizes sophomores (In the STEM Track only), juniors and seniors who achieve excellence in the areas of scholarship in science, character, leadership, and service.

Membership in the SNHS is an honor bestowed upon a student for his/her accomplishments in the field of science and overall academic achievement. Students eligible for membership must:

Have been in attendance at Hicksville High School for at least one full semester prior to induction.

Enrolled in an advance (AP or College) science class this current school year.

Have an overall unweighted cumulative GPA of 90 with a 93 unweighted GPA in science classes.

Have a grade of 85 or above in any Regent exam taken.

Took the AP Exam in any AP course they took.

Science Olympiads: Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division. Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Teamwork is a required skill in most scientific careers today, and Science Olympiad encourages group learning by designing events that forge alliances. In Elevated Bridge, an engineering whiz and a kid from wood shop can become gold medalists. Similarly, a talented builder and a student with a good science vocabulary can excel in Write It Do It, one of Science Olympiad's most popular events.


health science-related career cluster pathways

This Cluster Contains The Following Pathways:

Career Pathways are a multi-year program of academic and technical study that prepares students for a full range of postsecondary options within each career cluster. Career pathways provide a context for exploring career options at all levels of education. Career pathways link student learning to the knowledge and skills needed for future education and employment.

Pathway 1: Biotechnology Research and Development

Careers in the Biotechnology Research and Development pathway involve bioscience research and development as it applies to human health. These scientists may study diseases to discover new treatments or invent medical devices used to directly assist patients or to improve the accuracy of diagnostic tests.

Related Careers

Related Majors

Pathway 2: Diagnostic Services

Careers in the Diagnostic Services pathway use tests and evaluations that aid in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries or other physical conditions

Related Careers

Related Majors

Pathway 3: Health Informatics

Careers in the Health Informatics pathway include many different levels of health care related employment. This pathway includes health care administrators who manage health care agencies as well as individuals responsible for managing all patient data and information, financial information, and computer applications related to health care processes and procedures.

Related Careers

Related Majors

Pathway 4: Support Services

Careers in the Support Services pathway provide a therapeutic environment for the delivery of health care. Support Services offers a full range of career opportunities from entry level to management, including technical and professional careers.

Related Careers

Related Majors

Pathway 5: Therapeutic Services

Health professionals in this pathway work directly with patients; they may provide care, treatment, counseling and health education information. Careers in the Therapeutic Services pathway are primarily focused on changing the health status of the patient over time.

Related Careers

Related Majors


For more information,
please visit the Naviance website.