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Welcome to the Ida B. Wells High School’s Health Occupations Pathway. Coursework in this Pathway is designed to meet the academic, technical, social, and experiential needs of students interested in the medical or health sciences field. Health Occupations Completers leave Ida B. Wells with industry knowledge, applicable skills and numerous certifications, readying them for their post-secondary pursuits.
Introductory Classes
GR 9-12 | 0.5 credits
This dual credit course provides an overview of the health care professions that include employment trends, continued education requirements, ethics, current health issues, and job/career exploration. This comprehensive and exciting course offers a multitude of learning experiences related to life in the medical field. Students will become knowledgeable in the prevention, interaction and care of patients.
Intermediate Classes
GR 10-12 | Prerequisite: Intro to Medicine & Health Occupations
This advanced level, urban emergency response course, will teach you the necessary skills to become certified in Wilderness Search and Rescue. This class also explores the fields of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine. Areas of study include the history of sports medicine & athletic training; organization and administration of sports medicine; emergency procedures; evaluation and treatment of injuries; therapeutic modalities, nutrition, pharmacology and sports psychology.
GR 11-12 | Prerequisite: Intro to Health Occupations
Believe it or not!... The average human blinks over 6,000,000 times each year, sneezes greater than 100 miles per hour, has bones stronger than concrete, becomes paralyzed while sleeping and whose strongest muscle in the body turns out to be the tongue! This class will take you on a tour through the incredible human body and how it works. Along the way we will explore the world of medicine. It is a rigorous course intended for students who enjoy science and will be valuable for those interested in a variety of medical or health science related careers. A major portion of the course will be devoted to laboratory work.
Advanced Classes
GR 12 | Prerequisites: Wilderness First Aid & Sports Medicine, Anatomy & Physiology
This course is designed for students who have completed the other courses in our Pathway and are truly interested in pursuing a career in medicine post-high school. It is a two-tiered approach to provide incredibly valuable experiences and certifications in the medical field. It will also look great on resumes and college applications, plus providing you volunteer hours needed to get into most post-secondary medical programs.
ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAM (fall term)
Are you interested in Athletic Training or Physical Therapy as a career? As Student Athletic Trainers, you will have the opportunity to work with over 15 sports and hundreds of athletes in the training room, practice, and game settings. Your participation in the IBW Student Athletic Trainer Program will allow you to meet and get to know other students, athletes, coaches, administrators, and possibly some area physicians. The program is also a great way to gain valuable and practical athletic training and medical experience, which will be helpful if you are interested in the Athletic Training or Medical field. The coaches and athletes depend on the Athletic Training Staff and your opportunities will include training room duties, practices, game set-up/ take-down, and attendance during games (home and away).
PRE-NURSING (spring term)
Are you looking to springboard into a career as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or physician’s assistant? Do you want a job that will involve caring for and listening to others, often in vulnerable stages of life? The pre-Nursing program will be taught by credentialed nurse instructors with professional experience. Our Pre-Nurse training program delivers an engaging hands-on curriculum that focuses on skills practice, including a clinical experience at a skilled nursing facility, which is conducted under nursing supervision. Learn the skills focused on critical thinking, decision-making, and team concepts while incorporating elements of care and communication/interpersonal skills.
9+ college credits - PCC & OIT dual credit programs
American Red Cross Basic Life Support
American Red Cross First Aid
FEMA Basic Community Emergency Response Team
American Red Cross Blood borne Pathogens
One of the largest industries, healthcare provides 14.3 million living wage jobs
Healthcare will generate 2.3 million new jobs by 2024, more than any other group of occupations
Salaries are projected to increase 19% through 2025, compared to 11% for all industries combined
Average earnings of nonsupervisory workers are higher than average for all private industry