WELCOME TO THE ACADEMY OF HEALTH SCIENCE
PRINCIPLES OF HEALTH SCIENCE:
Designed to give an overview of the therapeutic, diagnostic, environmental, and information systems of the health care industry. The course focuses on health careers, exploration, leadership development, ethical and legal responsibilities, the history of health care and the economics of health care. As the foundational course for our Health Science Academy we have also added a Study Skills Unit. Students will then continue with developing health care specific knowledge and skills in effective communications, client care, safety, first aid, and CPR. Students will be certified in Heartsaver AED and First Aid. This course prepares the student for the transition to clinical experiences in health care. It is based entirely in the classroom, with a variety of laboratory activities and guest speakers. Full Year/ Single Class period.
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY:
Designed to develop a working knowledge of the language of medicine. Students acquire word-building skills by learning prefixes, suffixes, roots, and abbreviations. By relating terms to body systems, students identify proper use of words in a medical environment. One Semester/ Single Class period.
HEALTH SCIENCE/ CLINICAL:
Designed to provide for the development of multi-occupational knowledge and skills related to a wide variety of health careers. Students will have hands-on experiences for continued knowledge and skill development. During the first semester the course includes the Texas Nurse Aide Certification Program and AHA Health Care Provider CPR. During the second semester students will be in the classroom one day every other week and at one of the area hospitals two days a week in clinical rotations. Students will reinforce classroom lessons with worksheet packets, lab activities, clinical journals, and research projects. Full year/ Double Block
HEALTH SCIENCE/ ECA:
Students will learn basic first responder skills, including assessment and evaluation until the EMT arrives at the scene. Further topics include infection control, typical emergency scenarios, vital sign assessment, and documentation. The course will also include career preparation, critical thinking and problem solving, safety, and ethical/ legal issues. Classroom Based. Full year/ Single class period.
PRACTICUM IN HEALTH SCIENCE:
An occupationally specific course designed to provide the knowledge and skills for certification as a Pharmacy Technician. During the first semester students will travel to Walgreens for a 6-week internship two days/ week. During the second semester, the students will continue to broaden their clinical experiences in a clinical internship of their choice. And finally, during the last portion of the year, the students will be engaged in the ACC Phlebotomy Technician program. After graduation, they may attend approximately four days as ACC to complete the classroom requirements and then be assigned to 120 hours working in a clinical laboratory, which entitles them to take the National certification exam. After graduation, they are also encouraged to take the National Pharmacy Technician exam. Throughout these curriculums students will develop the advanced clinical skills necessary for employment in a vast array of health care careers. Full year/ Double Block.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY:
Allows students to conduct laboratory and field investigations, using scientific methods during investigations, and making informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students in Anatomy and Physiology study a variety of topics, including the structure and function of the human body and the interaction of body systems for maintaining homeostasis. Full Year/ Single class period
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:
Allows students to conduct laboratory investigations and use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and problem solving. Students study disease processes, and how human systems are affected. Emphasis is placed on prevention and treatment of diseases. Students will differentiate between normal and abnormal physiology. One Semester/ Single Class period.
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY:
Students study the relationships of microorganisms to wellness and disease. They develop knowledge and skills related to disease prevention by learning the chain of infection, asepsis, and standard precautions. Pathogenic and nonpathogenic organisms will be identified to assist in the understanding of specific diseases, causative agents, and treatment options. Allows students to conduct laboratory investigations and use scientific methods. One Semester/ Single Class period.