Health Science

The Health Science Program provides the secondary student with orientation, exploration, and preparation into the health care industry. Courses are sequenced to provide continuous student progress toward achievement of a career goal in any of the Health Science pathways. The integration of literacy, numeracy, science, employability, 21st Century skills, and technical skills is a vital component of each course offering.

Why a Health Science Pathway?

Career and Technical Education program offerings should be based on the needs of the community and state—the one occupation needed in all communities across the Commonwealth is health care. Students should have the opportunity to obtain preparation in fields of study that offer the probability of employment once that pathway of courses is completed. Currently, Kentucky joins a nationwide shortage of health care workers. At a time when many industries are downsizing, the health care industry is one of the largest industries in the country with more than 14 million jobs. According to the U.S. Health Workforce Chartbook, these individuals represent approximately 10 percent of the nation’s workforce. Of the top 20 professions projected as “fastest growing occupations” by the Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 11 are health science career pathway occupations. From Personal Care Aides (70%) to Physical Therapists (39%), health occupations make up over 50% of the projected workforce growth.

Health care professionals work in a variety of settings including clinics, laboratories, hospitals, and schools. There are many challenging careers in health care such as biomedical engineer, forensic pathologist, nurse, cardiovascular technician, medical secretary and physical therapist. Combining medical technology and the human touch, the health care industry administers care around the clock responding to the needs of millions of people across the lifespan. More than 460,000 establishments make up the health care industry. Two-thirds of all private health service establishments are offices of physicians or dentists. Although hospitals comprise less than 2 percent of all private health service establishments, they employ nearly 40 percent of all workers.

The number of health care specializations are fueling the overall growth of the industry because of: the Affordable Care Act; an aging population; new forms of information technology; the need for multi-skilled workers; the move toward preventative and primary care; the increase in outpatient surgery; more preventative care in the workplace; a decrease in the number of health care workers in rural and inner city areas; and the exodus of many “mature” workers into other professions or retirement.

Program Requirements

The program shall meet the criteria established by state and national approval/accrediting agencies that certify and/or register the graduates of the program. In a Health Science program, the teacher on record shall be a licensed (active) health care professional in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and meet requirements for teaching in a Career and Technical Education Program area. A teacher of the Medicaid Nurse Aide course must be a Registered Nurse and meet the guidelines as established by the Kentucky Medicaid Program, adhere to a 15:1 student to teacher ratio, and meet the requirements for teaching a Career and Technical Education program area. A recommended list of equipment and supplies and facility guidelines for the program is available.

Work-Based Learning

Work-based learning within the Health Science program may include shadowing, clinical experience, internship, and/or cooperative education. These experiences should be connected to the student’s career pathway. Specific guidelines are outlined in 705 KAR 4:041. Information on other types of work-based learning is described in detail in the Work-Based Learning Manual, which is available on the KDE web page at: http://education.ky.gov/CTE/cter/Pages/WBL.aspx

Specific guidelines for work-based learning relating to the Health Science program include:

• A health science teacher who is licensed in Kentucky as a Registered Nurse must provide clinical supervision for Medicaid Nurse Aide training;
• All Health Science students must be covered by a professional liability insurance plan as required by the affiliating agency;
• All Health Science students must have completed a series of courses approved by the instructor prior to a work-based experience;
• The school shall use the approved standard agreement with each cooperating agency specifying responsibilities and authority of each party to the agreement;
• A “Statement of Understanding” defining student responsibility shall be signed by student and parent or guardian prior to assignment in a clinical area, practicum, or cooperative experience.

Career Pathways Offered

• Allied Health: A general, introductory, undifferentiated, or joint program in health services occupations that prepares individuals for either entry into specialized training programs or for a variety of concentrations in the allied health area. Includes instruction in the basic sciences, research and clinical procedures, and aspects of the subject matter related to various health occupations.

In order for a student to complete this pathway they must complete

• Principles of Health Science
• Emergency Procedures** AND Medical Terminology I*
• Allied Health Core Skills

And Choose 1 from the following

• Medical Math
• Body Structures and Functions OR Anatomy (Science Course)
• Internship: Allied Health

• Pharmacy Technician:A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of pharmacists, to prepare medications, provide medications and related assistance to patients, and manage pharmacy clinical and business operations. Includes instruction in medical and pharmaceutical terminology, principles of pharmacology and pharmaceutics, drug identification, pharmacy laboratory procedures, prescription interpretation, patient communication and education, safety procedures, record-keeping, measurement and testing techniques, pharmacy business operations, prescription preparation, logistics and dispensing operations, and applicable standards and regulations.

In order for a student to complete this pathway they must complete

• Principles of Health Science
• Emergency Procedures AND Medical Terminology I
• Internship: Pharmacy Technician

And Choose 1 from the following

• Medical Math**
• Body Structures and Functions OR Anatomy (Science Course)
• Allied Health Core Skills

• Pre Nursing:A program that prepares individuals for admission to a professional program in Nursing.

In order for a student to complete this pathway they must complete

• Principles of Health Science
• Emergency Procedures** AND Medical Terminology I*
• Medicaid Nurse Aide

And Choose 1 from the following

• Medical Math**
• Body Structures and Functions OR Anatomy (Science Course)

To see the complete Health Sciences program of studies and course descriptions for the 2015-2016 school year click here.

If you have any questions or comments about the pathways or courses offered, email Verna Stacy at the Breathitt County ATC.