CTE: Health and Medical Sciences

This is the first pathway course in the Biotechnology & Health Informatics sequence, and is co-enrolled with the Biotechnology course that is part of the STEM program. The course focuses on various techniques that are used to modify living organisms, or parts of organisms, to improve plants and animals, and the development of microorganisms for specific purposes. Student activities range from bioprocessing and DNA analysis, to medicine, biomechanical systems, and the environment. Students gain insight and understanding about biotechnology career fields. Students will have the opportunity to partner with The George Washington University for special projects.

This is the first pathway course in the Emergency Medical Services sequence, the tasks represent the National and Virginia Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Educational Standards. During the first semester students explore and apply the fundamentals of EMS, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology while demonstrating skills in assessing and managing patient care, including assessing the scene and understanding shock, resuscitation and trauma. During the second semester students build on their knowledge and skills for providing basic life support by focusing on the areas of EMS operations, medical emergencies, and management of special patient populations. Supervised field experience that includes at least 10 patient contacts outside of school hours is required. Students may be required to dress in uniform and additional fees may be required.

Students must complete a minimum of 85% of the didactic and lab aspects of the course, per 12VAC5-31-1501 in the Code of Virginia. Successful completion of all course requirements and instructor endorsement may lead to eligibility to take the Virginia State Psychomotor Exam and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam. Students must meet the requirements of the Functional Position Description for the Basic Life Support Provider (refer to EMS.TR.14B and 12VAC5-31-1501 in the Code of Virginia).

This course is intended for students who have completed Dual Enrollment Emergency Medical Technician I & II, obtained instructor approval, and who may have obtained EMT certification from the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). Students build on the foundations of emergency medical services (EMS) education, and meet education requirements for certification or recertification. Students also learn to coordinate with other public health and safety services, such as fire control, law enforcement, and emergency management. The course includes mentored as well as instructional experiences. Students must complete a minimum of 85% of the didactic and lab aspects of the course.

Students will have the opportunity to explore the importance of safeguarding electronic health care information. Students will explore aspects of health informatics to include the history of health information technology (IT) in the United States, the Electronic Health Record (EHR), telemedicine, ethical and privacy issues, and cybersecurity and data breaches. Students will be introduced to the various technologies and trends that affect the health care industry. Health informatics is a rapidly growing field with a projected 21% increase in demand for workers throughout the state of Virginia from 2014-2024.

This is the introductory course for students in the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy and is offered in partnership with The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences for college credit. This course introduces the student to a variety of health care careers and develops basic skills required in all health and medical Sciences. Topics include: physical therapy, respiratory therapy, dental technician, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, medical assistant, EKG technician, physician and more. Students learn about human needs, theory, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, how to measure vital signs, job skills for success and how to conduct a career search. Field trips include visits to GW, local hospitals and/or other medical related locations. Students may also earn First Aid and CPS certification. Fees are associated with this course.

This is the first pathway course in the medical laboratory sciences sequence. Students gain foundational knowledge and skills appropriate for a variety of  health care career paths in the field of medical laboratory technology. They are introduced to diagnostic and therapeutic laboratory procedures that support medical research and clinical practice. They will also investigate safety, quality assurance, and ethical concerns associated with the field of medical technology. Students may have the opportunity to partner with The George Washington University and participate in the summer immersion program on Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, hosted at their Loudoun campus each year.

Students will build on the foundational knowledge and skills obtained in Dual Enrollment Medical Laboratory Technology I. The students will use the basic principles necessary to perform competently in the areas of hematology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, immunohematology, and immunology/serology. Competency includes correctly performing the procedure techniques, understanding the theory of the procedures, and interpreting the results. Weekly laboratory activities focus on student performance of the routine tests normally seen in the clinical setting. Students will have the opportunity to obtain experience in order to take a Phlebotomy Certification exam. Students may need to be up to date on immunizations, including tuberculosis, in order to work at off site locations. Uniforms and fees may be associated with this course. Students may have the opportunity to partner with The George Washington University and participate in the summer immersion program on Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, hosted at their Loudoun campus each year.

The Medical Terminology course is designed to help students learn common medical terms essential for safe patient care. Topics are presented in logical order, beginning with each body system’s anatomy and physiology and progressing through pathology laboratory tests and clinical procedures, therapeutic interventions, and pharmacology. Students learn concepts, terms, and abbreviations for each topic. This course is offered for dual enrollment credit through NOVA and all students must take this course for college credit.

This is the second foundation course for students in the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy. It is designed to help students learn common medical terms and anatomy essential for upper level academy courses. Topics are presented in logical order beginning with each body system’s anatomy and physiology and progressing through pathology, laboratory tests and clinical procedures, therapeutic interventions, and pharmacology. Students learn concepts, terms, and abbreviations for each topic.

This is the first course in the Nursing pathway sequence. This is the first year of a two year occupational preparation program beginning in the 11th grade level. The curriculum emphasizes the study of nursing occupations as related to the health care system. Students study normal growth and development, simple body structure and function,medical terminology, common disorders and disease,ethical and legal issues, client rights, communication and interpersonal skills, safety and emergency measures, nurse aide role in long-term care, describe health care settings,and infection control. The skills required for this course are handwashing, donning and doffing gowns, mask, goggles, and gloves. Students will also be required to obtain first aid and cpr certification. In the spring, students will explore the various aspects of the nursing profession, including levels of nursing practice, educational requirements, historical implications, and the nursing roles and responsibilities. Students may take field trips to nursing homes and hospitals. This course prepares students for Nurse Aide II which includes the clinical experiences required to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment (NNAAP). Fees may be associated with this course.

This course is the second year of an occupational preparation program, emphasizing advanced skill training in areas such as catheter care, range of motion, bowel and bladder training, end of life care, selected procedures for maternal and infant care, and admission and discharge procedures. Students learn diseases and body systems as related to advanced clinical care of the acute medical-surgical patient, the chronically ill, and the elderly. On-the-job instruction in a licensed nursing home is part of the course. Upon completion of the nurse aide program, the student is eligible to take the nurse aide certification exam that leads to employment as a certified nurse aide in hospitals and nursing homes. Students are required to complete required program hours needed for their licensing exam. During their clinical experience students will be required to be dressed in uniform and adhere to grooming standards. Fees are associated with this course

This is the first pathway course in the pharmacy sequence and is designed to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge to begin work as a pharmacy technician. Course curriculum topics include: exploring the world of pharmacy, the role of the pharmacy technician in a variety of settings, customer service and interpersonal skills, finance, inventory control, leadership skills, medication maintenance, safety, and building a professional career portfolio.The study of Pharmacy Tech may lead to careers in nuclear pharmacy, oncology pharmacy, pharmacoeconomics, pharmacogenomics, pharmaceutical sales, and academia. Within these career fields, jobs can be acquired in retail pharmacies, federal and state institutions, hospital and nursing home pharmacies, HMOs, mail-order pharmacies, and pharmaceutical manufacture. The two-year coursework will fulfill the requirements to take a Board of Pharmacy certification exam.

This is the second pathway course in the pharmacy sequence and is designed to provide students with hands on skills and knowledge to begin work as a pharmacy technician. This course incorporates Dual Enrollment Pharmacy Technician I topics and includes: assisting the pharmacist in serving patients, maintaining medical and inventory control systems, and participating in the administration and management of pharmacy practice. On the job experience in a pharmacy setting is a requirement of the course. Students may need to be up to date on the immunizations, including tuberculosis in order to work at off site locations. Uniforms and fees may be associated with this course. 

This is the first pathway course in the sports medicine sequence; students may earn a certification in First Aid/CPR/AED. The course expands the student's knowledge on topics such as human anatomy and physiology and medical terminology and introduces the topics of nutrition, biomechanics, injuries and illnesses, and legal and ethical issues in sports medicine. Students also examine prospective careers in the sports medicine field. Students may have the opportunity to shadow and assist the ACPS athletic trainers at various events during the school year.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to take the National Academy of Sports Medicine-Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) exam. This course builds upon basic knowledge acquired in Sports Medicine I on topics such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, exercise program design, and injury prevention, assessment, treatment, and management. Students prepare for a career in sports medicine, including completing an internship. Students will have the opportunity to shadow and assist the ACPS athletic trainers at various events during the school year.

This is the first pathway course in the surgical technology sequence; students acquire knowledge of sterile processes and clean, disinfect and distribute sterilized instruments and equipment in health care facilities. Student instruction focuses on work in a sterile processing department and central service location, working as a team to maintain sterilization and storage, learning about microbiology and infection control, and apply principles and practices of sterile processing and decontamination. Students may choose to complete a 400 hour externship, which requires a minimum of 200 hours completion by high school graduation, after which students will be able to take the international certification for sterile processing technicians and hold a provisional certification. Full certification is awarded after completing the full 400 hours and high school graduation.

This is the second course in the Surgical Technology sequences. Students expand on the skills learned in Sterile Processing and gain understanding of the surgical process. This course offers one school year (nine months) of pre-clinical instruction. Students acquire knowledge and assisting-level skills to function in association with licensed nurses and surgeons/physicians, providing the best possible care of the surgical patient. Instruction emphasizes surgical procedures, instruments, sterile processing, cleanliness, asepsis, safety and efficiency in the operating room. Students can transition from this course to an Associate or Certificate program that prepares students to sit for a Surgical Technologist license exam, or pursue an advanced degree. Fees may be associated with this course.

This course introduces the student to a variety of health care careers and develops basic skills required in all health and medical sciences. Topics include physical therapy, respiratory therapy, dental technician, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, medical assistant, EKG technician, physician and more. Students learn about human needs, theory, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, how to measure vital signs, job skills for success and how to conduct a career search. Field trips include visits to local hospitals and/or other medical related locations. Students may also earn First Aid and CPS certification. Fees are associated with this course.